From: ecl@cbnewsj.cb.att.com (Evelyn C. Leeper)
Subject: REVIEW: MO' MONEY
Reply-To: 2fatguys@tdis.icpsr.umich.edu (Too Fat Guys)
Organization: A Too FAT Guys Joint
Date: Fri, 31 Jul 1992 14:38:05 GMT
To: 2fatguys@tdis.icpsr.umich.edu (Too Fat Guys)
Followup-To: rec.arts.movies
Summary: r.a.m.r. #01459
Keywords: author=2FatGuys

			       MO' MONEY
		     A film review by Too FAT Guys
		      Copyright 1992 by Roger & Me

Roger:	A long time ago, I vowed never to see a movie whose trailer
	included a list of soundtrack artists.  The way I figure it, if
	the producer can't dredge up enough decent clips for a preview,
	the movie can't be very good.

Roger:	You would do well to listen to yourself.

Roger:  Yes.  Theaters started showing trailers for MO' MONEY about
	two months ago with a prominent screen enumerating all of the
	artists on the soundtrack.  Ironically, the soundtrack provided
	the second funniest line in the movie.

Roger:	The scintillating Jam and Lewis soundtrack aside, this comedy-
	action-romance-with-a-twist-of-social-conscience portrays the
	story of a young man, Johnny Stewart (Damon Wayans) and his
	brother, Seymour (Marlon Wayans), two inner-city hustlers.
	When Johnny meets an attractive credit card company executive,
	he decide to find a real job to attract her.  The story becomes
	interesting when Johnny becomes unwillingly involved in an
	elaborate scheme of crime credit card fraud.

Roger:	However, this all seems to be a bit beyond this director.  And
	who is the director, Roger?

Roger:	I forgot to write it down and I can't remember ... saves me the
	trouble of trying to forget about him later.

Roger:	Ooh, you're mean.

Roger:	Thank you.

Roger:  Anyway, most of the obvious comedy effort is expended in the
	several scam scenes (a la "In Living Color").  These seem
	universally pointless and especially unfunny.  But maybe I just
	don't get it....

Roger:	Pathetically unfunny, even.  I've been fond of Damon Wayans's
	other work, but he couldn't recreate the comedic magic that
	makes "In Living Color" work so well.  In fact, several of the
	bits are very derivative of his work on ILC.

Roger:	The action, as well, seems rather flaccid.

Roger:	Don't you mean the romance?

Roger:	Yes, but I'll get to that later.  Aside from being unconvincing
	and unrealistic beyond suspension of disbelief, the action is
	cliched.  I don't think they used a single original stunt.

Roger:	Not that I remember.  The action was sort of a cross between
	DIE HARD and THE LAST BOY SCOUT.  Of course, in those movies
	I was willing to believe that the protagonist was capable of
	amazing feats.	Street hustlers have never impressed me as
	being very Rambo-esque.	 Didn't you have something to say about
	the romance?

Roger:	Oy.  Don't even get me started.

Roger:	But how could you pass up commenting on such a cornucopia of
	misogyny?  After all, a good part of the supposed comedy
	involves Damon and Marlon avoiding the advances of the
	"Godzilla" woman.  You'd think they could just say no.  I guess
	that wouldn't have been funny though.

Roger:	Either, you mean.

Roger:	Oh, yes.  My mistake.  In addition, all the male characters in
	the movie view women as money-grubbing hoes.

Roger:	Not to mention, the actual relationship of the film was carried
	out almost entirely in the form of an MTV montage.  Even the
	obligatory love scene was filmed through shower glass.  As if
	blurry images and grainy film make for great romance.

Roger:	Even so, the film wasn't a total bust.	After all, there's the
	twist of social conscience.

Roger:  Yes, it does have some sad commentary on the results of
	Reagan's voodoo economics.  For instance, while holding a
	full-time job, Johnny can't make ends meet until he supplements
	his income through illegal means.

Roger:	In fact, the movie's portrayal of inner city living seems
	relatively accurate.  It's good to see films whose
	African-American characters are not stamped from the same
	prejudiced cliche'.  Unfortunately, without a plot to support
	this film's one redeeming quality, I have to give it a thumbs
	down.

Roger:  I think there is a little more to be said for the positive
	aspects of this film.  For instance, a couple of the minor
	characters were handled competently and Marlon showed potential
	in his screen debut.  But overall, I have to agree with you,
	Roger.  I give this film a thumbs down.

Roger:	So, two thumbs down for MO' MONEY.  Or should I say, "Hated It!"?
	That's all for now -- the tty is closed.

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