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BOOTY CALL
The Bootiest Edition
Review by Gordon Justesen
Stars: Jamie Foxx, Tommy
Davidson, Vivica A. Fox, Tamala Jones
Director: Jeff Pollack
Audio: Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Surround
Video: Anamorphic Widescreen 1.85:1
Studio: Columbia Tri Star
Features: See Review
Length: 79 Minutes
Release Date: April 13, 2004
“Hey Bunz, you got any
condoms?”
“STARDATE 2102: I’m without
contraceptives, so please…leave me the f**k alone.”
At the point in
time between Porky's and American
Pie, few movies dared to stretch the boundaries in terms of cinematic
vulgarity. Booty Call was no doubt one of the movies that fit so well in this
category. Here is a movie of such sheer outrageousness, and so many daring
moments of physical and sexual humor, it's just one of those cases where you
simply can't help but laugh out loudly at everything you're seeing and hearing.
Like a great stand up performance, the movie includes countless riotous bits
that you may find yourself playing back in your head long after you see it.
The movie follows
the exploits of Rushon and Bunz (In Living
Color vets Tommy Davidson and Jamie Foxx) two friends who are dying to get
theirs. Most of the action follows a double date with the horny two. Rushon's
present girlfriend, Nikki (Tamala Jones), has set up a date for her close
friend, Lysterine (Vivica A. Fox), with the notorious Bunz. Their date consists
of some Chinese food, a game of pool at a nearby nightclub, and a harmless game
of cards back at the girls' apartment.
Eventually, both of
the guys succeed in achieving their goal…well, almost. Their plans for an
evening of sexual satisfaction is put on extreme halt when they are forced to go
out for condoms, after Nikki's dog gets saliva all over the one Rushon had ready
to go. This sets up a number of embarrassing situations for Bunz and Rushon,
some of which I choose not to go into detail simply out of good taste, and
believe me; it works better if I leave you to discover the excessive vulgarity
that causes the endless roaring laughter.
However, I will
mention a number of scenes which induce some howling. Bunz and Rushon's fowl ups
with the rubbers result in multiple trips to the nearby convenience store, upon
which the two clerks, both Indian, give them hell each time. In one of their
return trips, the clerks greet them by singing, "You got to lick it, before
you kick it. You've got to make it something worth before you stick it." A
priceless moment, indeed.
Another hilarious
is when Bunz and Lysterine get into some intimacy. When she confesses that she
is turned on by men who do impersonations, Bunz delves into a series of dead on
riffs of Jesse Jackson, Bill Cosby, and the big kicker of them all, William
Shatner. And as for the aforementioned dog who destroyed Rushon's first condom,
that doesn't even begin to describe the stunts this little mutt pulls off. The
foursome's card playing game early in the movie has the dog initiating several
acts which may have you thinking, "Did I just see what I thought I
saw?"
And the laughs
don't stop there, which is kind of amazing for a movie that only clocks in at 79
minutes. Towards the end of the movie, Rushon is rushed to the hospital after an
accidental injury. Again, I don't think I shall go into lengthy detail of the
goings-on in this scene, but I will say I never imagined that not having any
insurance would be such a life saver in the best way a male could ever think
possible.
If there's anything
that can be said about Booty Call,
it's as pure and simple as this: the movie isn't afraid to rise as far below
vulgarity as humanly possible. The laughs in the movie come from some of the
most outrageous and over-the-top acts of vulgarity this side of the Farrelly
brothers. I must give leads Davidson and Foxx extra cred in going the extra mile
and fearing nothing in humility. One thing's for sure, Booty
Call is capable of whipping you into a frenzy laughing state.
Video ****
This marks the
movie's second time arriving on DVD from Columbia Tri Star. I never caught the
original release, but I'm willing to think that has the better deal of the two.
One reason for this is that it isn't a double sided disc with the added full
screen version, as the first release was. The anamorphic picture offers pure
visual clarity and detail throughout, with no specific image flaws of any sort
popping up in the process. Colors are especially alive and vibrant, and perhaps
the presentation's most superb quality. An all around bootylicious looking
flick!
Audio ***
A quite terrific
5.1 audio mix is at service here. The sound quality makes the most of what it
can with a small comedy like this, whose strength is mostly in the area of
dialogue. The audio's two big factors are several scenes of physical comedy
which play out especially nicely. The other is the occasional playback of
several rap and R&B songs on the soundtrack.
Features ***
Although it may not
represent a fully loaded disc, CTS did improve on this area a lot more, judging
from the first disc released early in the game. Included is a commentary track
with director Jeff Pollack and writers Takashi Bufford and Bootsie, as well as
cast members Jamie Foxx, Tommy Davidson and Vivica A. Fox. Also featured is a
documentary titled "Smooth Operator", which consists of interviews
with cast and crew members, in a addition to some opinionated sound bites from
resident experts and everyday people on the street, all of which give their
insight into the term "booty call". Lastly, there's an alternate
ending and a bonus trailer gallery.
Summary:
