MVD Entertainment Group's Marquee Collection Grows By Two With Blu-ray Editions Of Barbershop And Barbershop 2: Back In Business On Sept. 11

MVD Entertainment Group just got two new Marquee Collection additions with news this past week that director Tim Story’s 2002 comedy blockbuster, Barbershop, and its 2004 hit-sequel from director Kevin Rodney Sullivan, Barbershop 2: Back in Business, will be available for the first time on Blu-ray on Sept. 11.

Already heading home as a Blu-ray product offering — also for the first time — on Sept. 11 is the 2005 spin-off, Beauty Shop, starring Queen Latifah.

Ice Cube plays Calvin Palmer, the proprietor of a South Side Chicago barbershop that he inherited from his father.   The place is more than just a barbershop, it is a gathering place, but Calvin doesn’t quite get that, so he decides to cash out and do something else with his life (big plans to set up a recording studio).

That’s the catalyst, his desire to abandon his special role in the local community, that sets things in motion … he sells the place to Lester (Keith David), the local loan shark, and then has second thoughts about that decision when one of his employees, Ricky (Michael Ealy), is falsely arrested by the police.   

A pick-up truck owned by Ricky — a former gangbanger with two strikes against him — ripped an ATM out of the wall of the local market and made off with it.   When Calvin discovers who the real ATM bandit is he knows in his heart-of-hearts that he has to set things right.

Meanwhile, news of the sale — and closing — of the barbershop does not sit well with the staff, who demand that Calvin “un-think” his decision!

Barbershop is a non-stop laugh fest that swings back and forth between Calvin’s frustrations in trying to undo what he has done and the antics of the staff, especially Eddie (played by Cedric the Entertainer), who has wild theories on just about any aspect of black culture.

Bonus features include commentary by director Tim Story (Taxi, Ride Along, Think Like a Man, etc.), writer Don Scott, Jr., producers Robert Teitel (Soul Food, Men of Honor, Mudbound, etc.) and George Tillman, Jr. (Roll Bounce, Mudbound), plus seven deleted scenes with optional commentary from filmmaker Tim Story.

Other bonus nuggets are outtakes, a blooper reel, a quartet of “Behind-the-Scenes” featurettes, the featurette titled “Barber Banter” and the Fabolous music video — with P. Diddy and Jagged Edge — titled “Trade it All.”

Barbershop was such a monster theatrically that a sequel was a no-brainer … so two years later director Kevin Rodney Sullivan delivered Barbershop 2: Back in Business, which match the original almost dollar for dollar at the box office.

Calvin has settled into his role in the neighborhood, most of the cast from the original Barbershop are back — including Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer) and Terri (played by recording artist Eve) — and we have the introduction of Gina (Queen Latifah, who will star in the spin-off, Beauty Shop in 2005).

The MacGuffin this time is the arrival of big time developer Quentin Leroux (Harry Lennix) and his Nappy Cuts upscale operation across the street from Calvin’s place.   The fun and chaos spin out from this, but we all know — or at least sense — that order will be restored to the neighborhood by the final reel.

Bonus features include two commentary options.   One features cast members Cedric the Entertainer, Sean Patrick Thomas, Troy Garity and Jazsmin Lewis, while the second teams director Kevin Rodney Sullivan (How Stella Got Her Groove Back) with the aforementioned producing team of George Tillman, Jr. and Robert Teitel.

Additional bonus goodies included with the Marquee Collection Blu-ray presentation of Barbershop 2: Back in Business are a half-dozen deleted scenes, outtakes, the Mary J. Blige music video “Not Today,” the music video from Sleepy Brown, “I Can’t Wait” and a behind-the-scenes photo gallery.