Be Cool

Arguably Get Shorty remains the best-ever adaptation of an Elmore Leonard novel, and while this sequel tries hard to emulate its hip, flip style, it just can't carry it off. This time around, wise guy-turned-movie producer Chili Palmer (John Travolta) has tired of the film business and decides to try his luck with the music industry. However, he quickly discovers that making records can be even more dangerous than making movies. Unfortunately, Be Cool's music-business machinations lack the ring of authenticity that the Tinseltown wheeling and dealing had in Get Shorty, and Vince Vaughn's pantomime turn as one of the villains is just embarrassing. On the plus side, Travolta and Uma Thurman - as a record-label boss that he befriends - exude an easy-going charisma, Cedric the Entertainer is great as a preppy gangsta-rap producer and even The Rock is on good form as a very camp wannabe actor. Ultimately, though, it's just not cool enough.