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Parents' Guide to

Undercover Brother

By Nell Minow, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Stereotype-based satire; not for young kids.

Movie PG-13 2002 87 minutes
Undercover Brother Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

Community Reviews

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age 15+

Based on 1 parent review

doctora
doctora Parent of 5-year-old
June 19, 2022
age 15+

The jokes come quickly and the satire bites

This film is a good time no matter when I see it. Although it is a bit uneven and feels like they just didn't know how to end it, the first hour of the film is solid (and I mean full fist). The film knows what it is and Griffin and Ellis sell it at every turn, but Richards, Kattan and Harris are not far behind, they know their place in this film and execute their roles perfectly. Griffin's fun as Undercover Brother is infectious and he is easy to root for. The jokes come quickly and the satire bites, basically a lovely film.
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (3 ):

The movie is filled with such high spirits and good humor that the jokes are pointed but not barbed. 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.

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.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • 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.

Movie Details

  • In theaters: May 31, 2002
  • On DVD or streaming: January 14, 2003
  • Cast: Chris Kattan , Denise Richards , Eddie Griffin
  • Director: Malcolm D. Lee
  • Inclusion Information: Black directors, Middle Eastern/North African actors, Female actors, Black actors
  • Studio: Universal Pictures
  • Genre: Comedy
  • Run time: 87 minutes
  • MPAA rating: PG-13
  • MPAA explanation: language, sexual humor, drug use, and violence
  • Last updated: June 7, 2023

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