Rating:

 

Starring Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon and Don “DC” Curry

 

Directed by Marcus Raboy

 

Produced by Ice Cube and Matt Alvarez

 

Written by Ice Cube

 

Distributed by New Line Cinema

 

85 mins.

 

Rated R

 

We all remember our first time, the first time we heard those words, “I know you don’t smoke weed, I know this, but I’m gonna get you high today, cause its Friday, you ain’t got not job, and you ain’t got shit to do.” It’s another Friday, better grab your best buds.

 

Craig (Ice Cube, “All About The Benjamins”) and Day-Day (Mike Epps, “How High”) are back in the ghetto, living in the rundown Shady Palm apartments and prepared to celebrate the holidays. That is until Craig wakes up in the middle of the night to discover a ghetto Santa Claus stealing their presents and anything else he can fit into his sack, including the rent money stuffed in the stereo speakers. In order to score some quick cash, the boys take jobs as unarmed security guards at the local strip mall where their fathers, Mr. Jones (John Witherspoon, “Dr. Dolittle 2”) and Uncle Elroy (Don “DC” Curry, host of B.E.T’s “Comic View”), have opened Bro’s Bar-B-Q restaurant.

 

While Craig tries to put the moves on the sales associate at Pimp N’ Ho’s clothing, Donna (K.D. Aubert, co-host of MTV’s game show “Kidnapped”), Day-Day’s reneged rent-a-cop tactics put both their jobs and lives in jeopardy. As the sun sets on another Friday, the boys learn the meaning of the holiday season. Each new “Friday” is like going home for the holidays and seeing old friends: sure, it’s good to see them, but something is always off. It’s good to see Craig and Day-Day again, but it just doesn’t measure up to the original, and may leave you disappointed.

 

The returning cast is great, including Ice Cube (there could never be another Craig), Mike Epps (who does a better job this time and seems to be becoming a stronger actor) and the incomparable John Witherspoon as the loveable and sometimes-silly-yet-always-caring father.

 

“Friday” has also been know for bringing out new talent, like Katt Williams (recent recipient of Cedric the Entertainer Budweiser “Best of Los Angeles Comics Award”), who plays Money Mike, proprietor of Pimp N’ Ho’s clothing store and boyfriend of the beautiful Donna. There’s no other way to say it; no one could have played this role better, he’s simply fantastic.

 

As with previous “Fridays,” the locale is perfect, right on in its portrayal of L.A., and Dana Campbell (costume designer for “Next Friday”) does another commendable job in this sequel, specifically on Money Mike’s pimp wardrobe.

 

The movie is funny, but would have worked better as a non-“Friday” flick. It works as a Christmas story in the ‘hood, but falls flat going against the expectations of the “Friday” label. Take an old buddy or “partner in crime” to see it sometime. At least you can avoid those uncomfortable silences.