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What did you think of "3 Strikes"?   Good 50% 159   Bad 32% 102   Somewhere in between 5% 15   Haven't seen it 13% 43 Total Votes   319

Verdict: Just plain dumb.

Details: Starring DJ Pooh, N'Bushe Wright and Brian Hooks. Rated R for pervasive language, strong sexual content, some drug use and a brief scene of violence. 1 hour, 23 minutes.

Review: Rap music is based in part on "samples," such as a bass line or a guitar riff lifted from other performers' compositions.

Rap producer D.J. Pooh applies a similar approach to his directorial debut, "3 Strikes." The lowbrow urban comedy, which was not screened for critics, snatches most of its ideas from other movies — most notably "Friday," which Pooh co-wrote with Ice Cube.

Pooh trots out the same tired cliches and stereotypical characters that have been seen in a host of hip-hop comedies. It attempts to draw laughs from crude sex gags and juvenile flatulence jokes that are delivered amid a constant stream of strong profanity.

Unoriginal and insulting, "3 Strikes" goes down without scoring a single chuckle.

The story involves a newly released convict, Rob Douglas (Brian Hooks), who unwittingly accepts a ride home from prison in a stolen car and winds up in a police shootout on the Los Angeles freeway. A two-time offender, Rob faces a mandatory sentence of 25 years to life if he is caught and convicted for another crime.

California's controversial "three strikes and you're out" law, from which the film takes its title, is Pooh's ostensible target. But apart from a gag about a repeat offender getting 25 years for stealing a slice of pizza, the broad comedy is just a foolish fugitive caper.

Pooh's screenplay slaps together a series of vignettes involving Rob's struggle to clear his name while staying one step ahead of trigger-happy L.A. police detective Jenkins (David Alan Grier), as well as Tone (Faizon Love), the hulking neighborhood heavy who blames Rob for not backing up car thief J.J. (De'Aundre Bonds) in the shootout.

Rob also must contend with his demanding girlfriend, Juanita (N'Bushe Wright), who suspects him of cheating on her from the moment he leaves prison.

The ludicrously drawn supporting players include Jenkins' pot-smoking partner (Dean Norris); a heavy-set sexual freak (Mo'Nique) who ransoms crucial evidence; and a television news anchor (Pooh) who mugs, curses and smokes on the air.

Pooh has produced and directed a number of music videos, and he gives the low-budget film a professional look. However, his script is more of a premise than a plot.

Hooks' performance as the hapless ex-con on-the-lam is the only appealing aspect of the film. The wiry young actor previously starred in the urban comedy "Phat Beach" and also had roles in "Beloved," "Bullworth" and "Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me."

"3 Strikes" features appearances by rap stars E40, Kam and King T, who also appear on the film's soundtrack album, which Pooh produced.

If the lame-brain comedies that came before it are any indication, Pooh will recoup his investment from the album sales, regardless of how his dumb film performs.

— Dave Larsen, Cox News Service

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