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Undercover Brother (PG-13, 2002)

common sense media says

Stereotype-based satire; not for young kids.

parents & educators say
See all 3 reviews | Review it

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has very strong material for a PG-13 -- as usual, the MPAA is much more lax with a comedy than they would be if the same material appeared in a drama. The movie has sexual references and situations, smoking, drinking, and drug humor, and comic violence.

Violence: Comic violence
Sex: Sexual references and humor including suggestive shower scene
Language: Very strong language for a PG-13
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Drinking and smoking, drug humor
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More on Undercover Brother

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about the stereotypes that the movie uses for humor and to make its points. How can some issues be addressed more effectively through comedy than through drama? Parents might find that they have to explain some of the humor to teenagers who are too young to remember some of the outfits and expressions made fun of in the movie.

What's the story?

What's the story?
Comedian Eddie Griffin plays Undercover Brother, a guy with the tallest Afro, the highest platform shoes, and the coolest attitude on earth. He drives a gold-colored Cadillac with an 8-track tape player and a license plate that says, "Solid." Undercover Brother works on his own to fight injustice, but he is not aware of the seriousness of the threat. It seems that a mysterious bad guy known only as "The Man," operating out of a remote island command center. He is responsible for discrediting black figures. A popular black general (Billy Dee Williams) is about to declare his candidacy for President. The Man is furious at the prospect of a possible black President so he directs his henchman (Chris Kattan) to stop him. An organization called "The Brotherhood" asks Undercover Brother to join them in fighting The Man. With their top agent, Soul Sistah (Anjnue Ellis), Undercover Brother infiltrates The Man's world, in wild disguises. But the Man fights back with "black man's Kryptonite" in the form of Denise Richards. For a moment, it seems that Undercover Brother will even eat tuna with extra mayonnaise. But Soul Sista comes to his rescue, and they are soon off for the final confrontation.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
UNDERCOVER BROTHER combines broad comedy with clever satire to happily skewer blacks, whites, men, women, the "blaxploitation" movies of the 1970's, O.J. Simpson, and just about everything else that comes within range.

The movie is filled with such high spirits and good humor that the jokes are pointed but not barbed. Director Malcolm Lee (a cousin of Spike Lee) has a marvelous eye for telling details (the re-creation of a 1970's-style credit sequence is hilarious) and Eddie Griffin gives the title character some heart along with a lot of attitude.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Universal Pictures
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Cast: Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, Eddie Griffin
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 87 minutes
Theatrical release: May 31, 2002
DVD release: January 14, 2003
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, sexual humor, drug use, and violence
This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

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Most useful reviews by all members

mfm27
teen, 17 years old
12
 
Family Fun
Funny, perfect for age 12 and up
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sweetie1025
teen, 16 years old
11
 
Not for the little ones but fine for the older kids, great movie!
Its a really good movie. Some reference to drugs, and the shower scene is just funny [the two girls were fighting and they got into the shower. They are showing what the guys are seeing when they fight, they don't kiss or anything]. Why they rated it for language, I do not know; maybe I missed it but there was very little [if any] cursing. I rate it appropriate for 11 and up.
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doodlesalltheday
adult
 
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