Don't be a Menace... (1996)

The full title is DON'T BE A MENACE TO SOUTH CENTRAL WHILE DRINKING
YOUR JUICE IN THE HOOD, which pretty well sums up the drive-by
targets of this (reasonably) good-natured, but uneven comedy from
Marlon and Shawn Wayans.  The brothers, who star and co-write, take
aim at everything from revolvers to role models.  Nothing is sacred
as they-- along with director Paris Barclay-- slam the now-cliched
conventions of too many coming-of-age-before-you-get-shot movies.
In addition to the obvious spoofs, there are a number of *other*
amusing allusions.  Such as a 9 1/2 WEEKS nod, complete with Kool-
aid, or an Elvis non-sequitur inside of a Rob Reiner reference.  So
silly, and, yet, so very cutting.  I wonder what the participants of
the Carolina Theater's "African-American Film Festival" would make
of it?  (Rated "R"/~100 min.)

Grade: C+       

Copyright 1996 by Michael J. Legeros

Originally posted to triangle.movies