Schools are wrapping up, and I know there'll be a lot of graduation parties and just general summer parties going down pretty soon (if they aren't already). In honor of this, I bring you the original House Party Trilogy. Enjoy.



House Party 3
Review by Jon Waterman

**

Kid is finally ready to settle down with the girl he loves. Play respects his decision, although he doesn’t agree with it. But, while he can’t and won’t stop the wedding from happening, he can at least throw the best bachelor party the world has ever seen. His plans run into a snag when business mixes with pleasure. Play uses money given to him as a finders fee for a budding new music group to fund the festivities. The band doesn’t sign with Play, however, and now the tour promoter wants his non-existent cash back. Sounds like they’re in for one wild night.

The third installment of the trilogy almost brings it back to the level of the first film. First-time writer Takashi Buford (who worked on the story with “In Living Color” writer David Toney) breaks away from all the horrible things the sequel incorporated and focused mostly on the house parties – which is how it should be.
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++++++++


House Party 2
Review by Jon Waterman

Zero stars

Kid is finally going off to college, just as his late father always wanted. He even got a scholarship check that’s just waiting to be cashed. Unfortunately, Play, who was keeping the check for safe keeping, hands the money over to a phony record producer with the hopes of sparking his rap career. Kid tries everything to get the money raised to stay in college. The only thing that can possibly work is a monster party (complete with cover charge) on campus. If they get caught, Kid gets expelled. If he doesn’t raise enough money, he gets expelled. Will Kid stay in school?

This follow up to the hit comedy from the previous year doesn’t quite hit the mark. Brand new writers and directors were brought in and they just didn’t quite do it justice. First time directors George Jackson and Doug McHenry can’t quite capture that same lively attitude.
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+++++++++


House Party
Review by Jon Waterman

**1/2

Play is holding the biggest house party event of the school year. His parents will be out of town and his friend Bilal is set to spin the hottest cuts. Unfortunately, Kid isn’t allowed to go, because he got into a fight with some bullies at school. There’s no way he’s going to miss this party. Everyone will be there, including every fine honey that strolls the halls. Besides, Kid’s looking to spit some of his fresh new rhymes. Can he sneak out and make it there and back without getting caught and grounded for life?

The popular rap duo breaks into the acting world with less than stellar performances. Kid (aka Christopher Reid) shows a little more promise than the wooden, one-dimensional Play (aka Christopher Martin). Their professional actor co-stars show you the difference between the two.
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