Customer Reviews
The Cookout" is not that fulfilling - By: Jenny J.J.I., 29 Jun 2007 
This movie did not deliver. I love black comedy like the "Friday" movies (except for the last one) but this was NOTHING like Friday. In fact, it was extra lame. There were a few funny scenes but not the way you want them to be. I have to agree with most of the previous comments, here, that this movie will most likely be pretty offensive to most black viewers. It's loaded with stereotypes & predictable humor.
That aside, I did get a chuckle out of a few of the characters. Tim Meadows' conspiracy whacko character was twisted & amusing. Meadows have a talent for subtle humor with over-the-top characters. This sounds like a contradiction, but it isn't. Danny Glover gets a few laughs in as the heavily "balll & chained" neighbor. It helps that his balll in chain happens to be Farrah Fawcett, I suppose. Both Mr. Meadows & Mr. Glover's characters were somewhat stereotypical & unoriginal, but both actors made them work, because they're pros. That old man with a stick was kind of goofy. I mildly enjoy Queen Latifah though, even in a ridiculously written role she was believable & hilarious at times. She at least made it worth my time. I will say Tim Meadows was the highlight of the movie & his lines totaled approximately 5 minutes of dialogue.
I found Jennifer Lewis' character to be intensely annoying. She was supposed to come off as "strong" & as the pillar of the family, but if I had a parent like her, I'd go to huge lengths to avoid her. Just watching her in a movie made me uncomfortable. I'm surprised that Todd's prospective client didn't head for the hills, immediately. Those grotesque fat twins were annoying. The pot smoking scene with them & Mertaw was horrendous. I was disgusted with the way they looked & acted. Ja Rule was very annoying as Bling Bling & his sidekick was just as awful. The dude Big Pu//y from The Sopranos was OK as a doo doo salesman. Rapper Storm P (aka Quran Pender) as Todd Anderson who played the young, newly-drafted NBA star did a pretty decent job in his role. Eve finallly play a sweet character. For a hardcore rapper who always plays tough minded characters, it was nice to see her lovable & supple but the time she spent on the screen looked more like a cameo.
"The Cookout" has more flaws then virtues, & it will certainly offend anybody concerned with improving the image of African Americans, but it does have its brief moments but I won't recommend this being that it's unrealistic & forgettable.
