Cedric the Entertainer can’t remember who he is exactly but gets it into his head that he’s a spy. Soon crooks are after him and he has to avoid them with the help of the hot Lucy Liu, but does his codename mean he cleans the clocks of his enemies or just that he waxes the floors at an office building?
What the back of the box says:
Cedric the Entertainer is a funny performer, but I don’t think that this particular movie showcases the talent that he displays in his standup or his other successful movies (the Barbershops). This one falls in the category of some of his less than successful screen appearances (The Honeymooners anyone?). I don’t know if the Cleaner goes that low but it really isn’t a movie that’s very funny.
It’s not too bad, but it feels like another of those “guy mistaken for spy” films that there have been many of over the years. I do suppose that his one does offer Nicolette Sheridan prancing about in a nice set of underwear, but that still does not a great movie make (well…..it is nice to look at).
There are a few amusing moments, but there’s nothing that makes this one stand out from the others. Cedric does give it the old college try but it still falls short of the goal. This film really doesn’t make spies or janitors look very good. It might make a good rental for fans of Cedric, but if you’re looking for a funny movie then you might not want to give this one a try.
Code Name: The Cleaner is presented in anamorphic widescreen (1.85:1) and is enhanced for 16x9 televisions. Special features consist of the 20 minute “Moppin’ Up with the Cleaning Crew” featurette. It has interviews with Cedric the Entertainer, Lucy Liu, screenwriters George Gallo and Robert Adetuyi, Nicolette Sheridan, DeRay Davis (“Ronnie”), Mark Dacascos (“Eric Hauck”), Niecy Nash (“Jacuzzi”), first assistant director Sam Harris, sound mixer Eric Batut, and director Les Mayfield. The theatrical trailer is also on the disc.
Though Code Name: The Cleaner is sort of watchable (watch out for Nicolette Sheridan in undies!), I didn’t find it very funny. It features a few snickers here and there but nothing really hilarious. This is not a movie that showcases the funny side of Cedric the Entertainer and you should probably rent one of his standup routines if you’re looking for that. Otherwise you do so at your own discretion, I tried to warn you.
Code Name - The Cleaner is now available at Amazon . As of yet, there is not a release date for the UK. Visit the DVD database for more information.
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