Undercover Brother (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
by Malcolm D. Lee
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DVD Cover Information
Actor: Aunjanue Ellis, Chris Kattan, Dave Chappelle, Denise Richards, Eddie GriffinDirector: Malcolm D. Lee
Brand: Universal Studios
Producer: Bill Carraro
Producer: Brian Grazer
Producer: Damon Lee
Producer: Dana Robin
Producer: John Ridley
Writer: John Ridley
Writer: Michael McCullers
DVD: Region Code 1
Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; Spanish (Subtitled); English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1; French (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1
Format: Closed-captioned, Collector's Edition, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
Picture Format: 1.85:1
Running Time: 86 minutes
DVD Release Date: 2003-01-14
Audience Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
Studio: Universal Studios
Product features:
- Condition: New
- Format: DVD
- Closed-captioned; Collector's Edition; Color; Dolby; DTS Surround Sound; DVD; Subtitled; Widescreen;
Movie Reviews of Undercover Brother (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
Movie Review: Best "Blaxploitation" Movie Since "I'm Gonna Git You Sucka"
Summary: 5 Stars
As a big fan of the "Blaxploitation" genre of film (Shaft, Sweet Sweetback's Badaaasss Song, Cleopatra Jones, Dolemite, Superfly, et al), I was somewhat concerned when I first saw the previews for Undercover Brother. I thought that maybe it would be a somewhat weak and watered-down film that wouldn't really do the genre "justice" (if you can consider a genre that portrays African Americans in a stereotypical manner--albeit in a celebratory and heroic mode--to be deserving of justice). In other words, I was afraid that this would be a "whitewashed" Blaxploitation film, if you take my meaning.However, my fears were assuaged once I actually saw the film. While UB certainly does portray various stereotypes of African Americans--as well as Anglo Americans, for that matter--it does so in a manner that I feel is consistent with the true spirit of the "Blaxploitation" genre. In other words, Undercover Brother (Eddie Griffin) plays the role of the stereotypical 70's soul daddy/funkateer/love machine/badass who, while perhaps being a comical-looking character, is also a true Hero who inspires and promotes a strong sense of right and wrong, justice, and a dedication to social equality for African Americans (and for all people, really).
Undercover Brother is concerned about the injustice and oppression that African Americans face and actively engages in a struggle for their betterment, as well as the betterment of all people--of any color--who suffer as a consqeunce of the "powers that be". In this case, the "powers that be" (hilariously) is an Anglo American individual known simply as "The Man".
The Man leads an evil organization that is deterimined to marginalize African Americans and to diminish their contributions to American society, perceiving (accurately) that many Anglo Americans feel a strong attraction to what is offered by African American popular culture, and that Anglo American culture is thereby being pervasively influenced by African Americans. This is completely unacceptable to The Man, and for that reason African American contributions and civil rights must be 'rolled back' through the machinations of his organization, so as to prevent any further influence on Anglo American culture by African Americans.
Throughout the film, stereotypes are juggled and toyed with constantly--enough to keep any student of American popular culture entertained from start to finish. The wordplay is excellent, all of the actors deliver great performances, and by the end of the film there's a true feeling that, whatever our differences, the possibility exists that we truly all can "just get along", and more importantly, respect one another--even if we're as "vanilla white" as Lance, the Anglo American intern, or "Too funky for myself" as Undercover Brother. A great film, and to me, a great message. Much, much more than a "Black Austin Powers", and far more relevant.
Summary of Undercover Brother (Widescreen Collector's Edition)
UNDERCOVER BROTHER - DVD MovieBlaxploitation movies deserve a good spoofing, and Undercover Brother tweaks the subgenre with a few good laughs. But what might have been an Afro-centric Austin Powers (adapted by John Ridley from his Internet film series) is instead a lackluster comedy with one basic joke: "Whitey"--personified as a faceless corporate despot known as "the Man"--has the power, but black folks have soul. With enough funk to make Shaft look passé, Eddie Griffin plays "U.B." with an oversized 'fro and a firm grasp of comedic possibilities. He's recruited by the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. (an all-black justice league) to foil the Man's plan to derail a Colin Powell-like presidential candidate (Billy Dee Williams), and U.B.'s undercover exploits keep the slim plot moving. Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris are gamely ridiculed as token white allies, and it's all in good fun as director Malcolm D. Lee (Spike's cousin) finds room for mild jolts of relevant social commentary. --Jeff Shannon