White Chicks

from Film Forum, 07/01/04

"From the movie's commercials and previews, one might think that the Wayans brothers' comedy White Chicks … might be dreadful," says Anne Navarro (Catholic News Service). "And one would be correct."

You'll have a hard time finding any critics to argue with her.

The Wayans' brothers continue to score at the box office with a comedy about two black FBI agents who don the guises of female Caucasian airheads in order to work undercover. But according to religious press film critics, it's not just the costumes that are pathetic.

"White Chicks comes off as crass and just on the verge of mean," Navarro continues. "None of the humor is original, and all of it has been done better elsewhere. The transparent can't-we-just-all-get-along lessons are the only things that are truly laughable."

Tom Neven (Plugged In) says, "This is basically a one-joke movie dragged through the toilet on the way to the boudoir. Based on their consistent output over the years, the Wayans seem to have stopped maturing in the sixth grade, such is the level of their humor."

Douglas Downs (Christian Spotlight) says, "White Chicks is an R-rated film disguised as PG-13. That is the biggest 'drag' of all."

Many mainstream critics wish the Wayans would go undercover and stay there.