Undercover Brother (2002)

"Infectiously funny!  Newsday
"...dishes out a ton of laughs that everyone can enjoy...  Peter Bernare, South Florida Sun-Sentinel
"...is a kick!  USA Today
"There are laughs aplenty...  James Berardinelli's ReelViews
"The coolest and hippest movie in years!  FOX-TV
"Watch it Austin Powers, the funk is back!  NY Times
"...a funkadelic fun ride...  Jan Stewart, Newsday

Editor's Note Malcolm D. Lee's UNDERCOVER BROTHER is a rollicking spoof that earns the distinction of being the first studio film to find its inspiration in a character created specifically for the Internet. Based on writer John Ridley's satirical series which premiered on the Urban Entertainment web site, UNDERCOVER BROTHER follows a hipper-than-hip, Afro-sporting superhero-of-sorts (the multi-talented Eddie Griffin) who stands up for oppressed people everywhere, and looks damn good doing it. But when The Man and his demonic henchman Mr. Feather (Chris Kattan) drug a wildly popular black presidential candidate (Billy Dee Williams), Undercover Brother must team up with the positive underground group the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. in order to restore peace and unity within the community. Employing his seemingly endless arsenal of clever disguises--including the ultra-nerdy Anton Jackson--Undercover Brother embarks on his dangerous mission. Lee's live action comedy successfully preserves the energy of the original animated shorts, resulting in an hysterical romp that is stuffed with enough pop culture references for two sequels. Griffin uses the character as a platform for his boundless talents, and supporting players Kattan, Dave Chappelle, Aunjenue Ellis, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris do their part to keep the jokes erupting like a giddy volcano.

	Aunjanue Ellis
	Billy Dee Williams
	Chi McBride
	Chris Kattan
	Dave Chappelle
	David Chappelle
	Denise Richards
	Eddie Griffin
	Neil Patrick Harris
	Tom Priestly - Cinematographer
	Malcolm D. Lee - Directed By
	Malcolm D. Lee - Director
	Tom Priestley, Jr. - Director of Photography
	William Kerr - Edited By
	William Kerr - Editor
	John Ridley, Bill Carraro, Kim Roth - Executive Producers
	Bonnie Greenberg - Music Supervisor
	Stanley Clarke - Musical Score
	Stanley Clarke - Original Music By
	Brian Grazer, Michael Jenkinson, Damon Lee - Produced By
	Damon Lee - Producer
	Brian Grazer - Producer
	Michael Jenkinson - Producer
	William Elliot - Production Designer
	William Elliott - Production Designer
	John Ridley - Screenplay
	Michael McCullers - Screenplay
	John Ridley and Michael McCullers - Screenplay By
	John Ridley - Story By

New York Times
"...Winningly silly....The blunt satiric arrows fly in all directions, hitting targets of various colors..." 05/31/2002 p.E20

USA Today
"...Affably loopy....The broad physical comedy is as reliable as a brick house..." 05/31/2002 p.7E

Variety
"...Keenly accurate and gleefully affectionate in its lampooning of cliches....Griffin does his finest bigscreen work to date, showing a fine flair for physical comedy and a deft touch for mock-serious swagger..." 06/03/2002 p.20-9

Total Film
"...UNDERCOVER BROTHER is Griffin's comedic redemption..." 10/01/2002 p.130

Sight and Sound
"...The cast -- especially Eddie Griffin in the title role -- hit the right tone, and director Malcolm D. Lee has a feel for the material..." 03/01/2003 p.59

San Francisco Chronicle 6 of 10
Undercover Brother is the sort of comedy that lacks comic invention but makes up for it with comic fecundity. Don't like this joke? Here comes another, and another. The picture is crammed with shameless satire, engaging moments of pure silliness and jokes that border on the outrageous. - Mike LaSalle