“The Cookout” (Lion’s Gate Films)
With a cast that includes Tim Meadows, Danny Glover, Farrah Fawcett, Eve and Ja Rule you just know “The Cookout” is going to be a winner. Well don’t count on it! This movie plays to all the worst stereotypes about African Americans and does it with no humor and no taste. Not since “Soul Plane” has there been a movie this offensive.
The film concerns Todd Anderson (Storm P), a young man who is the first pick in the basketball draft. As such he suddenly has the potential to earn big, big money. This news brings forth a slew of hangers on and wanna be friends, as well as a money hungry girlfriend named Brittany (Meagan Good).
Todd buys a new house in an exclusive development. To celebrate his good fortune and new home, he and his family throw a cookout. People from far and wide attend, even the stuck up neighbors next door, the Honorable Judge Crowley and his wife (Danny Glover and Farrah Fawcett).
The Security Guard (Queen Latifah) for the development is stunned by the people she sees pouring in, and is determined to keep the area safe on her watch. There are rules in this development and she plans to see that Todd and his family abide by them all.
One of Todd’s cousins, a cheap thug named Bling Bling (Ja Rule) sees Todd as a potential goldmine. He plans to crash the cookout and find a way to use Todd as a source of income in the future.
Most of the characters in the movie are of poor morals and low intelligence. Only Todd’s mother Em (Jennifer Lewis) and Todd’s childhood friend Becky (Eve) appear to be solid, admirable characters.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
Queen Latifah has certainly fallen from grace since her days as an Oscar nominee for “Chicago.” She is a super talented woman who should not be wasting that talent in such trivial projects as this one is. And the same could be said of anyone and everyone else involved. “The Cookout” is a demeaning look at the African American community and should be avoided by all.
I scored “The Cookout” a charred 3 out of 10.
