FOLIO
Grade: C+
In a male-heavy, franchise-laden Summer box-office season, “Girls Trip” looks to be the kind of breakout sleeper hit that “Bridesmaids” became back in 2011. With its raunchy humor and likable stars, Queen Latifah, Jada Pinkett Smith, Regina Hall, as well as newcomer Tiffany Haddish (who is poised to be the kind of breakout star that Melissa McCarthy was when “Bridesmaids” first came out), “Girls Trip” could fare well long-term at the box office.
The plot isn’t anything fresh or unpredictable, but with a script from “Black-ish” creator Kenya Barris and under the direction of Malcolm D. Lee (who directed “The Best Man” and “The Best Man Holiday”) you get a grounded story about friendship, honesty, and loyalty while being blind-sides with loud, outrageous comedy.
With a running time of just over two-hours, it gets a little long in spots even though the laughs keep coming. Even the more sentimental moments become interrupted with a silly gag or one-liner.
This movie isn’t for the faint of heart or for the easily offended. It’s target audience is surely the “girls night out” crowd who want a “Being Mary Jane” plot with “The Hangover” comedic antics.
“Girls Trip” is rated R for crude and sexual content throughout, pervasive language, brief graphic nudity, and drug material.
Follow FOLIO!