[Marcel Lee]

The Hughes Brothers reunite with actor Larenz Tate for their first movie since 1993's Menace II Society; but without a notable plot or likable characters to work with, Dead Presidents seems more an opportunity to cash-in on their sudden cinematic success than meaningful movie-making.

Nevermind an awkard genre switch; which literally takes the plot from ghetto-Bronx romance to Vietnam war action for too long; by the end, the politically-driven story isn't nearly as interesting as its individual scenes.

And that would be fine with better dialog from people whose personalities are attractive enough to make us care whether they live or die. Instead, with the exception of funny-man Chris Tucker; maybe even Tate's girlfriend and their cute little baby girl; we're stuck with people like Bokeem Woodbine, an annoying actor, playing another mentally-retarded character I couldn't wait to see get killed or locked-away for life.

Of course, we're supposed to care about Tate's character (Anthony) most of all; as it all focuses around his life; but, unlike his Menace homie Caine, neither his monetary struggles nor that of the company he keeps can hold the movie above the burial grounds of good-ol american mediocrity.


My Rating = 3 of 5