Soul Plane (R, 2004)

After a horrific flying experience, Nashawn Wade (Kevin Hart) sues the uptight, white airline and sets out to make a difference with his $100 million settlement. He starts "NWA", the first airline aimed broadly at African Americans, but more particularly at "playas". Nashawn joins a motley crew of characters on NWA's first flight from LA to New York, aboard the pimped-out, purple plush plane piloted by Captain Mack (Snoop Dogg). By accident, the Hunkee (pronounced "honkey") family of passive-aggressive father (Tom Arnold), father's blond and busty girlfriend, Barbara (Missi Pyle), rebellious daughter and father-imitating young son end up on NWA due to a mix-up. Other passengers include Nashawn's doe-eyed former high school sweetheart (K.D. Aubert), and a libidinous couple intent on getting into the Mile High Club. Of course, the ride gets bumpy. The Hunkee daughter turns 18, prompting a dance party in the impossibly huge upper deck, much to the distress of her protective father. Captain Mack, afraid of heights, is incapacitated by drugs, co-pilot Gaeman (Godfrey) is the victim of a hot-tub mishap, leaving Nashawn to land the "playas" plane safely.

SOUL PLANE is 86 minutes of silliness ranging from sweet to raunchy aimed at the "mature" audience who hasn't outgrown poop jokes. But, you might be able to dial your hopes down enough to forgive all that and find some enjoyment in the movie's cheerful vulgarity and the pleasure it takes in stomping on any notion of political correctness. The biggest and best joke of the movie is the plane itself, with First Class a palatial area worthy of MTV's Cribs and "Low" Class a close cousin to a run-down city bus complete with Colt 45 ads, overhead handles to grip and lockers that require a quarter to open.

This movie has a heart, even if it has three sizes yet to grow. Nashawn and his ex-girlfriend have a tender scene where he explains why he left her, and Mr. Hunkee and his daughter have an open discussion about their conflicts. Novice writers Bo Zenga and Chuck Wilson join second-time director, Jessy Terrero, to create this visually entertaining and often funny spoof that gleefully revisits the same airspace covered in Airplane. The jokes range from packaged to fresh, but the most engaging aspect of the comedy is the fun the cast is clearly having on the set. As the security guards, comediennes Mo'Nique Imes-Jackson and Sommore are so funny they could easily have their own sit-com.

Studio: MGM/UA
Director: Jessy Terrero
Cast: Method Man, Snoop Dogg, Tom Arnold
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release: May 27, 2004
DVD release: September 6, 2004
MPAA Rating: R
MPAA explanation: strong sexual content, language and some drug use