Just plain AWFUL! Not funny. Stupid. Overly stereotypical. Horrible. Sickening. Insulting.Terrible writing. Idiotic. Silly. Dumb. In NO WAY comical. Huge WASTE of time & just earned the unethical big-name actors a big payday for a WORTHLESS PIECE OF GARBAGE film. They should have been ASHAMED to be in this foolish flick!

Generally I always try to look for the best in everything, but this is just one of those movies that have absolutely no redeeming qualities. It doesn't even have a plot, they just make a bunch of repulsive stereotypes attend a barbecue and hope somewhere along the line something funny will happen. Because you know, some of them contrast, the manual said that would be funny. When that fails, they make Danny Glover wear a rapper outfit, which is embarrassing on so many levels. Occasionally the movie also takes a break from being painfully unfunny and becomes painfully moralising. The only problem is, these morals are really messed-up. Apparently our main character (played by some guy) dreads the visit of his childhood friend Becky, but when it turns out she's grown up to be hot (well, actually she's grown up to be rapper Eve, but close enough) he marries her. Now that's a guy you can build on, at least until you get your first wrinkle. This movie is just highly unpleasant to watch.

The movie had a good message about being responsible and down to earth even after hitting pay dirt. But, the message was nearly drowned in the cheesy delivery. As a result, this ethnic comedy comes off somewhat spoofish because of the mugging and overacting (which obviously was on purpose). I think of The Cookout (2004) as (one of the characters in the movie so aptly put it) a "Black Beverly Hillbillies," like the TV series The Beverly Hillbillies (1962) that was definitely satirical. Although it is true that the stereotypes were carried to the extreme, which explains why some viewers are offended by the material, the same could be said of other spoofs, which purposely border on the ridiculous. The Cookout (2004) is okay to rent, if you take if for what it is.You know, this would have been a good TV movie.

i saw it the first night, for queen's first movie (that she produced) it was OK but i know her talent from previous movies and it could have been better. but i think that the main focus she was going for that family should always stick together. no matter how rich or poor you are your family will always be there for you. don't every let anyone or anything make you change for the worse. money isn't everything, it can't play you happiness. that you find with those you love and those who love you back for you and nothing else. like the character's best friend who always watch his games. his girlfriend was only in it for the money like most females are but his best friend was there before it all started and she loved him for just him.