While I would not place this film on any "worst of" list, I certainly can understand why it is now on IMDb's Bottom 100 list--the 100 lowest-ranked films which have received at least 1500 votes. The film has absolutely horrible writing and it's a shame because it could have been a halfway decent film.
The hip-hop artist Usher stars in this film. I read a lot of very nasty comments about his inability to act, but this really isn't the problem here. While he was TOTALLY unbelievable in the film (mostly because at 5'8" and a slight build, he was just physically wrong for the part), his acting wasn't the problem. The problem, first and foremost, was the writing. It was as if they gathered some actors and equipment but really didn't bother creating a comprehensible script BEFORE the shooting! There are just too many dumb clichés and logic problems to make this anything other than yet another failed vanity project.
Here are some of the very dumb problems with the film:
1. A serious attempt has been made on a mobster's life. It's obvious someone wants to kill him and/or his family. So you'd think they'd hire professional body guards in a case like this, right?! Instead, they make little Usher the bodyguard even though he's NOT tough, can't fight and doesn't carry a gun.
2. There is an overly petulant girl--you know, the spunky/plucky girl cliché. Despite this very, very serious attempt on the family, she insists she does NOT need a bodyguard. Young lady...your father is a mob boss....what part of "mob war" don't you comprehend?!?! Like the super-annoying lady from "Van Helsing", despite being in very, very deep trouble she again and again snarls that she needs no one's help and won't change her life one bit!! Can anyone be that stupid! And, when attempts ARE made on her life, she STILL is a hot-headed moron!! 3. You are a Black man who knows that the mobster and his clan will never allow you to marry within the family and that you could die on their behalf even though they are scum. So, again and again, you risk your life for these ungrateful and dangerous folks. And, you also decide to get it on with this Italian princess even though it could mean getting your head blown off your body.
4. You give every Black man in the film a semi-automatic pistol EXCEPT the hero. First, giving them so many guns is an awful stereotype. Second, it implies that Usher and his friends are tough--come on, it's only Usher! Third, Usher is the bodyguard--see #1.
5. You include a comic relief son of the godfather--a White guy who is a walking, talking idiot hip-hop wannabe. He is simply there to scream out "I'm a poseur and you need to laugh at me". He is simply annoying and a caricature. Plus, having him use his hip-hoppy skills to defeat the baddie at the end is just sad.
6. You put Usher in many situations that would alienate his potential Black audience.
Overall, the biggest problem about the film is believability. Not once is there any in the film--the plot, the characters and the chemistry all seem so contrived. Not good but also not quite bad enough to be funny--it's just bad.
The hip-hop artist Usher stars in this film. I read a lot of very nasty comments about his inability to act, but this really isn't the problem here. While he was TOTALLY unbelievable in the film (mostly because at 5'8" and a slight build, he was just physically wrong for the part), his acting wasn't the problem. The problem, first and foremost, was the writing. It was as if they gathered some actors and equipment but really didn't bother creating a comprehensible script BEFORE the shooting! There are just too many dumb clichés and logic problems to make this anything other than yet another failed vanity project.
Here are some of the very dumb problems with the film:
1. A serious attempt has been made on a mobster's life. It's obvious someone wants to kill him and/or his family. So you'd think they'd hire professional body guards in a case like this, right?! Instead, they make little Usher the bodyguard even though he's NOT tough, can't fight and doesn't carry a gun.
2. There is an overly petulant girl--you know, the spunky/plucky girl cliché. Despite this very, very serious attempt on the family, she insists she does NOT need a bodyguard. Young lady...your father is a mob boss....what part of "mob war" don't you comprehend?!?! Like the super-annoying lady from "Van Helsing", despite being in very, very deep trouble she again and again snarls that she needs no one's help and won't change her life one bit!! Can anyone be that stupid! And, when attempts ARE made on her life, she STILL is a hot-headed moron!! 3. You are a Black man who knows that the mobster and his clan will never allow you to marry within the family and that you could die on their behalf even though they are scum. So, again and again, you risk your life for these ungrateful and dangerous folks. And, you also decide to get it on with this Italian princess even though it could mean getting your head blown off your body.
4. You give every Black man in the film a semi-automatic pistol EXCEPT the hero. First, giving them so many guns is an awful stereotype. Second, it implies that Usher and his friends are tough--come on, it's only Usher! Third, Usher is the bodyguard--see #1.
5. You include a comic relief son of the godfather--a White guy who is a walking, talking idiot hip-hop wannabe. He is simply there to scream out "I'm a poseur and you need to laugh at me". He is simply annoying and a caricature. Plus, having him use his hip-hoppy skills to defeat the baddie at the end is just sad.
6. You put Usher in many situations that would alienate his potential Black audience.
Overall, the biggest problem about the film is believability. Not once is there any in the film--the plot, the characters and the chemistry all seem so contrived. Not good but also not quite bad enough to be funny--it's just bad.