Be Cool is a lukewarm sequel to an overrated original

Thursday, March 10, 2005

Boasting a smorgasbord of Hollywood talent, Be Cool is a rather tepid comedy with just enough charm to be passable. Its a film with a lot of problems, but there is just enough star power to make it much more entertaining than most of this years dreadful batch of comedies.

The followup to the 1995 hit Get Shorty, Be Cool begins with former mob-guy-turned-movie-mogul Chili Palmer (John Travolta) bored with the film industry and looking for other business opportunities.

Such an opportunity arrives in the form of Linda Moon (Christina Milian), an ambitious young singer stuck under contract with a gangsta wannabe manager (Vince Vaughn) and a sleazy record executive (Harvey Keitel).

Despite her contractual obligations, Palmer becomes intent on helping Moon and enlists the help of the widow of a music executive (Uma Thurman) to assist him.

Adapted from Elmore Leonards novel, Be Cool is full of colorful characters, including Cedric the Entertainer as a hip-hop producer and former WWE wrestler The Rock as a gay bodyguard who aspires to get in the movie business. The film does have a tongue-in-cheek mentality that works well for director F. Gary Grays laid-back style.

Vaughn and The Rock have the best moments, including a scene in which the bodyguard performs a monologue from the cheerleading movie Bring it On. Travolta seems to be having a good time reprising his role as Palmer and having him reunite on the dance floor with Pulp Fiction co-star Thurman is a lot of fun.

Still, there really isnt much substance here. Although I liked Get Shorty, I think in retrospect its slightly overrated.

But Shorty did have a little more depth than Be Cool, which feels like it was designed as nothing more than a way for a lot of people to work in a film together. It also doesnt help that we are practically force-fed Milians singing talents with three musical numbers a feat that makes Beyonces recent Oscar trifecta seem understated in comparison.

With plenty of flaws, I wouldnt be surprised if this film has its fair share of detractors. I can see their point, and bashing this film would be easy, it just wouldnt be cool.

Discount dud of the week

This weeks discount dud is National Treasure (D), the highly popular, yet highly stupid Jerry Bruckheimer action film.

National Treasure stars Nicolas Cage as Ben Gates, a treasure hunter in hot pursuit of a mythical treasure that dates back to the Revolutionary War.

His quest eventually leads to the Declaration of Independence (because after all, if you want to hide a treasure map why not do it on a national document), but rival hunters are in hot pursuit.

Directed by Jon Turteltaub, National Treasure is nothing but a series of silly stunts and chases that just rush by in highly unlikely fashion.

Cage just seems like he is going through the motions, while the films best performance comes from Justin Bartha as Gates wise-cracking sidekick.

Bartha now has a resume that includes this mess and Gigli. At least National Treasure is a step up, but Bartha should consider finding a new agent.

National Treasure opens Friday at the Plaza 6, where all movies are $1.50.

Sportswriter/movie reviewer Micheal Compton has just returned from his Texas quest to find a movie theater that featured valet parking and waiters who provided free refills of popcorn and sodas on demand. You can e-mail him at mcompton@bgdailynews.com to talk about his reviews, but be warned. Hes still depressed that his quest came up empty.  Daily News ·813 College St. ·PO Box 90012 ·Bowling Green, KY ·42102 ·270-781-1700