The 90s are back or at least a quick taste of it. Over the weekend (January 13), a new installment of the 1990’s comedy franchise House Party was released in theaters. Directed by Los Angeles music video producer turned director, CALMATIC, the film takes place in the city of angels and follows the lives of best friends Kevin (Jacob Latimore) and Damon (Tosin Cole).
Kevin (Latimore) and Damon (Cole) are celebrity housekeepers who are barely making it. Kevin who is level headed and a devoted father is in need of money to care for his young daughter, Damon on the other hand is a social media crazed party promoter who has goals of becoming the best party promoter in Los Angeles. The friends find themselves in a bind when they are notified that the house they are in will be their last assignment. With the feeling of nervousness rushing over him, Kevin has lost all hope. While roaming the house Damon soon realizes the home belongs to Lebron James. Realizing this may be his only shot at success Damon convinces Kevin to throw a party in the home.
Now, while this new version of “House Party” is not like the original one, Calmatic’s newest version is meant to create a more current approach to a classic storyline, not a sequel or a remake but a reimagining if you will and it does just that. Throughout the film fans will feel a sense of deja vu while watching certain scenes in the movie. The most notable scene that was mimicked greatly was the famous party dance scene. Originally between Kid, Play, Tisha Campbell and A.J. Johnson, the 2023 version shows Kevin and Damon (Latimore and Cole) dancing with Tinashe and Venus (Karen Obilom). You can also expect a number of guest surprises including WattsHomieQuan and Home Grown’s very own DJ Hed and Chuck Dizzle. West Coast natives, especially those who are fans of the franchise, will definitely experience a sense of home with this film.
As I was watching this scene, a slight smile crept across my face with the sudden feel of nostalgia. Die hard House Party fans will definitely appreciate seeing the influences of the original film with a new school feel. The original House Party is a film that over the years has been credited as being culturally significant, even being selected by the National Film Registry in 2022.
Overall the film does a great job in showing the way love, loyalty, and friendship are important especially in the black community. The film is a definite must see, guaranteed to produce laughs. So if you want a good laugh and a taste of a modern twist to House Party, be sure to check it out. Now playing in a theater near you!
Article by: Kerrington Dillion