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Next Friday is a 2000 American stoner comedy film and the sequel to the 1995 film Friday. It is the first film to be produced by Ice Cube's film production company Cube Vision, and to be written by Cube himself. It was directed by Steve Carr (in his feature directorial debut) and stars Ice Cube, Mike Epps, John Witherspoon, Justin Pierce, Tamala Jones, Don Curry and Tommy "Tiny" Lister Jr. It is the second installment in the Friday series. It tells the story of Craig Jones as he goes to live with his uncle, who just won the lottery, and cousin in Rancho Cucamonga after the neighborhood bully Deebo escapes from prison. There, Craig contends with three criminal brothers known as the Joker Brothers. Next Friday was theatrically released by New Line Cinema on January 12, 2000, grossing $59.8 million worldwide against an $11 million budget. The film has received generally negative reviews from critics.
A third film, titled Friday After Next, was released in November 2002.
Contents
Plot
After finding out Deebo escaped prison with his brother Tyrone to get revenge on Craig, Willie decides it would be safer for Craig to move to Rancho Cucamonga to live with his uncle Elroy and cousin Day-Day, who just won the lottery, until Deebo is sent back to prison. After some stalling, Craig explains that he really didn't want to leave his neighborhood nor Smokey (who has since gone to rehab) behind. He accepts the fact that he needs to move after a run in with Deebo. Day-Day explains to Craig that while winning the lottery, all of the taxes and fees that were taken out only left them enough to buy their house and a car that is owned by Day-Day. A mailman delivers a notice informing them that their house could face repossession.
Before Craig visits Day-Day at work at a record shop, an angry customer threatens Day-Day. Craig pushes the customer, causing him to run out of the store, and Day-Day introduces Craig to his white skateboarder friend and co-worker Roach. Craig then shows Day-Day the notice. Day-Day hides from his ex-girlfriend D'Wana and her younger yet physically intimidating sister Baby D who constantly harass him saying that he is her baby's father, even though he met her when she was 3 months pregnant. D'Wana throws a brick at his car windshield. Day-Day and Roach's boss Pinky arrives at the store, finding it locked. While Day-Day and Roach are in the back smoking, a scuffle between Craig and Pinky ensues in which Pinky mistakes him for a robber, while Craig tries to explain who he is. Pinky then fires Day-Day and Roach in anger.
Craig, Day-Day and Roach try to figure out how to keep the house. Craig remembers seeing their neighbors, a trio of gang member brothers known as "the Jokers", who live with their sister Karla carrying a hydraulic pump. Suspecting that it may be hiding cash, Craig convinces Day-Day and Roach to help him get inside the Jokers' house and steal their pump.
Later that night, Roach drugs the Jokers' dog, Chico, with cannabis to keep him distracted while Craig sneaks into the Jokers' house. Craig locates the pump finding cash is hidden inside and taking some for himself. He bumps into Karla, who talks about what happened to her mom and the Joker brothers. Craig escapes out of a window. Panicking after the eldest Joker closes the window (the way Craig got into the house), Day-Day and Roach knock on the Jokers' door as a diversion for Craig to escape. After discovering the money from the pump is missing, The Jokers take Day-Day and Roach hostage and tie them up with duct tape.
Cast
Chris Tucker was approached to return as "Smokey", but he declined. This was covered up in Craig's opening narration which stated that Smokey checked in to rehab one month ago. Tucker appears as Smokey in the beginning of the movie via footage from Friday.
Soundtrack
The film's soundtrack, which featured appearances from Aaliyah, Eminem, Bone Thugs-n-Harmony, Ice Cube, N.W.A., Snoop Dogg, Wu-Tang Clan, and Wyclef Jean, peaked at number five on the R&B/Hip-Hop chart, and number nineteen on the Billboard 200 in 2000.
Release
In the United States, the film was released on January 12, 2000.
Home video
Next Friday was released on VHS and DVD format on June 6, 2000. The single disc DVD contains a theatrical trailer, music videos, a "making of..." featurette, behind the scenes footage, and an alternate ending as well as cast and crew information.
Reception
Box office
Next Friday debuted at number one at the US box office and grossed $16.9 million in its opening four-day weekend in 1,103 theaters, averaging $17,450 per theater. The film went on to gross $57.3 million in the United States and Canada and $2.5 million at the international box office, for a total of $59.8 million worldwide. The film is the most successful in the franchise.
Critical response
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 22% based on 65 reviews with an average rating of 4.1/10. The website's critical consensus reads, "Next Friday lacks the fun of the original Friday. The movie is messy and plotless and relies on unfunny vulgar gags." On Metacritic, the film received a weighted average score of 41 based on 25 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews". Audiences polled by CinemaScore gave the film an average grade of "B+" on an A+ to F scale.
Awards
2000 MTV Movie Awards
Best Comedic Performance — Ice Cube (nominated)