Undercover Brother

Starring: Eddie Griffin, Aunjanue Ellis, Chris Kattan, Dave Chappelle

Director: Malcolm D Lee

The film: Taking on a parody is a task fraught with danger for any film-maker, mainly because it is so hard to keep the laughs flowing at a steady clip. Only the true masters of the art - the likes of Mel Brooks - succeed and succeed again. And such is the fate that befalls director Malcolm D Lee (cousin of Spike) and the people behind Undercover Brother. Sure, they set out with all the right intentions, but the film loses its lustre after the first hour.

Eddie Griffin stars as Undercover Brother, modern-day Robin Hood with a wild Afro, hired by the B.R.O.T.H.E.R.H.O.O.D to fight The Man (Robert Trumbull) and his efforts to destroy racial harmony. The film is at its best when our Brother goes deep undercover, posing as a yuppie working for The Man, and when his co-workers, The Chief (Chi McBride), Conspiracy Brother (Dave Chappelle) and Smart Brother (Malcolm In The Middle's Gary Anthony Williams) are given free rein. Their rants and exchanges are hilarious. Griffin does his utmost, but lacks the charm to convince, while Aunjanue Ellis and Denise Richards (pictured with Griffin) get lost somewhere in the scenery.

The extras: An alternate ending that provides a few sniggers but was justifiably left on the cutting-room floor, and a few half-decent out-takes are the best of an ordinary bunch. The Original Shorts that got the whole ball rolling show a biting, acerbic edge the film sadly lacks, and feature Williams giving voice to our hero.

The verdict: A pretty patchy effort that somehow still gives up enough giggles to pass for a bearable night in front of the box.