"Once folks started hanging out at the barbershop, they never wanted to leave. Chances are you won't, either." Phil Villarreal ARIZONA DAILY STAR "The banter between Calvin and his fellow barbers feels like a streetwise McLaughlin Group ... and never fails to entertain." Tor Thorsen REEL.COM As warm as it is wise, deftly setting off uproarious humor with an underlying seriousness that sneaks up on the viewer, providing an experience that is richer than anticipated." Kevin Thomas LOS ANGELES TIMES "What makes Barbershop so likable, with all its flaws, is that it has none of the pushiness and decibel volume of most contemporary comedies." Charles Taylor SALON.COM "Towers head and hairpiece above much of what passes for urban comedy these days." Marc Savlov AUSTIN CHRONICLE

Amid the new populist comedies that underscore the importance of family tradition and familial community, one would be hard-pressed to find a movie with a bigger, fatter heart than Barbershop." Jan Stuart NEWSDAY "Entertains by providing good, lively company." Susan Stark DETROIT NEWS "The movie's quiet affirmation of neighborhood values gives it an honest, lived-in glow." A.O. Scott NEW YORK TIMES "A genuinely funny ensemble comedy that also asks its audience -- in a heartwarming, nonjudgmental kind of way -- to consider what we value in our daily lives." Sean Piccoli SOUTH FLORIDA SUN-SENTINEL "Ice Cube, as usual, is an appealing presence, but the rest of the cast shines as well." Connie Ogle MIAMI HERALD "Like a veteran head cutter, Barbershop is tuned in to its community." Sean O'Connell ECLIPSE MAGAZINE

At A Glance It would be so easy to overlook, to even dismiss this film "Barbershop" and why not. Thrown in the deepend with sharks like "The Matrix Reloaded" and "Phone Booth" taking the biggest bites at the wallets of cinema-goers and ringing up big sales at the box office, I mean who even notices what else is out there at a time like this. But by the time the feeding frenzy on the 'big' films is over it may be too late for a raft of films including "Barbershop". The distributors aren't going to spend money promoting these films and who could blame them, after all their in business to make money, not to give it away. And if they're not interested in spending their money on their product well, the cinemas aren't about to push them either, and that is a real pity. So how do you find out about some of these 'little gems' as I like to call them. Well, if I come across one I'm sure as hell gonna tell you. Of ourse you can always do a search on the internet otherwise you'll just have to read the reviews in your local newspapers entertainment section.
"Barbershop" is a likeable film to say the very least. The characters, the dialogue, the setting, the humour and the social concience of this film make it an excellent watch. I had the chance [thanks to the guys at Greater Union Megaplex Marion] to see this at the first night session screening. Yes I'd heard about it, yes I'd read about it but I really wanted to sit and see this one with a paying audience. Lets get real here folk, I mean, 'Ice Cube' in the lead, Eve in her debut feature film, a "Barbershop", the possibility of 'rap' music for a soundtrack, a film full of 'brothers' jivin the jive, it would most probably send the alarm bells ringing for some-one less hardened than yours truly and instantly go on the "let's find another film, honey" list. But wait up, whoa there nellie! Shock, horror, the longer "Barbershop" ran, the louder the shrieks were coming from a small but very vocal audience. This was turning out to be a "lather of laughs and hair-larious fun" [I know, I'm a bloody smart arse]. The story was good, the cast just great and the laughs come thick and fast. Sure most who go to see this will do so because they're young and know 'Ice Cube' and 'Eve' from the video hits shows airing on television, but if your not hip, your not with it, your totally chilled [or what ever they say these days], don't be hasty and write "Barbershop" off. No it's not, and I always qualify some of these small films by saying this, a bloody big smash hit production, but it is witty, funny and [if you let yourself go] very entertaining. Say in the range of 3 1/2 - 4 star range [a system I never use by the way but in this case I will]. One cast member many will recognise is Anthony Anderson who appears as JD. He is a show stealer and his character provides a belly load of laughs. So, if you're looking for something different, something fun but you don't need a haircut, what the heck, spend some time with Calvin, Eddie, Jimmy, Terri, Ricki, Lester, Billy, Jennifer & JD at the "Barbershop". But hurry, this could disappear quicker than your hair does when they run a number two over it. A little gem which is Highly Recommended. The Story Calvin has come up with another get rich scheme and Jennifer is not impressed. She has heard it all before. But whatever Calvin decides he has her full support. But Calvin already has a thriving business, if only he'd put the same effort into it as his father did. He has inherited a "Barbershop" from his father. But this is not any old "Barbershop" but one which has become an icon and a landmark on the southside of Chicago. Faced with a mounting debt he is forced to turn to local businessman Mr Wallace who is eager to get his seedy hands on the business. The wiley old fox has big plans for the "Barbershop" but it doesn't involve cutting hair. Now Calvin is having second thoughts. Having taken Mr Wallaces money, he starts to see the "Barbershop" for what it really is. Is there any turning back? Can he convince Mr Wallace that the deals off? It's turning out to be a very long day for Calvin. What can he do? The Verdict "It's hairlarious. A lather of laughs. A great cast, witty dialogue and a feel good ending, that's "Barbershop" starring Ice Cube, Eve, Cedric the Entertainer,Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity, Leonard Earl Howze and Anthony Anderson. "Barbershop" is a terrific comedy with a big beautiful heart and a wonderful soul. If you like your films black, funny and good value then head on down to the "Barbershop", a seriously funny film." The Cast & Crew

Ice Cube Anthony Anderson Cedric the Entertainer Sean Patrick Thomas Eve Troy Garity Michael Ealy Leonard Earl Howze Keith David Jazsmin Lewis Lahmard Tate Tom Wright Jason George DeRay Davis Sonya Eddy Saralynne Crittenden Jasmine Randle Naomi Young Armstrong Marcia Wright Lorenzo Clemons

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Calvin Palmer JD Eddie Jimmy James Terri Jones Isaac Rosenberg Ricky Nash Dinka Lester Wallace Jennifer Palmer Billy Detective Williams Kevin Hustle Guy Janelle Big Mamma Gabby Grandma Angry Young Woman Bank Manager

Directed by Tim Story Screenplay by Mark Brown From a story by Mark Brown Cinematography by Tom Priestley Jr Film Editing by John Carter Casting by Felicia Fasano & Mary Vernieu Production Design by Roger G Fortune Art Direction by Gary Baugh Set Decoration by Patricia Schneider Costume Design by Devon P F Patterson Rated M15+ [AUST] Run Time 102 minutes Copyright ©2003 - Metro Goldwyn Mayer - All Rights Reserved Copyright©2003 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved