Click to read the article
Undercover Brother (2002)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
Reviews Counted:126
Fresh:96
Rotten:30
Average Rating:6.6/10
Consensus: Fast-paced and filled with racial gags, Undercover Brother serves up plenty of laughs and sharp satire.
Runtime: 87 mins
Genre: Comedies
Synopsis: Malcolm D. Lee's UNDERCOVER BROTHER is a rollicking spoof that earns the distinction of being the first studio film to find its inspiration in a character created specifically for the Internet.... Malcolm D. Lee's UNDERCOVER BROTHER is a rollicking spoof that earns the distinction of being the first studio film to find its inspiration in a character created specifically for the Internet. Based on writer John Ridley's satirical series which premiered on the Urban Entertainment web site, UNDERCOVER BROTHER follows a hipper-than-hip, Afro-sporting superhero-of-sorts (the multi-talented Eddie Griffin) who stands up for oppressed people everywhere, and looks damn good doing it. But when The Man and his demonic henchman Mr. Feather (Chris Kattan) drug a wildly popular black presidential candidate (Billy Dee Williams), Undercover Brother must team up with the positive underground group the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D. in order to restore peace and unity within the community. Employing his seemingly endless arsenal of clever disguises--including the ultra-nerdy Anton Jackson--Undercover Brother embarks on his dangerous mission. Lee's live action comedy successfully preserves the energy of the original animated shorts, resulting in an hysterical romp that is stuffed with enough pop culture references for two sequels. Griffin uses the character as a platform for his boundless talents, and supporting players Kattan, Dave Chappelle, Aunjenue Ellis, Denise Richards, and Neil Patrick Harris do their part to keep the jokes erupting like a giddy volcano. [More]
Starring: Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, Dave Chappelle
Starring: Eddie Griffin, Chris Kattan, Denise Richards, Dave Chappelle, Aunjanue Ellis, Neil Patrick Harris, Chi McBride, Billy Dee Williams, Gary Anthony Williams, James Brown
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Director: Malcolm D. Lee
Screenwriter: John Ridley, Michael McCullers
Story: John Ridley
Producer: Brian Grazer, Michael Jenkinson, Damon Lee
Composer: Stanley Clarke
Studio: Universal Pictures
Reviews for Undercover Brother
Not for one moment does it get serious or stop for a straight action sequence, and yet it develops into something genuinely exciting, just through the enthusiastic velocity of its streams of jokes and images.
Every little piece of this project fell magically, hilariously in place, even if some of its gags don't quite hit the target.
The problem is, that half the time I laughed myself silly, while the other half, I was egregiously offended.
...zips along at a frenetic pace, but the lack of plot does eventually catch up with the rest of the movie.
Latest News for Undercover Brother
February 07, 2008:
Box Office Guru Preview: Fool's Gold Hopes to Shine in Battle of New Comedies
Hollywood plays the race card this weekend opening a pair of star-driven comedies, one for white moviegoers and the other for black audiences. Matthew McConaughey and Kate... More...
March 02, 2006:
Critical Consensus: A Swinging "Party," A Sweet and Sour "16"
This week's wide releases will take us on a journey. We'll walk a couple blocks ("16 Blocks," "Dave Chappelle's Block Party"), take a dip in the ocean... More...
November 22, 2005:
Fox Searchlight Digs the "Phat Girlz"
Fresh out of my inbox comes a press release from Fox Searchlight that informs us of a movie called "Phat Girlz," which stars Mo'Nique, Eric Roberts, Jack Noseworthy,... More...
June 22, 2005:
Ensemble Signs Up for Untitled Rom-Com Spoof
The Hollywood Reporter brings news of an upcoming romantic comedy spoof that has five actors and no title ... yet. Screenwriters Jason Friedberg & Aaron Seltzer ("Scary... More...
More DVDs
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 15% 15% | The Ugly Truth |
| 98% 98% | Up |
| 36% 36% | G.I. Joe: The Rise of … |
| 52% 52% | The Taking of Pelham 1… |
| 45% 45% | Ice Age: Dawn of the D… |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 68% 68% | Funny People |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| 45% 45% | Shorts |
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
Sponsored Links
Around The Network
- Undercover Brother at Rotten Tomatoes
- Undercover Brother at IGN
- Undercover Brother at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.



Top Critic

