Since his breakthrough role in “Boyz in the Hood”, Ice Cube has transcended the role of a rap superstar and emerge to become one of Hollywood’s well-known actors, starring in films such as “Higher Learning” and “Trespass.”

In his latest movie “Barber Shop”, he plays Calvin, a young barbershop owner who is struggling to keep the family business running. He finds himself surrounded by a colorful cast of characters, which include Cedrick the Entertainer, Eve, Sean Patrick Thomas, Michael Ealy, Troy Garity and Leonard Earl Howze.

This line-up helped to create an image of the good ole’ neighborhood barbershop where everybody is welcome to chop it up about everything, anything and nothing at all.

The barbershop is the place where your problems aren’t too big to be discussed among friends and someone is always willing to lend some helpful advice.

Cedrick the Entertainer plays a hilarious character who drops superb one liners throughout the whole movie. He actually becomes Calvin’s backbone and presents us with a pillar upon which the barbershop stands on!

It can also be said that he is the back up that Ice Cube needed to make “Barbershop” the No. 1 movie for the last two weeks!

Eve is one sister who proves she can hold her own in the company of “barbershop brothas,” as she gives her boyfriend the boot, demands her respect from her barbershop brethren and makes her theater debut all in the same stroke.

Troy Garity plays Isaac, the white barber who everyone sees as a ghetto fabulous Eminem, there’s Ricky (Michael Ealy), the ex-con trying to liberate himself from the shackles of a police officer who has it in for him.

On the other hand, Sean Patrick Thomas plays Jimmy, an educated-fool that thinks he knows it all and his degree makes him an expert on social behavior and cultural influence.

My favorite scene puts Ricky at center stage explaining why “reparations” is a bad idea.

In my opinion this scene transcended the cliche ex-con stereotype that many movies present.

This movie is equipped with all the necessary ingredients to make comedy gumbo!

Even so, Calvin can’t see past his nose. He can only view the barbershop as a setback to his recording studio dreams.

He and his wife are expecting a child so he finds himself making a hasty decision to sell the family business.

Don’t get me wrong, I am not saying “Barbershop” is the year’s best comedy, but I am saying that “Barbershop” was a very mature comedy dealing with everyday problems and everyday issues mixed with a little silliness, which made for one hell-of-a movie. All jokes aside this was a good movie.