Phat Beach Movie Review 1996

Generic but basically harmless buddies-at-the-beach comedy with a hip-hop beat. Fast-talking, slickster Durrell (Hooks) manipulates sensitive, overweight pal Benny (Hopkins, who's real life nickname is "Huggy") into emptying his savings, "borrowing" his dad's Mercedes convertible, and taking off for some Southern California fun. Scores of scantily clad beach bunnies aren't the only ones threadbare--so's the whole premise of this flick--but that's not the point of this lighthearted romp. The likable Hopkins/Hooks comedy team is a hit with precise, lowbrow humor. Coolio, prominent in the ads, is barely window dressing with minimal screen time. Kickin' soundtrack includes E-40, Biz Markie, and SugaT featuring The Click.

Distribution

Artisan Entertainment, 2700 Colorado Ave., Ste. 200, Santa Monica, CA 90404, Phone: (310)449-9200, Fax: (310)255-3730, URL: http://www.artisanent.com, Remarks: Does not handle retail queries from consumers; contact your local video distributor.

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 99 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Buddies, African America, Dream Girls, Beach Blanket Bingo, L.A., Teen Angst, Road Trip, Sex on the Beach

Screenplay

Doug Ellin, Brian E. O'Neal, Ben Morris

Cast

Jermaine "Huggy" Hopkins, Brian Hooks, Jennifer Lucienne, Claudia Kaleem, Gregg D. Vance, Tommy (Tiny) Lister, Erick Fleeks, Alma Collins, Candice Merideth, Sabrina De Pina, Coolio

Cinematography

Jurgen Baum

Director

Doug Ellin

Music

Paul Stewart

Producer

Cleveland O'Neal, LIVE Entertainment