The creative spirit hasn't entirely left the Muppets, but it sure seems like it's gone into hibernation. Perhaps The Next Muppet Movie, which promises a wealth of popular culture gags, will reconnect with the late Jim Henson's creative spirit.
RATING: **
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Director: Rick Famuyiwa Screenplay: Rick Famuyiwa Story: Rick Famuyiwa and Todd Boyd Starring: Omar Epps, Taye Diggs, Richard T. Jones, Sean Nelson, Duane Finley, Trent Cameron, Malinda Williams, Tamala Jones, Cynthia Martells, Telma Hopkins Running Time: 107 minutes Studio: Paramount MPAA Rating: R |
Two friends (Omar Epps, Richard T. Jones) try to get a third friend (Taye Diggs) back to his own wedding after he disappears in The Wood, written and directed by Rick Famujiwa. The script, based on a story by Famujiwa and Todd Boyd, uses flashbacks to show how the guys meet in 1986 and grow up in Inglewood, California, a suburb of Los Angeles. They manage to avoid the gangs -- "Either you're a gangbanger or you play ball," Slim tells Mike when they first meet -- the drugs, and all the wrong choices.
That's what makes the script so fresh -- no gangsta (save a couple of wannabes), no drugs (save one funny sequence about marjuana), and no players. Though seen from an African-American perspective, the movie avoids the usual Hollywood clichés, except for terminally-horny teenagers constantly in search of booty.
The guys find Roland (Diggs) drunk at his former girlfriend's place, scared of the wedding and attempting to hook up with Tanya (Tamala Jones). While they sober him up, the three reminisce about junior high and high school days, and the constant bets they made. In fact, their first bet involved a dollar, Mike's hand, and the butt of the prettiest girl in school, Alicia (Malinda Williams). He wins the buck, but he wins a whippin' from Alicia's brother, Stacey (De'aundre Bonds), one of the wannabe gangbangers. Does he learn? Of course not -- other bets follow through the years, including one bet that will sound strangely familiar. (Hint: American Pie.)
Both sets of actors playing Mike, Slim and Roland (Epps, Jones, and Diggs / Sean Nelson, Duane Finley, and Trent Cameron) have great energy and chemistry. Famujiwa's screenplay is warm and sweet without becoming objectionable. I did have one problem -- Epps talking straight to the camera (he narrates the movie), and Slim asking him who he's talking to. The joke is used twice, and makes the gimmick seem too -- well -- gimmicky. Nevertheless, The Wood is a welcome change from 'hood pictures like I Got The Hookup or sex farces like How To Be A Player and Trippin'.
