June 4, 2002 -- "Undercover Brother" is an effective spoof of films of the 1970s like "Shaft," the James Bond films, kung-fu films and others. Like the "Austin Powers" films it features a hero who is a throwback to those earlier times, complete with a large Afro and an even bigger Cadillac.

Undercover Brother is played with a lot of style by Eddie Griffin of "The Mod Squad"). He never loses his cool unless someone messes with his 'Fro. He is blissfully unaware that he is way out of style. Jackson is recruited by the secret black organization "B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D." to investigate a plot to derail the presidential campaign of General Boutwell (played by Billy Dee Williams). On the eve of his announcement that he is a candidate, the Colin Powell-like Boutwell suddenly announces instead that he plans to open a chain of fast food chicken restaurants. The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. suspects fowl play and they are right. Undercover Brother is given the usual array of spy gadgets by Smart Brother (Gary Anthony Williams of "Malcolm in the Middle" TV series), including real elevator shoes and a watch that dispenses hot sauce so he can withstand Caucasian food.

There are numerous references to film stars of the 1970s such as Richard Roundtree, Pam Grier, Bruce Lee, Sean Connery and many others. One of the funniest scenes involves a cat fight in a shower between Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis of "Men of Honor") and the so-called "Black Man's Kryptonite," Penelope Snow (Denise Richards of "The World is Not Enough"). The catfight can be seen on the film's website linked below. In addition to numerous sight gags (like the elevator shoe escape) there are some good social insight jokes as well. Some of the characters, like B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. boss "The Chief" (played by Chi McBride of "Gone in 60 Seconds") are intentionally overplayed for fun. The Chief's arbitrary temper tantrums mock the similar tantrums by just about every sour police captain in the movies.

The screenplay is smartly written by John Ridley ("Three Kings") and Michael McCullers ("Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me"). There are a lot of laughs to be found in this film. Unfortunately, some of the jokes also fall flat, but there are more hits than misses. Director Malcolm D. Lee (cousin of Spike Lee) does a good job with the pace and comic timing for the most part. The film does have less gross-out humor than most modern comedies. I noticed only one gross scene, which unfortunately included a man's backbone being torn from his body. Still, sad to say, this film is a lot more tasteful than most modern comedies of this ilk. Coincidentally, there are a couple of alumni of the film "Starship Troopers" in the cast, Denise Richards and Neil Patrick Harris, who plays Lance, the token white guy in the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. Escaping that disaster of that film is like escaping a black hole. Likewise "Undercover Brother" was lucky to escape mediocrity, despite having Chris Kattan of "Corky Romano" and "A Night at the Roxbury" in the cast. Kattan, who plays the evil Mr. Feather, is usually the kiss of death to a film, but he's not too bad in this one.

When "Undercover Brother" is good it is right on, but sometimes it just bumbles along. While the jokes are hit and miss that funky music on the soundtrack always hits the spot. It also doesn't hurt to have even a short James Brown performance thrown in. Some music clips from the film can be found at the film's website linked below. This film rates a C+.

Click here for links to places to buy this movie in video and/or DVD format, the soundtrack, books, even used videos, games and lots of other stuff. I suggest you shop at least two of these places before buying anything. Prices seem to vary continuously. For more information on this film, click on this link to The Internet Movie Database. Type in the name of the movie in the search box and press enter. You will be able to find background information on the film, the actors, and links to much more information.