The gang from Barbershop is back and this time they are faced with losing their shop and neighborhood to the greed of land developers.

Shop owner Calvin Palmer (Ice Cube) runs the popular shop and dreams of providing a good life for his wife and infant son. The staff spends the day sharing gossip and styles with the customers and dealing with the latest conspiracy theories of Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer), who never seems to run out of opinions on whatever topic is being discussed.

The jovial nature of the shop is disrupted when it is learned that a slick styling chain is opening in a few weeks across from the shop. To further complicate matters, the people behind the new salon are making offers to purchase the local businesses and pressure is being put on Calvin to sell to raise the price of the offer.

Not one to give up without a fight, Calvin and the staff set out to make the shop even more professional and fan-oriented thus setting off a series of funny and touching moments as the staff learns to be true to themselves and to stand up for what they believe in.

While the story is not the most in-depth, Barbershop 2 is a pleasant and enjoyable film that will delight fans of the first. I was happy to see the addition of Queen Latifah to the cast as she enlivens the film whenever she is on the screen. The staff is solid and I for one liked the fact that the filmmakers showed a positive look at inner city life that was devoid of many negative images.

My advice, get a seat in the chair and prepare to laugh.
3.5 stars out of 5
Gareth Von Kallenbach