Be Cool info and tons of opinions

Be Cool, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s latest movie project, also starring John Travolta, Uma Thurman, Danny DeVito, Cedric the Entertainer, and Vince Vaughn among many other high-profile entertainers hit theatres today. There’s been a lot of noise about Rock and how his role in the film turns out. I also noticed that there’s been a lot of interest from wrestling fans to see how things turn out for their hero. As of this writing, sources are reporting that Be Cool should debut at #1 in the box office for its first week and it will gross approximately $22.5 million. Of course, this is just a projection. I’ll have the actual number for you later in the week. The movie is a continuation of the 1995 hit Get Shorty. (The word sequel has been used by everyone, but technically it isn’t a sequel.) Get Shorty helped Travolta make a strong return to the main scene, following a series of gimmicked movies (to throw in a wrestling term in there), such as Pulp Fiction. I looked around the web for some reviews on mostly Rock’s work, as well as the movie overall. As you’ll notice below, the general opinion is that the movie is nothing spectacular, with some calling it a failure, however, the bigger news here for wrestling fans is that Rock steals the flick. Here are some opinions on Be Cool.

“The sole exception to this parade of unsavory types is a gay Samoan bodyguard, Elliot Wilhelm, played with great good humor by the Rock. Charming and unexpectedly funny, the Rock wears his muscles and his role lightly. Although the character is subjected to a number of crude gay epithets, none of which I recall from the novel, the Rock deflects their sting by making Elliot into a pussycat and stealing the show. Elliot looks like a stone-cold killer, but that isn’t the part he yearns to play: he sings (his cover of Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough” is all heart and no ear), but what he really wants to do is act. His audition monologue for Chili is the only reason to recommend “Be Cool” when it shows up any minute now on DVD.”

— The New York Times (This would be the review with the most credibility, and perhaps the one review most people would get to read.)

“‘Be Cool’ has only one saving grace, and it’s not the unfunny Uma Thurman as a sexy L.A. record executive (although she still looks spectacular in a bikini) or Cedric the Entertainer as the Oreo owner of a rap label — it’s wrestler-turned-actor The Rock (“The Scorpion King”). He’s Vaughn’s bodyguard/henchman, and an aspiring actor/singer trying desperately (and failing miserably) to hide the fact that he’s more than a little light in the loafers.

It is side-splittingly funny to watching this buffed, 290-lb. half-Samoan warble through Loretta Lynn songs and proudly smack his own rear when catching a glimpse of himself in a mirror — and he manages to do this, and much more, without becoming a homosexual caricature. As outlandish as he seems, this guy is the most human character in the movie.”

— SplicedWire.com

“Recycled jokes – like another running gag about Chili’s automotive options – and more cameos (like Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry) feel more like desperation than inspiration. And you have to be concerned when the funniest guy in a large-cast ensemble comedy is The Rock, sampling his audition piece from ‘Bring It On.'”

— The Salt Lake Tribune

“But the movie belongs to ex-pro wrestler The Rock (Dwayne Johnson) as Raji’s aspiring actor bodyguard, Elliot. Not only is he playing a tough guy who’s slightly naive and honestly sweet, but a homosexual fond of cowboy outfits and the cheerleading epic Bring it On. Rock, with his, in this case, needy million-watt smile and eyes that move from meltingly approachable to foolishly menacing (yes, he cocks the eyebrow, but it’s a winning in-joke) creates a character that is never made silly or stereotypical. It’s a brave performance that seems only capable by an actor of intelligence and wit. Credit is all to The Rock, but thankfully, director F. Gary Gray, in the middle of his muddled movie, allowed this performance, never once stopping the actor from making all the correct choices. Be Cool may not be the swiftest piece of cinema out there, but when it has its moments with The Rock, they absolutely kill. At those times, the movie finally becomes—yes—cool. ”

— Reel.com

“The Rock plays Vince Vaughn’s possibly-gay bodyguard who gets really offended when called certain derogatory-towards-gay people terms. The Rock’s entire role is more or less acting fruity, which, to me isn’t funny. “Too gay to function” stereotypes (thanks, Mean Girls) aren’t funny anymore.”

— CinemaBlend.com

“The biggest reason to see Be Cool or at least scan through it when it gets to DVD is for The Rock. He simply steals the show in this film as Elliot Wilhelm, a gay bodyguard with a penchant for Loretta Lynn and a burning desire to be a star. Rock sends his own rep up relentlessly, including mocking his own trademark eyebrow raise. Some key moments include a scene where we see a portion of a music video Elliot made. Wearing a bright red country western outfit and a cowboy hat, Elliot sings a pretty great rendition of Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).” In a scene that is Be Cool’s best moment, Elliot auditions for Chili by reciting a monologue between Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union from Bring it On. Elliot recites both sides of the conversation, complete with neck sways and snaps. Awesome!”

— Film Force

“Vincent Vaughn is extremely annoying as Keitel’s white Jewish partner – who thinks he’s black – but the Rock reveals unsuspected comic talent as Vaughn’s flamboyantly gay Samoan bodyguard, an aspiring actor who breaks into Chili’s house to show him an audition tape in which he innocently sings “You’re Not Woman Enough to Take My Man.”

— The New York Post

“For the most part, the ensemble cast of “Be Cool” is a second-rate version of the stars who populated “Get Shorty.” An exception is wrestler-turned-actor, The Rock. The Rock steals the film and shows he truly does have great comic timing. As a gay wannabe actor/country singer he nails the performance, even going so far as to make fun of his own patented ‘lifted eyebrow’ maneuver.”

— About.com

“There has been a lot of publicity about the breakout role of The Rock as Raji’s gay bodyguard, Elliot Wilhelm. This is because The Rock not only embraces his role, he appears to be enjoying himself and involved with his character. Everyone else is mugging for the camera.”

— FilmsInReview.com

“”Be Cool’s” plot is more convoluted and complicated than it needs to be. All of the various interconnecting stories, schemes, frames, and set-ups could have and should have been more streamlined, this is a text book case of a cast being too big and unwieldy, but somehow it all works and fits. The Rock and Vince Vaughn basically steal this film with their over the top, take no prisoners performance.”

— EclipseMagazine.com

“His flunky, Elliott, as played by The Rock, is the main reason to see “Be Cool” though,

convinced that his talent for raising one eyebrow is his ticket to the big time. Elliott’s audition’ for Chili, playing both Kirsten Dunst and Gabrielle Union’s parts in the cheerleading movie “Bring It On,” is only a warm-up for his swishy country music video.”

— ReelingReviews.com

“Here’s something I never thought I’d say amid a star vehicle like this one: Former wrestling poser The Rock is the best thing in the movie. He’s a reluctant bodyguard to Vaughn, with a penchant for showtunes and prancing cowboy boots. The Rock manages to send up tough guys, wrestlers, gay entertainers and actors without hurting anybody. Perhaps he learned that deft choreography in the fake grappling rings.”

— DenverPost.com

“A genial hodgepodge, mostly: Christina Milian’s substantial new cuts give her artistic profile a much-needed boost, and there’s nothing wrong with well-worn Kool and the Gang, James Brown and Sonny and Cher oldies. But Cool is dragged down by the Rock’s very lame gay-joke version of Loretta Lynn’s ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough.'”

— RollingStone.com

“The deal with The Rock’s character is that he is manifestly gay, although he doesn’t seem to realize it. He makes dire threats against Chili Palmer, who disarms him with flattery, telling him in the middle of a confrontation that he has all the right elements to be a movie star. Just as the sleazy producer in “Get Shorty” saved his own life by listening to Chili’s pitch, now Chili saves his life by pitching The Rock.”

— RogerEbert.com

“The Rock, who has already made a smooth transition from the wrestling ring to the big screen, almost steals the film. The man has a knack for comedy and I hope he does a few more between his action films”.

— CrazedFanBoy.com