(rated PG-13, 102 mins.) With its hip hop energy and throw back to ‘70s sitcom-style of cliché fun (think JJ of “Good Times), come the story of Calvin (Ice Cube), a hardworking brother in Chicago who inherits the neighborhood barbershop. But this isn’t just any barbershop. It’s from his daddy with a history of social gossip and bonded community. And, it’s about to go down the tubes (think Eddie Murphy’s barbershop characters in “Coming To America”). Without enough hair cuts in the hood to stay afloat, Calvin sells the shop to a local loan shark (Keith David, “Requiem for a Dream”), on the condition that no matter what happens to the premises, the sign must always read “Barbershop”. What makes the movie work is the heartbeat of what’s going on in the walls of the shop with its six employees and their everyday issues. Especially Isaac (Troy Garity) the only white barber who seems more black than the rest. This is a story mixed with Ethnic pride, strong bonds and humor, that cross over to all walks of life. Similar to the hype in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” Barbershop glows with sweetness and genuine real life, not to mention a convincing lead in Ice Cube.
