Be Cool

Paging Dr. Tarantino STAT! This turgid sequel to "Get Shorty" proves that Travolta is in need of another new-career-ectomy. Jettisoning anything even mildly cool about the witty original, director Gray instead focuses on bombast and pointless cameos in the continuing adventures of Hollywood shylock Chili Palmer (Travolta). This time, Chili tries to break into the music business with the help of a widowed record producer (Thurman) and a young ingenue (Milian). Standing in their way are Russian mobsters, gangsta rap kingpins, and Vince Vaughn doing the tired white-guy-who-thinks-he's-black routine. Even The Rock as a flamboyantly gay bodyguard can't inject any life into such a flat, unfunny mess.