Ice Cube wrote and stars as Craig in this sequel to Friday; which he also wrote. His nemesis from that film; neighborhood bully Debo (Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr.); has just escaped from county jail and is out to get revenge. To protect Craig; Craig's father (John Witherspoon) sends his son to stay with his Uncle Elroy (Don "DC" Curry); who won the lottery and bought a house in Rancho Cucamonga. Craig expects the suburbs to be dull; but no sooner has he arrived than conflicts arise: The neighbors are hostile hoods; his cousin's girlfriend is out for blood and child support; and the house is about to be seized because of unpaid taxes. It's up to Craig and his cousin Day-Day (Mike Epps) to solve these problems before the day is over. It's a rambling; loose movie; but a genuinely entertaining one. Ice Cube doesn't write punch lines--though funny lines abound. He writes richly comic characters that speak in virtual arias of bragging; complaining; and scamming. Sure; some of the characters are stereotypes and many of the jokes are about drugs and scatology--but that's been the basis of humor since Plautus and Moli?re. The rhythmic energy of Ice Cube's dialogue and the easy charisma of his performance make Next Friday thoroughly enjoyable. --Bret Fetzer