Barbershop 2002

Bruce Newman, San Jose Mercury News: One of the most refreshing things about this movie is the way it gives free reign to the sort of freewheeling debate that actually rages in some barbershops over what are accepted orthodoxies right outside the door. Read more

Ty Burr, Boston Globe: A broad, very funny, unexpectedly graceful comedy of character and community. Read more

John Monaghan, Detroit Free Press: This feature debut from Tim Story would have been much better had it proceeded on a much smaller scale, with fewer barbers and more time to develop the relationships between them. Read more

Connie Ogle, Miami Herald: Ice Cube, as usual, is an appealing presence, but the rest of the cast shines as well. Read more

Richard Roeper, Ebert & Roeper: A flat-out hilarious ensemble comedy that probably made me laugh out loud more than any other movie this year. Read more

Susan Stark, Detroit News: Entertains by providing good, lively company. Read more

Michael Wilmington, Chicago Tribune: An entertaining, surprisingly well-written and often rowdily amusing picture. Read more

A.O. Scott, New York Times: The movie's quiet affirmation of neighborhood values gives it an honest, lived-in glow. Read more

Tom Keogh, Seattle Times: Very funny, and remarkably mature, retro-1970s ensemble comedy. Read more

David Germain, Associated Press: Barbershop is a cozy place to hang out for a while, even if you don't need a little off the sides. Read more

Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times: As warm as it is wise, deftly setting off uproarious humor with an underlying seriousness that sneaks up on the viewer, providing an experience that is richer than anticipated. Read more

Ted Shen, Chicago Reader: Some of the verbal jousts are hot, and a Laurel and Hardy routine involving a stolen ATM is fitfully hilarious, but this reminds me of a pilot for a cable sitcom. Read more

Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle: By far the most mature film to come down the pike in which the name 'Cube' appears more than once in the credits. Read more

Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly: Reassuring, retro uplifter. Read more

Ray Conlogue, Globe and Mail: The characters are engaging and the story has a bustling richness. Read more

Chris Vognar, Dallas Morning News: Uneven at times, Barbershop wins you over through random moments of vitality and joy. Read more

Ernest Hardy, L.A. Weekly: Despite the fact that you can see every plot twist a mile off, director Tim Story keeps the script by Mark Brown, Don D. Scott and Marshall Todd rollicking with a jazzy spontaneity. Read more

Jan Stuart, Newsday: Amid the new populist comedies that underscore the importance of family tradition and familial community, one would be hard-pressed to find a movie with a bigger, fatter heart than Barbershop. Read more

Andrew Sarris, New York Observer: The movie's heart is in the right place, which generates enough warmth to make one root for it. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: If nothing significant gets settled in the rambling barbershop conversations, at least many issues are aired, and by the end, in classic sitcom fashion, all problems have been solved. Read more

Charles Taylor, Salon.com: What makes Barbershop so likable, with all its flaws, is that it has none of the pushiness and decibel volume of most contemporary comedies. Read more

Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle: A sloppy but likable movie. Read more

Daphne Gordon, Toronto Star: As a slapstick adventure, Barbershop is unfunny and unoriginal. But as a character-driven drama, Barbershop works well, with its quirky, sweet characters and authentic dialogue. Read more

Time Out: Perhaps because it promotes traditional values - respect women, crime doesn't pay, family comes first - the film shines in those rare scenes when it plays with received wisdom. Read more

Ronnie Scheib, Variety: Read more

Ed Park, Village Voice: The premise of Barbershop ... is as hackneyed as they come, but the overall mood is less cynical than affectionate. Read more

Stephen Hunter, Washington Post: It's funny as hell. Read more