Kathy vs. T.K.’s View of WHAT MEN WANT

WHAT MEN WANT – Rated R – 1 hr. 57 mins. 

DIRECTOR:  Alan Shankman 

WRITERS:  Tina Gordon, Peter Huyck, Alex Gregory (Screenplay)

                    Jas Waters, Tina Gordon (story by)

 Josh Goldsmith, Cathy Yuspa, Diane Drake (earlier Screenplay and story “What Women Want”) 

STARRING:  Taraji P. Henson, Josh Brener, Aldis Hodge, Tracy Morgan, Kellan Lutz, Max Greenfield, Chris Witaske, Brian Bosworth, Richard Roundtree, Auston Jon Moore, Phoebe Robinson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tamala Jones and Erykah Badu 

As we meet the very talented Sports Exec/Manager Ali Davis (Taraji P. Henson), the “boys club” that she isn’t a part of, which is stifling her career.  When a freak accident leads to her being able to hear what men think, Ali has just received “a gift from the Gods” that might just save her career, and her fledgling love life too…

I give WHAT MEN WANT a rating of MUST SEE ON THE BIG SCREEN!  Taraji P. Henson is superb in this role, as we get to see a comedic side to her, through this character, that we aren’t often privy too.  She is fantastic playing the rough and demanding Ali, who is forced to acquire these attributes to go toe-to-toe with the men in her profession.  And talk about the perfect comedic timing throughout…let’s just say I’m hoping that after this film, Henson will be given many more roles that will let her comedic prowess shine through!  I also loved the compilation of men counterparts that were cast for this remake as well, as between Josh Brener playing Henson’s “perfect Assistant”, to Aldis Hodge playing the “super-hot, and super perfect boyfriend” to Former NFL Player Brian Bosworth playing her asshole boss (totally perfect casting!), to one of my favorite sitcom dudes – Max Greenfield – playing her friend and colleague, and then throwing in Tracy Morgan to play the “father on a mission” to see his son reach his “full potential” in the Basketball arena ~ this film has some very top-notch casting every step of the way, which affords it the much needed boost, that the original lacked immensely!  And lest we not forget the funny and heartfelt performances by Taraji’s lady counterparts in this film too, including Phoebe Robinson, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Tamala Jones and Erykah Badu, as without these lovely ladies, this storyline would have gone nowhere!  And even though we assume that men’s minds manage to not deviate too far from the importance of money, sex and sports in their lives, WHAT MEN WANT does manage to jokingly go to other places within a man’s psyche, which goes to prove there is a lot more going on in their minds than we, as women, think there is, they just can’t always find a way to express “all those thoughts” no matter how hard they try! I was intrigued to see how they would re-write this remake too, as I must share that 2000’s WHAT WOMEN WANT was not a “must see” film for me, as the lack of chemistry between Gibson and Hunt was so palatable, I found myself wanting to leave the theater before it was through.  But, I am happy to report, that having seen the advanced screening of this film, and then heading back to theater for its opening night release with one of my bff’s in tow again last night, WHAT MEN WANT was just as funny and engaging the second time around, which for me, is a true testament to the performances throughout, and the reason why I am suggesting that you head to a theater near you this weekend – or take your significant other to see on Valentines Day –  either way, make sure you check out this incredibly funny film!!!

Kathy Kaiser

 

This humble opinion is brought to by you T. K. Edwards

WHAT MEN WANT  – Rated R  – 1 hr. 57 mins

Director by:  Adam Shankman

Cast:  Taraji P. Henson, Tracy Morgan, Aldis Hodge, Josh Brener, Richard Roundtree, Erykah Badu, Tamala Jones, Wendi McLendon-Covey, Phoebe Robinson, Brian Bosworth

A woman who doesn’t understand how men think is somehow given the ability to hear their thoughts without them knowing.

NO SPOILERS BELOW

First let me say I am sooooooooo happy WHAT MEN WANT is rated R because it would absolutely positively NOT work if it was anything else (excluding NC-17 or higher…lmao).  And speaking as a man, we are far too disgusting and vulgar for a good representation of what goes on in our minds to be rated PG-13, so like I said…Thank you for making it R!!!  Secondly, this is not a sequel to WHAT WOMEN WANT. This is a movie based on the same premise as the original, but about a woman that can hear men’s thoughts. That being said, I was astonished by how much I really enjoyed this movie.  I was thinking it was going to be a carbon copy of the Mel Gibson version, but to my surprise it wasn’t. I mean it had some of the same characteristics and plot points as the Gibson version, but in the end WHAT MEN WANT stood on its own and was very entertaining.  I think the one thing about this movie that makes it highly amusing is how serious the comedy was. This was a case where they could have gone well over the top with their jokes and make this movie almost campy, but instead they settled it more in a reality that is plausible.  For example, the thought process of a man presented in this movie is awesome because we don’t just focus on one thing at a time. We’re like the dog in the Pixar movie UP. One minute we’re talking to someone, then all of a sudden…SQUIRREL!!! As far as the cast in this movie I can only give them praise, but if I had to pick one person that steals the show it would have to be Erykah Badu.  She plays the character simply known as Sister and is by far the best thing in WHAT MEN WANT. Badu is completely hilarious in every scene she is in and her comedic timing is perfect. In conclusion, WHAT MEN WANT is the perfect date movie for this upcoming Valentine’s Day holiday. I would definitely tell you to go see this one with your significant other and have a blast! Until next time, thanks for reading.

P.S. – Stay seated through the beginning parts of the credits because there are some extra scenes.