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.

This movie did not deliver. I love black comedy like the Friday movies. This movie was NOTHING like Friday. In fact, it was extra lame. There were a few funny scenes but not that funny. That old man with a stick was kind of goofy. Tim Meadows was the highlight of the movie and his lines totaled approximately 5 minutes of dialogue. I love cookouts and love the music but geeze, there are no family gatherings that I know of where a Butler named JEEVES is hanging around. Those grotesque fat twins were annoying. The pot smoking scene with them and Mertaw from LETHAL WEAPON was horrendous. I was disgusted with the way they looked and acted. Ja Rule was very annoying as Bling Bling and his sidekick was just awful. The dude BIG PUSSY from The Sopranos was OK as a doo doo salesman. All in all, I would say avoid this piece of trash.

This movie was recommended by a friend of the family, who happened to think this movie was outright hilarious, mainly because of Queen Latifah. I thought the same.I would recommend this movie to anyone who can handle African American jokes (surely that are not meant to be offensive) and loves comedy! I would NOT recommend this to anyone who takes life too seriously, or who has no sense of humor.My favorite part is when Todd's cousin is at the gate telling The Cop (Queen Latifah) off!! Haha, that was definitely a memorable moment.Some other slapstick moments are when the chefs are preparing the cookout meal and when Meagan Good is elated about getting this mansion.This will be worth the while, so please do watch it!

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.