Directed by Erik White
Starring: Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, Naturi Naughton, Teairra Mari, Keith David, Charlie Murphy, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Terry Crews, Bill Bellamy, Mike Epps,T-Pain, Loretta Devine, Ice Cube
Studio: Warner Bros.
Running Time: 95 minutes
Rating: PG-13
Our Score: 4 out of 5 stars
I originally had no interest in seeing this movie but I happened to catch a trailer one day and I thought it looked really funny. I was right. “Lottery Ticket” is a good mix between “Barbershop” and “Friday”, both which share a great quality from this film – Ice Cube. This film has one great ensemble cast. Besides being funny it also has a really big heart and delivers a positive message.
Bow Wow stars as Kevin Carson who purchases a lottery ticket and ends winning the multi-million dollar jackpot. He is then swarmed by his everyone in his neighborhood. Kevin tries to cash in the ticket immediately but it happens to be Fourth of July weekend and he has to wait three whole days. He spends the rest of the movie dodging his new found “friends” and his enemies who have their sights set on him.
Bow Wow is funny in the film and plays his character real well, definitely a step up from his Lil’ Bow Wow days. Brandon T. Jackson plays character Benny and is also really funny. You may know him from “Tropic Thunder”. Terry Crews who is always great pops in for a big and steals the show. Keith David also has a small role as the local teamster and is really funny. Charlie Murphy pops in plays Charlie Murphy, always great. Lastly of course Ice Cube, plays an old ex-boxer who is Kevin’s sort-of mentor. All around great cast and great performances.
The jokes comes fast and hit home every time. The film brings up the question of what you would do if you won the lottery? Who would you trust? Would you help your friends?. “Lottery Ticket” delivers all the above into a fun film that many will hopefully enjoy.
