IN THE original Barbershop, Calvin (Ice Cube) and his close-knit team barely survived a take-over bid to their family-run barbershop on the south side of Chicago.

For the sequel, the pressures of competition and modernisation continue to take their toll.

Greedy entrepreneur Quentin Leroux (Lennix) plans to open a slick Nappy Cutz franchise across the street in direct competition with Calvin's shop.

The new emporium promises a whole host of flashy extras and is heavily endorsed by the Chicago City Council, who are keen to tear down all of the old neighbourhood stores.

Calvin and his team - including old-timer Eddie (Cedric the Entertainer), hard-edged Terri (Eve), shy Dinka (Howze), and token white barber Isaac (Garity) - battle on, confident that customer loyalty will see them through.

Next door, beauty salon owner and stylist Gina (Latifah) fears that Nappy Cutz will put her out of business and she lends her support to Calvin in his bid to keep the neighbourhood untainted by big business.

Barbershop 2 - Back In Business is a uninspired re-styling of the original film.

Screenwriter Don D Scott trims a few split ends and introduces a couple of new characters but this is essentially the same picture, underscored with familiar messages of unity and friendship in the face of adversity.

The characters haven't moved on at all: Dinka still has a secret crush on Terri, who is constantly infuriated by the disappearance of her apple juice from the staff room.

Cedric The Entertainer again embraces his role as the controversial social commentator, who holds court to offer his politically incorrect spin on the issues of the day including the Washington sniper.

Unfortunately, he mumbles his rants against the world so it's extremely difficult to understand what he is saying.

The banter between the characters is still the most pleasing aspect of the film and there is a tangible camaraderie between the actors as they gel and wax lyrical.

If only they had something new to say.

Rating 4/10