Next Friday

MPAA Rating: R

Entertainment: +2 1/2

Content: -4

In the 1995 film FRIDAY, Craig (Ice Cube) beat the neighborhood bully, Debo (Tommy Tiny Lister Jr), who was sent to prison. This sequel begins with word that Debo has escaped and is looking for revenge. Craig is sent to the suburbs where his Uncle Elroy (Don DC Curry) and cousin Day-Day (Mike Epps) bought a home with their lottery winnings. But the suburbs prove to be just as dangerous as the projects when a gang of Hispanic drug dealers take over the neighbors house. And having spent most of his winnings, Elwood has to come up with delinquent property taxes in 24 hours. This sometimes humorous, fish out of water survivial tale will attract teen fans, but doesnt have much staying power.

Unfortunately, characters in comedy films are usually based on stereotyped personalities and quite often the stereotype reflects or exaggerates negative traits. But even stereotypes have good qualities. Day-Day points out that after taxes and legal fees, the lottery winnings only covered paying for the house and a car. And he also tells Craig to get a job since everyone who lives there works. Craig seems to feel responsible about helping his cousin and uncle, but thats where the good traits end. All the characters seem fond of smoking marijuana, except Craigs father who works for animal control. He spends the movie with dog dung smeared on his backside. Flatulence sounds are also considered humorous. And typical of teen drug films, the dialogue is swamped in obscenities and profanity. Comments or scenes also frequently allude to sex although most activity is suggestive rather than graphic. Although gun threats are made, the violence is limited to some fistfights and hitting with sticks. Sadly, the stereotyped behaviors portrayed by popular actors reinforce negative conduct by impressionable fans. But the flood of verbal filth and condoned drug abuse alone is enough to take NEXT FRIDAY off the social calendar.

Preview Reviewer: Paul Bicking
Distributor:
New Line Cinema. 888 7th Ave., 20th Flr, NY, NY 10106

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: Many (122) times - Mild 44, moderate 78

Obscene Language: Many (185) times - F-word 90, s-word 82, other 13

Profanity: Several (6) times - Regular (GD)

Violence: Several times - Moderate (fist fight - blood spurts from mouth, kicks, girl sprays mace on man, slaps, dog chases/attacks man, gun threats, men hit with board/ flower pots)

Sex: Few times, implied by sounds

Nudity: Few times (female breast and rear in photos/posters, male rear - thong underwear); Near Nudity - Several times (low cut/ tight fitting clothes, male in thong underwear)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: References to masturbation, pornographic magazines viewed, aunt grabs nephews bottom, , condom taken out of pool, woman passes out with head in mans lap, sensual dancing, cabinet full of sex toys, sexual bondage equipment seen/used

Drugs: Many times - Marijuana smoked, marijuana brownie fed to dog, reference to drug use, beer drinking

Other: Dog shown defecating, man falls in excrement, older oriental woman spouts obscenities, flatulence sounds, dog mounts mans leg, man steals money from drug dealers

Running Time: 84 minutes
Intended Audience: Older teens and adults


Click HERE for a PRINTER-FRIENDLY version of this review.