“White Chicks” (Columbia Pictures)
“White Chicks” is a comedy starring Shawn and Marlon Wayans, and directed by Keenan Ivory Wayans. In other words it is a Wayans family production in every way, and it shows on the screen with rapid-fire jokes and solid acting. It is not a film aimed at everyone but for many it will be a fun way to spend two hours at the movies.
Kevin and Marcus Copeland (Shawn and Marlon Wayans) are FBI agents, but their track record is not outstanding. Their boss, Chief Gordon (Frankie Faison), is just about ready to fire them, and their rivals Gomez (Eddie Velez) and Harper (Loclyn Monroe) are coming out on top. Plus Marcus’ wife Gina (Faune Chambers) is tired of playing second fiddle to his job.
The guys get their last chance when they are assigned to protect society darlings Brittany and Tiffany Wilson (Maitland Ward and Anne Dudek) during a weekend at the Hamptons. But on the way there, they have a slight wreck and the girls get hysterical over some minor facial scratches. So the Copeland brothers get into full body makeup and makeover to impersonate the sisters. Yes the black brothers become two white chicks!
The rest of the movie is like one scene after another from “Some Like It Hot” told with a modern twist. Being a woman is not easy for these all male FBI agents. They have to cope with thing underwear, an aggressive male who wants to date one of them, and a bevy of girlfriends who want to shop till they drop. It is an exhausting time and they still have to keep an eye out for kidnappers.
The makeup effects in this movie are top notch with the Wayans being as convincing as women as Robin Williams was as “Mrs. Doubtfire.” These guys really get into it and play their roles to the hilt. Jaime King and Brittany Daniel add some spice as two rivals of the Wilson girls who plan to make their lives as miserable as possible.
The movie is rated PG-13 for profanity and sexual situations.
With the premise being what it is you expect there may be some crude humor thrown in to make it even funnier, and there are a few scenes that border on the crude. But overall the movie goes for the high road rather than the more obvious lower one.
The movie runs a little too long at two hours and ten minutes, but that is only a slight quibble. The acting and the comedy pretty much sustain the fun from beginning to end. The Wayans know how to make a movie laughable and likeable and this one is that from start to finish.
I scored “White Chicks” a snobby 6 out of 10.
