20 Years of Be Cool: Looking Back at the Get Shorty Sequel

Be Cool is a fun sequel to an underrated classic.

Two decades ago today, Be Cool, the sequel to 1995’s Get Shorty, hit theaters, bringing back John Travolta’s effortlessly smooth Chili Palmer for another round of Hollywood satire—this time with a musical twist. While Get Shorty was an underrated gem, Be Cool leaned into a more comedic, self-aware tone, blending crime, show business, and music industry hijinks into one star-studded package.

Based on Elmore Leonard’s novel of the same name, Be Cool follows Chili Palmer, a former Miami loan shark turned movie producer, who now sets his sights on the music industry. After his friend, music executive Tommy Athens (James Woods), is gunned down by the Russian mob, Chili steps in to help Tommy’s widow, Edie (Uma Thurman), take over their struggling record label. Along the way, he takes a young and talented singer, Linda Moon (Christina Milian), under his wing while navigating a chaotic industry filled with eccentric characters, ruthless rivals, and dangerous hitmen.

The film boasts an impressive ensemble cast.

It includes Vince Vaughn as the hilariously over-the-top Raji, a wannabe hip-hop mogul; The Rock in a scene-stealing role as his flamboyant, aspiring-actor bodyguard Elliot Wilhelm; and Cedric the Entertainer as Sin LaSalle, a record producer with a crew of menacing yet comedic enforcers and Kimberly J. Brown as Tiffany. André 3000 of OutKast also delivers a standout performance as Dabu, an unpredictable henchman. Returning to the Get Shorty universe is Harvey Keitel as music exec Nick Carr. He plays another obstacle in Chili’s path to success.

One of the film’s biggest draws was its wealth of cameos.

It includes the musicians Aerosmith, the Black Eyed Peas, and Wyclef Jean. Actor Danny DeVito als reprises his role as producer Martin Weir. The musical performances, particularly Linda Moon’s on-stage moments and a memorable scene featuring Travolta and Thurman dancing together again after their Pulp Fiction days, added flair to the film’s comedic energy.

Dwayne The Rock JohnsonDespite its high-profile cast and built-in fanbase, Be Cool received mixed reviews from critics. Some praised its humor and performances, particularly The Rock’s comedic timing, while others felt it lacked the sharper wit of Get Shorty. Nevertheless, audiences showed up, and the film grossed approximately $95 million worldwide against a $53 million budget.

Shot primarily in and around Los Angeles, California, Be Cool also holds a bittersweet footnote in film history as it marked the final big-screen appearance of actor Robert Pastorelli, known for his role in Murphy Brown, before his untimely passing.

For me, Be Cool holds a special place as the first film I ever watched at an Alamo Drafthouse theater. This experience elevated my love for movies with its unique blend of dining and cinema.

While Be Cool may not have reached the cult status of its predecessor, it remains a fun, stylish sequel. It is filled with sharp performances, great music, and a satirical look at the entertainment industry. As we revisit the film 20 years later, one thing remains certain: no matter how chaotic things get, Chili Palmer always knows how to keep it cool.

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