What Men Want

Movie Review: What Men Want 

Back in 2000 Mel Gibson and Helen Hunt brought us What Women Want.  I remember that being pretty decent but would be hard press to say more than that.  So, nineteen years later, under the everything that’s old is new again (i.e. no new ideas) Paramount flipped the switch, cast Taraji P. Henson and Aldis Hodge and released What Men Want.  The trailers looked a bit iffy to me, but in the mood for a good laugh I threw caution (and $6) to the wind and checked this one out.

My initial thoughts during the opening fifteen minutes or so were lukewarm at best.  There are some humorous moments, but the film is slow and didn’t exactly grab my complete attention (as in I was thinking about getting Chinese for dinner). Fortunately, things take an upswing after the slow start and get better and better as the film moves on.  So much so, even though there were only a handful of us in the theater, I had trouble hearing the last twenty minutes plus of the movie the guy behind me was laughing so hard.

Not every joke is a winner.  In fact, there are some cringeworthy doozies, but let me tell you, there are far more seriously funny lines/bits/scenes in this film.   I’m talking laugh out loud, hope you aren’t eating anything, or you’ll choke moments.  The wedding scene alone had me on the floor.  No spoilers, but $#@! got real!  I couldn’t help but enjoy myself and that was the whole point of seeing the film. Erykah Badu’s psychic Sister cracked me up every time.  Be sure to watch the credits for some additional “psychic” readings she gives.  Truthfully, the casting is solid all the way around.  Wendi McLendon-Covey (of The Goldberg’s and Bridesmaids fame), Josh Brener, Richard Roundtree, and Max Greenfield in particular add an extra punch of depth and emotion to the film along with the funny.  Even the cameos pay off.

What Men Want also features an infectious, bumping soundtrack, moral/self-reflecting lessons (without being preachy), and heartfelt moments.  All told, the film has an unexpected amount of warmth. A quick word of caution. The R rating is definitely well deserved as the film is profanity laced from beginning to end and can easily be categorized as vulgar by some. 

I went into What Men Want wanting to be entertained and to have a good laugh or two.  I got that and more.  It’s mindless entertainment that also makes you think and delivers some surprises along the way. Goodness knows I’ve sat through worse (I’m looking at you JLo, Second Act had me wanting my money back and I didn’t even pay for that one).  I’m going to give this one a 7.  Again, if you do see it, stay for the first part of the credits.