"Be Cool"

Reviewed by Chris Cappola
Starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Vince Vaughn, The Rock, Harvey Keitel, James Woods, Andre 3000, Christina Milian, Cedric the Entertainer and Danny De Vito. Directed by F. Gary Gray. (2005, MGM)

'Be Cool' is an example of an underqualified director in a world that's too big for his shoes. It's like giving a kid a big toy and watching him ruin it to pieces because he doesn't know how to play with it. Director F. Gary Gray is helplessly lost with this mess of a sequel that isn't focused, isn't funny, isn't well-written or its cast not used properly. It's becoming a common omen with sequels these days - it can't measure up to its predecessor. 'Be Cool' is the latest to tarnish the reputation of a far stronger film.

The real question is, was there ever a necessity to a sequel to 1995's 'Get Shorty?' Not a bad little film, it wasn't a massive hit and not overly memorable. But then the only similarities between the two films is John Travolta's character and well, maybe Danny De Vito's cameo. 'Be Cool' is trying to inject everything that's hip about movies in the last 10 years and it's a crashing mess. Hollywood is a fun idea, but this film just hops from one idea to the next that it doesn't make much sense. What else can you say about a film that's a cross between 'Pulp Fiction' and 'Honey'? Not much.

'Be Cool' is all about the marketing. The casting is so precise to ensure it hits every demographic audience possible. First to the plot, Chilli Palmer (John Travolta) is taking a break from the movie biz to concentrate on the music industry and of course, everyone wants a piece of fame. The cast all have their purpose - not to the plot but to the marketing geniuses who have to try and make this film a hit. Let us have a look: the 'Pulp Fiction' connection - John Travolta and Uma Thurman do an unnecessary dance sequence. Why? To echo a more memorable and far better film. Also, is Harvey Kietel's inclusion a coincidence? You got Vince Vaughn in there to bring in the teens that drove to 'Dodgeball'… wasn't Ben Stiller available? Then there's Cedric the Entertainer who can bring in his fanbase of urban fans. Christina Milian, Andre 3000, Steven Tyler… to bring in their fanbases… You've also got Danny De Vito and James Woods in barely cameo roles, The Rock in a funny part that's a little confusing and the assortment of cameos ranging from Seth Green to Gene Simmons, Black Eyed Peas and even Anna Nicole Smith. All else we needed was Samuel L. Jackson, Donald Trump, Fred Savage and Britney Spears and we've got ourselves a great party.

The problem with 'Be Cool' is that there is too much cast and not enough to go around. The plot is thin and sure some of the jabs at the industry are funny, but it's nothing new. It also seems like a shameless excuse to boost Christina Milian's singing career… why all the scenes of her singing an entire song and having us watch Travolta, Thurman and others head-bop to the song. F. Gary Gray's direction is unfocused, amateurish and severely uneven. It is messily edited, badly structured and drags on a little too much. This is a surprise since the director's last film was 'The Italian Job', which was a sharp, crafty little thriller. Perhaps he was too intimidated by the large cast?

The large cast as you would expect are not used to their full potential. John Travolta seems bored and is sleepwalking through this role. Uma Thurman is equally boring. Together these two don't ooze chemistry; they are a sedative for insomnia. I am not a fan of Harvey Keitel and Cedric the Entertainer, but they are tolerable. Christina Milan is pretty and gives it her best, but it's not much of a role. Andre 3000 of 'Outkast' is funny in small doses. Forget Danny De Vito and James Woods - they must have worked for one day. That leaves us with Vince Vaughn in yet another of his great recent performances and The Rock in a surprisingly funny turn. Both are the best of a weakly used cast. The Rock isn't too interesting in drama, comedy is a better fit. 'Get Shorty' actors Gene Hackman and Rene Russo along with De Vito in a larger role are sorely needed and would have been better than say their replacements Uma, Harvey, Cedric etc.

'Be Cool' is yet another disappointing sequel and it's forming a dangerous precedent in Hollywood - surely not to be challenged by 'Miss Congeniality 2' in a few weeks time. It doesn't feel right, there's no magic, no charisma and no charm that made 'Get Shorty' a gem. A few funny scenes aside most of them involving Vaughn and The Rock, the film tries to inject everything from Urban gangs, Russian Mafia, the music biz, Hollywood and it's all a mess. It's the aftermath of a massive party - how do you clean up such rubbish? 'Be Cool' is far from a bad movie, it's just a very disappointing one. F. Gary Gray is out of his league. Don't let a kid do a grown up's job.
out of 10
- Chris Cappola's Reviews

Moviemarshal.com home