Stars:
Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, Dave Chappelle, Aunjanue Ellis,
Neil Patrick Harris, Chi McBride, Billy Dee Williams, and James Brown
Writers:
John Ridley and Michael McCullers
Based
On A Story By: John Ridley
Director:
Malcolm D. Lee
Feature
length: 87 minutes
Extras:
Audio Commentary Tracks From Director Malcolm D. Lee and Star Eddie Griffin,
Alternate Ending, Outtakes, Deleted Scenes, Music Video, Featurette, Bonus
Trailers, Production Notes, Cast and Filmmaker Highlights, Original Shorts That
Inspired The Movie, Trivia Game, DVD-ROM Games, and Links
Languages:
English DTS Digital 5.1 Surround Sound and English and French Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Sound
Subtitles:
English Captions and Spanish Language Subtitles
Packaging:
Keep Case
Chapter
Stops: 20
Sound:
DTS Digital 5.1 Theatrical Surround Sound and Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Year
of Theatrical Release: 2002/DVD Release: 2003
Theatrical
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Home
Video Distributor: Universal Home Entertainment
MPAA
Rating: PG-13
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
Based
on the short series of animated Internet shorts, the live action theatrical
version of “Undercover Brother” stars Eddie Griffin as the latest recruit by
“The B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D,” an organization crusading against “The Man”
and his diabolical organization that is determined to destroy all racial
equality. With Chris Kattan acting under his orders, an African American
Presidential candidate is brainwashed into opening a chicken franchise with
mind-altering poultry. It is up to Undercover Brother to infiltrate “The
Man’s” multinational headquarters and save the world.
“Undercover
Brother” is an entertaining comedy with hilarious performances by Eddie
Griffin, Chris Kattan, and some laugh out loud moments from Dave Chappelle as
“Paranoid Brother,” one of the most memorable characters from the film. Neil
Patrick Harris is a good sport as “the white Intern” at “The
B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D” while Denise Richards Aunjanue Ellis provides some sexy
comedic turns as “White She Devil” and “Sistah Girl” respectively. Billy
Dee Williams appears in the film as “The General” and the great James Brown
appears as himself. If there is one thing that I think could have made
“Undercover Brother” funnier it would have been a more biting satirical
touch, but after viewing the internet animated shorts, which are included on the
DVD, one can see that the live action film remains faithful more or less to the
popular cartoon so I suppose that might be more important as a whole. Be sure to
watch the film through to the end to see additional bonus scenes during the
credits that come and go throughout the roll.
Universal
Home Entertainment’s “Collector’s Edition” DVD of “Undercover
Brother” presents the film with a beautiful anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1)
aspect ratio and a lively English DTS Digital 5.1 Theatrical Surround Soundtrack
as well as an English and French Language Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Soundtrack.
In addition English Captions for the hearing impaired and Spanish Language
Subtitles are encoded on to the dual layered DVD as options. The DTS soundtrack
has a higher fidelity than the Dolby Digital Soundtrack, but both options offer
very good discrete digital theatrical sound experiences as a whole.
Extra
features include the original “Undercover Brother” animated internet shorts
(20:46) from Urban Entertainment presented in a (1.33:1) aspect ratio with an
English Stereo Soundtrack, a letterboxed (1.85:1) alternate ending (2:46)that is
actually more of an extended ending seen during the credits roll. (1.85:1)
Outtakes (4:43) and 16 deleted scenes (29:10) that can be watched individually
or as one reel with or without Director’s commentary are also included along
with a feature length audio commentary track with Director Malcolm D. Lee and
another with Star Eddie Griffith are also encoded on to the DVD. There is also
optional Director’s commentary for the alternate ending.
Snoop
Dogg’s music video for “Undercover Funk (Give Up The Funk),” which
features key cast members from the film in the video and not just scenes from
the film is included along with a soundtrack spot. One can also navigate through
the film by song cues instead of scene selections. There is a behind-the-scenes
featurette (21:55), a trivia game, cast and filmmaker biographies and highlights
as well as onscreen production notes, which are also replicated within in insert
inside the DVD keep case.
The
theatrical trailer (2:26) is presented with a full English Dolby Digital 5.1
Surround Soundtrack as well as a Universal Showcase trailer for “Empire”
(2:28), and a bonus trailer for the Rowan Atkinson comedy “Johnny English”
(1:01) that precedes the film. DVD-ROM users have access to additional
InterActual enhanced web links, games, and more. The main menu is animated with
motion transitions to standard interactive still frames that are easy to
navigate.
As
a whole this DVD is “Solid!” “Undercover Brother: Collector’s Edition:
Widescreen” is available on DVD-Video now from Universal Home Entertainment.
©
Copyright 2003 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.