Barbershop:The Next cut  tries to shape-up the southside of chicago

The Southside of Chicago has a dangerous reputation, something the folks at "Calvin's" barbershop are tackling in this third film in the "Barbershop" series.  The stylists try to deal with customers in rival gangs and work around the animosity, but the violence keeps coming too close to home. Not only are the barbers dealing with the very real possiblity of  gang fights in the shop, but "Calvin's" son, now  middle schooler, is being recuited by a local gang. The boy, in typical teen-age fashion, doesn't understand why his father sets such tough rules for him, when his friends don't have to deal with the same restrictions.  Dad tries to explain that taking care of a family is part of being a man. 

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Ice Cube returns to the big screen as "Calvin." He's teamed up again with Cedric the Entertainer, Anthony Anderson and Eve.  Also taking a turn behind the chair are Regina Hall, Nicki Minaj and Common. The script by Kenya Barris (Black-ish) and Tracy Oliver focuses more on the battle of the sexes than the battle on the streets. . The abundance of comedians in the film bogs it down as bit as everyone tries to get in their bit of schtick. Still, the message is a positive one and one that should play well in movie theaters and on DVD down the road.