Rated PG-13 for sexual content, language including a drug reference, some violence and brief underage drinking
Starring Bow Wow, Brandon T. Jackson, Ice Cube, Mike Epps and Charlie Murphy
Directed by Erik White (first feature film)
This movie is a lot like buying a lottery ticket…even though you really don’t expect a winner, you’re still disappointed.
Kevin Carson (Bow Wow) a young man living in the projects, is just an ordinary guy…until he wins $370 million in the Mondo Millions Lottery. That’s the good news. The bad news is, the lottery claim office is closed for the long Fourth of July weekend, so, before he can collect his prize, Kevin is going to have to figure out how to keep a lid on his good fortune and survive the next three days.
As news of his windfall spreads through the community like a grass fire, Kevin quickly discovers the good, the bad and the ugly in his closest friends and neighbors. Girls who could never be bothered before start chasing him down. Everyone wants a piece of him–including the reverend, the local loan shark and one very threatening recent parolee won’t take no for an answer. On edge and on the run, he even begins to question the intentions of his best friend, Benny (Brandon T. Jackson).
He also starts to realize the power he holds in his hands and what this lottery ticket could really mean to him, his future, and the community. It’s funny what people will do when money is involved.
Simply put, this movie is not as good as it could have been. Instead of clever and new situations, the former rapper finds himself trying to bring humor through one cliché after another. Truthfully it’s not all Bow Wow’s fault; the main culprits are writer Abdul Williams and director Erik White. While this is White’s first film, it’s not his first time behind the camera. His other experience comes mostly from directing music videos. And that was painfully obvious in this film as time after time a girl who looked like she just walked off a hip hop video shoot would appear out of nowhere. I mean everyone is dressed real casual and all of a sudden here comes a girl in some short shorts and 10 inch stilettos…ridiculous.
White also needs to learn how to properly use his cast. Looking at the roster of names, I was expecting another “Friday.” Again I was disappointed.
One of the bright spots was Ice Cube, who plays an older, eccentric resident in the project. He won’t win an Oscar, but he was entertaining.
He’s a bright spot, but not bright enough, my advice would be to Skip It.
SHOULD KIDS SEE IT?
This is a 100-minute music video complete with sexual content, language, drugs, violence and drinking. I’m going to say no, it’s probably not a great idea.
Conversation Starter
Three Simple Questions (with Answers You May Be Looking for):
Q: What’s the message/theme of this movie?
A: The theme of Lottery Ticket is that money will change things…and most likely not in good ways. When Kevin Carson wins $370 million in the Mondo Millions Lottery everything changes.
Q: How do you suppose we—as serious Christ-followers—should react to this movie?
A: I think it can be fun to “dream” about what we would do if we were given $370 Million. Would we buy a sports car or a helicopter (a conversation from the film)? Would we give any of it away? Would we use it to try to improve the lives of those around us?
But I also know that the Bible tells us that the love of money is the root of all evil (1 Timothy 6:10).
Q: How can we move from healthy, Bible-based opinions about this movie to actually living out those opinions?
A: The absolute best way for us to overcome greed is to practice generosity. How can you take the resources God has blessed you with and bless others? Is there a missionary your church supports that could really use an extra check this month? Is there a family in your neighborhood that would want a free night of babysitting? Is there a student in your class that would love a dessert or Pepsi but never seems to have enough money? Make an effort this week to be generous.
