`Woo's World Is One To Be Easily Missed

Movie review X 1/2 "Woo," with Jada Pinkett Smith, Tommy Davidson and Duane Martin. Directed by Daisy V.S. Mayer, from a script by David C. Johnson. 85 minutes. Several theaters. "R" - Restricted for language, adult situations and mild sexuality.

Thank goodness the slogan for this Jada Pinkett Smith comedy - "It's her world, we're just living in it" - isn't true. If it were, here's what your home planet would look like: Ninety percent of males would be drooling mutts or drag queens; the rest would be anal-retentive stick men, a la Tommy Davidson. The women would be manipulative strumpets with names like Crayola and Purina - except for the ruler of us all, an emasculating pixie tottering on high heels named Woo (Pinkett Smith).

"Woo" disappoints on so many levels, lacking in wit and intelligence, characters with any sense of dimension and a coherent story line. The biggest shame is that the film wastes the talents of Pinkett Smith and director Daisy V.S. Mayer, who gave us the cult hit "Party Girl."

"Woo" could have used some of the charm that gave "Party Girl" and its star, Parker Posey, a neon glow. Pinkett Smith didn't have much to work with, however.

Woo, a delicious dish about town, goes on a blind date with the tightly wound Tim (Davidson) and gets them in trouble at every turn. No one in his right mind would want to keep up with her. To make matters worse, Tim's misogynistic friends show up periodically to embarrass the pair.

But somehow, Billy Dee Williams, Tim's conscience, and the glam-boy psychic Celestrial (Girlina) persuade the two to give love a shot. You wonder why they should even bother, especially when the film's only example of a long-term relationship is a couple acting out a fantasy involving a pimp and his chicken. All this and rap star Foxy Brown, who drops in at the end threatening to knock out Woo's teeth.

It's a shame that the better half of Hollywood's golden couple was given this as her coming-out party. Pinkett Smith deserves better; she's proved her dramatic mettle in past work and is capable of working the same box-office magic as her husband, Will. Jam-packed with stereotypes and throw-away scenes, "Woo's" world is one you can afford to miss.