Be Cool

Be Cool has its moments, but it inevitably suffers by comparison to its predecessor, Get Shorty, an infinitely better movie. While Get Shorty was a refreshingly smart and non-pretentous comedy, relying as much on plot as laughs, Be Cool feels more like a succession of simple minded gags strung together in a weak attempt to form a plot. Some moments do show comedic merit, such as the Mongolian food scene, but these moments (though undeniably funny) can't make up for the overwhelming crapness of the whole experience. The fault can be layed directly at the feet of director F. Gary Gray, who relies too much on close-ups and fast cuts, instead of just letting the scenes run. **1/2 out of 5.