My quick rating - 3.3/10. I caught David Alan Grier on The Colbert Show and he was promoting this comedy flick that sounded like it had an interesting premise to it. A young man, Aren (Justice Smith), is recruited into a secret society of magical Black people who dedicate their lives to a cause of utmost importance: making white people’s lives easier. As soon as I saw Smith I realized I had just spent quite a bit of time with him since he is one of the main characters in The Quarry pc game. Anyways, this has such a fun comedic idea that gets wasted on a boring ass romantic comedy. The flick promised to be a refreshing take on race relations and magic, but unfortunately, it falls flat with a swing and a miss. The premise is certainly intriguing, offering a comedic spin on an important topic. However, the execution leaves much to be desired. Instead of diving deep into the complexities of race and magic, the film opts for a bland romantic comedy plotline that fails to engage. One of the film's biggest disappointments is the underutilization of talent, particularly Grier. He typically is a comedic powerhouse, yet his potential is wasted in this film. His character lacks depth and fails to leave a lasting impression, despite his comedic chops. The film's comedic potential is largely squandered, with jokes that fall flat and a storyline that feels uninspired. While there are moments of humor scattered throughout, they are few and far between, and just ended up pissing me off. Additionally, the romantic subplot feels forced and clichéd, detracting from the film's more interesting aspects. Instead of exploring the complexities of relationships in the context of the magical society, it serves as a distraction from the film's main themes. Overall the flick fails to deliver on its promise of an entertaining and thought-provoking film. While the concept is fun and fresh, it ultimately gets lost in a sea of mediocrity, leaving you feeling angry just as I was.
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