Malibu's Most Wanted

MALIBU'S MOST WANTED

HOLLYWOOD'S MOST SURPRISING

by pat

The advertising hadn't sold me, but I figured Jamie Kennedy is a pretty funny guy, so what the heck. The worst it could be was terrible, annoying, and gone from the radar in moments. On the other hand, maybe it would be good for a couple laughs before the white guy acting urban got old. It hadn't occurred to me that this would be an actual good movie, not just a time killer. It has character arcs (small ones, but hey), legitimate emotional moments (nothing to cry over, but still) and good performances. It also seemed to get a solid response from the fairly diverse audience, white, black, old, young. Everyone seemed to get into it. Could be a surprise hit.

B-Rad Gluckman is a privileged child living in Malibu, a community for those with more money than God. Though I'm led to believe God doesn't actually have much money per se, as he really has a lot to keep him busy, therefore not having the time to kick back and check out the new Metroid game, the point is he could conceivably have a lot of money, and these people could give him a run for that money. B-Rad's father, kindly played by Ryan O'Neal, is running for Governor, and the hip-hop antics of B-Rad have been a thorn in his side. People get offended, Dad gets embarrassed, it was set up to be a clone of "Black Sheep." Then we see that Dad actually cares about his son, and wants to include him in some way or another, but just doesn't know how to relate to him.

One of Dad's advisors suggests a plan to "scare the black out of him." They hire two actors to play thugs, kidnap B-Rad, take him to the ghetto, then hold him hostage until he breaks down and admits that he's just a scared little poser. Unfortunately, he may be white and he may not be able to freestyle with any real style, but when his parents weren't there for him growing up, he raised himself black culture through the media. He really is like how he acts, and nobody can accept him for what he is, the people he emulates or the people he's supposed to be like. As everyone tries to expose him as a fake, they all wind up showing how image-conscious and fake they actually are. It's pretty well done, and there's a few solid character moments because of it. There's one toward the end that actually quieted the audience, then got some applause at its resolution. Around my parts, people don't clap much at movies.

The main thing is that this movie's funny. The added bonuses are that it keeps moving, keeps the ideas fresh, never makes anyone more of a caricature than a character, and stays fairly grounded in reality. It also doesn't feel the need to offend, gross out, or play to base elements. It has a broad appeal, is young 'un safe, but never feels kiddie, and should probably prove to be a sleeper hit. That would be nice, though I can't see a sequel happening.

Yes, that's right! The one in the middle is a girl, and she doesn't have a hat!

WHICH OF THESE DOESN'T BELONG? (SEE ALT TEXT!)

"Actually, I received a bachelor's degree in t-shirts."

RANDY MUST SEE "SHOWGIRLS" AGAIN

He told himself he could dance, but it turns out he was just pulling his own leg.

IT DON'T MEAN A THING IF YOU AIN'T GOT THAT BLING

"So what you're saying is, a cop could mistake my hand for a gun? Even in California?"

BLAIR SHOWS IT'S IMPOLITE TO POINT