By HOWARD MCQUITTER II
5/5 STARS
New Line Cinema
1990
Comedy
Nothing is more energetic, more fun and more entertaining than young Black people gathering at a neighbor’s house for dancing, all in all having a good time. (Unfortunately, gun violence [and sometimes knife violence] and other altercations have greatly marred many house parties in recent decades.)
To be honest, director Reginald Hudlin and producer Warrington Hudlin’s House Party (1990) appears to be incredibly dated, but the movie is a remarkably charming, funny and intelligent comedy.
Kid ‘n Play (Christopher Reid and Christopher Martin) started their careers as rap artists before moving into movies. But when they moved into Hollywood, both men, in conjunction with Reginald and Warrington Hudlin, wanted to make an African American comedy to remember.
The storyline in House Party starts out when Play’s parents go out of town. He has a “master” plan to host the house party of all house parties. And, of course, his best friend Kid is all up for the event. Both men have their eyes on Sydney (Tisha Campbell), the sexiest girl in school, hoping she will come. Just when plans are going smoothly, Kid gets into a fight at school and is grounded by his father (Robin Harris). There’s only one way Kid can attend the party – sneaking out of the house.
Once everybody arrives at the party, the dancing and socializing is like spontaneous combustion. What adds to this feat is a fabulous soundtrack.
Although I haven’t seen the new House Party (2023), to my understanding it is neither a sequel nor a remake of the House Party trilogy of the 1990s.
Cast: Christopher Reid (Christopher ‘Kid’ Harris), Christopher Martin (Peter ‘Play’ Martin), Martin Lawrence (Bilal), Tisha Campbell (Sydney), Robin Harris (Pop), Adrienne-Joi Johnson (Sharane), Bowlegged Lou (Pee-Wee), John Witherspoon (Mr. Strickland), Kelly Jo Minter (LaDonna), Lou B. Washington (Uncle Otis), Kimi Sung (Suuni), Jaime Cardriche (Tattoo), Desi Arnez Hines II (Peanut), Bebe Drake (Mrs. Strickland), Mike Pniewski (Cop), Edith Fields (Principal), Anthony Johnson ( E.Z.E.), George Clinton (DJ), Daryl Mitchell (Chill), Shaun Baker (Clint), Richard McGregor (Everett), Norma Donaldson (Mildred), Cliff Frazier (Brutus), Bentley Kyle Evans (Boy), Paul O’Grady (Lily Savage).
Director/Screenwriter: Reginald Hullin.
Producer: Warrington Hullin.
Original Music: Marcus Miller and Lenny White.
Cinematography: Peter Deming.
Art Director: Susan Richardson.
Running time: 100 minutes. (R)
