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Ja Rule, Tim Meadows, Storm P, Meagan Good, Jonathan Silverman ... see more see more... , Farrah Fawcett , Queen Latifah , Gerry Bamman , Rita Owens , Marcia Reed , Ruperto Vanderpool , Marvin H. Albert , Elton Brand , Baron Davis , Mark Cuban , Reg E. Cathey , Frankie Faison , Danny Glover , Jenifer Lewis , Carl Wright , Alice Wright , Jerod Mixon , Jamal Mixon , Deep Katdare , Eve , Marc Plastrik , Thomas James O'Leary , Lance Spellerberg , Wendy Williams , Otis Best , Kevin L. Phillips , Denee Busby , Shawn Andrew , Jesse May , Peggy Cosgrave , William Stone Mahoney , Walter L. Simpson III , Wilhelm Lewis , Antonio Walker , Sandra Mills Scott , Channelle Nazaire , Rodney Henry Jr. , Alex Avant , Divine Compere , Hasani Houston , Julian Douglas , Mehki Clayton-Smith , DJ Enuff , Roxy Noffz

When Todd Anderson (Storm P) signs a 30-million-dollar contract with the New Jersey Nets after being named the number one NBA draft pick of the year, his mother (Jenifer Lewis) vows to prevent her son... read more read more... from forgetting his roots. Not used to balancing his new life with his old, Todd mistakenly invites family and friends from his old neighborhood to his multi-million-dollar house for a cookout on the same day of an important endorsement interview. Though his extravagant family cookouts were welcome at his old digs, Todd's stuffy new neighbors -- particularly the conservative Republican Judge Halsted Crowley (Danny Glover) -- are less than thrilled with the arrival of Todd's massive family. Complicating the situation further is the eccentric neighborhood security guard (Queen Latifah), who takes on the heady assignment of ensuring that none of the private community's rules are broken, as well as two thugs who, determined to get an autographed pair of sneakers, hold up the cookout at gunpoint. Directed by Lance Rivera, The Cookout also features performances from Ja Rule, Eve, Farrah Fawcett, and Jonathan Silverman. ~ Tracie Cooper, Rovi

Flixster Users

48% liked it

7,140 ratings

Critics

5% liked it

43 critics

PG-13, 1 hr. 28 min.

Directed by: Lance Rivera

Release Date: September 3, 2004

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DVD Release Date: January 18, 2005

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Stats: 285 reviews

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Flixster Reviews (285)

  • RemiLogan
    January 23, 2010
    RemiLogan
    The laughs were lukewarm
  • laurabraniganfan1
    September 13, 2009
    laurabraniganfan1
    I originally saw this because of Queen Latifah, but was intriqued to see Farrah Fawcett play Danny Glovers wife! A really funny movie with all the stereo types! Farrah's last big screen film.
  • irishannie4
    May 16, 2008
    irishannie4
    i never heard of this till my friend brought it over..it was funny and alot of current known cast members..i laughed
  • joyouskiss
    November 8, 2007
    joyouskiss
    Queen Latifa as always is a fantastic and funny actress! This is a good movie with its hilarious moments.

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Critic Reviews

J. R. Jones
January 5, 2007
J. R. Jones, Chicago Reader

This is one dull party. Full Review

Lisa Schwarzbaum
September 9, 2004
Lisa Schwarzbaum, Entertainment Weekly

Todd's payday apparently sends comedy backward in time, and we're in the 1970s, ethno-sitcom style. Full Review

Frank Scheck
September 8, 2004
Frank Scheck, Hollywood Reporter

A painfully unfunny, would-be comedy.

Akiva Gottlieb
September 7, 2004
Akiva Gottlieb, Village Voice

The pointlessness of The Cookout exudes a modicum of charm, but the simple-minded mess still lacks the wit and moral weight of an episode of Family Matters. Full Review

Joe Leydon
September 7, 2004
Joe Leydon, Variety

Proceeds at a rambling pace without developing much in the way of comic momentum or scoring many laugh-out-loud high points. Full Review

Carla Meyer
September 7, 2004
Carla Meyer, San Francisco Chronicle

The jokes are not just stale; they can also be labor-intensive. Full Review

Roger Moore
September 7, 2004
Roger Moore, Orlando Sentinel

Lacks flavor, laughs and insight. Full Review

Megan Lehmann
September 7, 2004
Megan Lehmann, New York Post

A feeble mess.

Robert Dominguez
September 7, 2004
Robert Dominguez, New York Daily News

A lifeless comedy featuring a cast of familiar faces who must have needed the paycheck. Full Review

Kevin Thomas
September 7, 2004
Kevin Thomas, Los Angeles Times

The Cookout is good-natured but it's a dud. Full Review

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

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The Cookout Trivia

  • i was a clerk in last holiday got jazzy in chicago co-produce and starred in the cookout liz bailey in living out loud calvin's former flame in barber shop 2  Answer »
  • Who played the security person in the movie "THE COOKOUT"? Also played in "TAXI"!!!!  Answer »
  • What 2004 comedy starred the following actors and actresses? Ja Rule, Jenifer Lewis, Tim Meadows, Meagan Good, Storm P, Farrah Fawcett, Jonathan Silverman, Eve, Frankie Faison, Danny Glover   Answer »
  • In what movie did Queen Latifa star as a 'rent a cop'?  Answer »
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