[yasr_overall_rating]
As their surrounding community has taken a turn for the worse, the crew at Calvin’s Barbershop come together to bring some much needed change to their neighborhood.
Usually, the third installment in a trilogy of films is predictable and often overrated. Most times this is a result of developing a relentless production schedule that doesn’t allow for enough time to pass in order to create a longing for the material and a void for the niche that this type of film creates. Director Malcolm D. Lee is familiar enough with the process that he knows just how to balance the timing so the audience is appreciative of the 10 year gap since “Barbershop 2: Back in Business,” and excited about the new developments in the story that keep it interesting and relative. With the original Barbershop owner Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) still in slay mode as actor, and now producer, an air of familiarity makes it believable and easy to follow the story of a local barber whose shop is ground zero for addressing the social ills of the community that surrounds it while at the same time absorbing the conflict within its own walls. While the diverse cast also includes original member and Calvin’s father, Eddie (Cedric The Entertainer), new members bring additional controversy and an equal amount of balance.
Fast forward ten years and Calvin’s original haven for men is now co-ed due to his partnership with local beautician Angie (Regina Hall) who has infiltrated the space with a cagle of socially conscious women who want to be recognized and appreciated for all they have to offer. While the men don’t quite agree with having females in their space, they seem to be intrigued by the additional conversation and shenanigans that come with the territory. Speaking of territory, there seems to be a never-ending turf battle between two gang leaders who just so happen to hang out in the same place to get their hair cut. When a mix-up in scheduling finds them in the shop at the same time, all hell breaks loose until Calvin smoothes things over by re-scheduling one and pacifying the other. Even more trouble brews when Calvin’s son Jalen (Michael Rainey, Jr.) becomes friendly with fellow barber Rashad’s (Common) son and both become junior recruits for one of the street gangs that is wreaking havoc in the community. Calvin practically loses his wit until the styling team comes up with a plan for a 48 hour reprieve from senseless violence in the neighborhood. The entire shop’s staff puts all hands on deck and masterfully executes the plan until the eleventh hour when Calvin’s own protege is gunned down in a senseless act of violence. After Calvin loses his will to continue the fight of taking back his community and regaining control of his own son, the barbershop team pleads with him to give it one more chance and hang tough until they all get what they rightfully deserve.
In the end, the co-ed team is victorious in regaining their place in the community and mending broken relationships amongst one another that threatened the demise of all the support that each had to offer their families, friends, community and each other. A list of talented celebrities such as Eve, Nicki Minaj, Anthony Anderson and Tyga help to round out and support this truly talented cast of actors who make this incredible story realistic, relative, humorous and entertaining. All egos aside, this type of community involvement makes for a win-win situation in a socially conscious effort that never departs from the fact that all lives matter.
In theaters April 15th
