With the success of genre spoof films in recent years (Austin Powers, Scary Movie) we knew it was only a matter of time before the 70's blaxploitation genre was hit, and hit hard it was. Based on an underground internet series, Undercover Brother is nothing more than a barrage of jokes, slapping you silly machine gun style throughout the all to brief 90 minute running time. The story is rather simple, I suppoose. An underground operation, called B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D is trying to thwart "The Man's" (a lone caucasion shrouded in darkness, we never see who he is exactly) plan of a hostile takeover, through the use of a political figure (brilliantly played by Billy Dee Williams) and a fast food fried chicken chain. "The Man" has tainted the fried chicken with a powerful drug that should help to "whiten" if you will, the black community. At the head of the operation from B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D, we have, of course Undercover Brother aka Anton Jackson (Eddie Griffin). A funky soul brother trapped in the 70's with the clothes and afro to prove it. Undercover Brother's aide's include the likes of Conspiracy Brother (David Chappelle), Sistah Girl (Aunjanue Ellis), and Smart Brother (Gary Anthony Williams), I think their names say it all.

"The Man's" #1 henchman Mr. Feather (played by the completely non-threatening Chris Kattan), is really the arch-nemisis here. Mr. Feather is trying desperately not to succumb to black culture "with their catchy music, and hip slang" and it's an internal fight to the finish for him. The next 90 minutes is a series of obvious set-ups and a continuous game of cat and mouse (and the introduction of "black man's kryptonite" played by Denise Richards). While not very intelligent, there's one thing that Undercover Brother certainly is, and that's funny. Some of the jokes don't work, but thy hit so fast and hard, it seems as if there is no end in sight. If a joke doesn't strike, there is sure to be another following that will.

I'm not going to sit here and go through a list of the gags, that wouln't be fair. Fans of the ever so popular spoof films should be pleasently surprised. Undercover Brother is way ahead of the pack and lovingly pays homage to the blaxploitation films of yesterday and does its job well. Key points of interest include Neil Patrick Harris (TV's Doogie Howser) in a supporting role as Lance, the only white guy to work for B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D (affirmative action baby!) and a cool cameo from "The Hardest Working Man In Show Business".

Solid!

Thumbs up.