First Sunday

Ice Cube, Tracy Morgan, and the talented supporting cast can't seem to catapult this film out of the realm of mediocrity. Surprising, since Ice Cube is one of the few rappers-turned-actors who's proven his acting chops and is impressively adept at both comedy and drama (see Three Kings). The movie's steady stream of laughs, mostly courtesy of Morgan, diminishes a bit once the church heist goes wrong. Character actors Loretta Devine and Chi McBride are almost too good for their parts as the church's loving secretary and wise pastor. And stand-up comic Katt Williams steals many a scene as the cowardly and flamboyant choir director.

The hostage situation culminates with a predictable amount of sermonizing and repentance, but it's all a bit too easy considering that the men weren't exactly cold, hard murderers -- just stupid and unlucky. Despite jokes that are funny enough, newcomer director David E. Talbert mishandles the plot -- why the men needed the money was never all that compelling -- and the timing. He also squanders the talent that actors like McBride, Devine, and Keith David bring to the ensemble. But if you don't mind a pat, sentimental ending, you might be entertained.