Barbershop: The Next Cut

In the third installment of the franchise, Calvin’s barbershop and Angie’s beauty parlor are still in business, and a popular social center in their neighborhood on Chicago’s South Side. Worried about rising gang violence, Calvin (Ice Cube) tries to negotiate a weekend cease-fire between rival gangs, even as he sees his son (Michael Raney Jr.) falling under the influence of one of them. Kenya Barris and Tracy Oliver’s script has its preachy side, but with an endearing mixture of idealism and cynical humor, and the cast is packed with solid talent—Cedric the Entertainer (here, as in the first two, a standout, though his old-age makeup hasn’t improved), Regina Hall, Anthony Anderson, J.B. Smoove, Common and Nicki Minaj. Director Malcolm D. Hall handles the proceedings with a surprisingly sprightly touch. J.L.