There are amazing action scenes each different from one another - in an elevator, a truck, Turkish baths, a mall, running through a market naked whilst Jackie hides his bits, etc, that earn this its decent rating from me. The acting though leaves something to be desired and the story is probably more elaborate than it needs to be in areas but there's no background on how Jackie's character, an exercise equipment salesman, has the skills that he does.
*Original version watched not the butchered international version.
I think this is Timbaland and Magoo's worst album together. The consistency is still decent but the highs aren't as frequent or as high as on their previous two collaborations. The bookend Intro and last song are the only quick skips. 'Don't Make Me Take It There' feels like it has an Eminem hook who seems to get dissed by Timbaland on 'Insane'. - "Handcuffs open my fists go up for Eminem/And when he's walking out his courtcase/I'll be walking in."
One of the three singles, 'Indian Flute', is the best known song from this album, and I give props to TImbaland/Magoo for some unique sounds and hooks throughout this project, but I'm not a fan and think behind the bookends it's one of the lower moments. 'Naughty Eye' feels like a sequel to 'Indian Flute and is the better song. I don't love the hook either but the rapping and production during the verses are engaging. He was never the most attention grabbing rapper, but I notice Magoo less on here as well, with TImbaland seemingly rapping more of the time.
A decent 3 out of 5.
Beats: ★★★☆
Rapping/Bars: ★★★
Hooks: ★★★☆
Best Tracks: Don't Make Me Take It There, Can We Do It Again, Naughty Eye
I appreciate some of the originality here, but 'B.I.B.L.E.' is the only track that caught my attention to any high level. I don't like enough of the production enough.
Best Tracks: B.I.B.L.E.
Everything I've heard from Trae suggests he should stick to short and sharp albums. The standard release for this at 58 minutes is more than long enough let alone the 84 minutes of this director's cut reissue. Be it Trae's similar slow singing and then quick rapping from track to track or the production, there just isn't enough variety. The rating I've given it kind of feels harsh, but it's just too bloated to have replay value as a whole project. There are probably some extra songs I could add to the list below but it's time to move on to another album.
Best Tracks: Havin Motion, First Class, Reconsider, My Soul, I'm Here
The female lead character, Hong Na-ra, was written as too much of a bitch that doesn't make her appealing at all. While the male, No Jeong-yeol, is immature, you see a bit of charm in him at least. That's the main criticism I have. Overwise, it's an enjoyable romantic comedy with some originality in the genre.