Film is just one bad, boring mix

"In the Mix" is a Romeo-and-Juliet-type story without the deaths, but it's still tragically bad. With the phenomenal success of Usher's "Confessions" album, he ought to be poised to make a killing with his latest film project, but fans will be disappointed to find that "In the Mix" is uninteresting, unoriginal and unsexy.

Despite the PG-13 rating, attempts were made to sex up the film by giving the singer/actor a chance to show off his toned chest and abs. In fact, specific points in the plot are punctuated by such topless scenes.

Darrell (Usher) is a popular club DJ who dreams of starting his own label, but in the meantime settles for hooking up with one of his many adoring fans. Off comes the shirt.

Movie review

Showtimes

"In the Mix," with Usher, Emmanuelle Chriqui, Chazz Palminteri. Directed by Ron Underwood, from a screenplay by Jacqueline Zambrano, based on a story by Chanel Capra, Cara Dellaverson and Brian Rubenstein. 97 minutes. Rated PG-13 for sexual content, violence and language. Several theaters.

After attending a surprise party for his childhood friend, Mafia princess Dolly (Emmanuelle Chriqui), he saves her life by taking a bullet in his shoulder, leading him to wear an artfully placed bandage and nothing else up top.

Fearing for his daughter's safety, mob boss Frank (Chazz Palminteri) hires Darrell as Dolly's bodyguard. The two begin to realize their mutual attraction in a steamy swimming-pool scene in which Usher once again sheds his shirt.

Not only is the premise preposterous and poorly executed by veteran director Ron Underwood ("Tremors," "City Slickers"), but the rampant stereotypes and racist jokes aren't even edgy or imaginative enough to be really offensive or funny.

And while the story is supposed to be about love being color-blind, we're constantly bashed over the head with all the differences.

After four previous films, Usher competently plays a more mature version of his DJ character in "She's All That." But for better interracial romance, check out "Save the Last Dance" and leave this film out of the mix.