What Men Want

In 2000, Nancy Meyers offered a peek into the minds of women with "What Women Want." The film gave a chauvinistic advertising executive, playfully embodied by a pre-scandal ridden Mel Gibson, the abilities to hear the inner thoughts of all the women around him. With great power, however, comes great responsibility and he eventually becomes a better version of himself. Nearly two decades later, audiences are being treated to a gender-reversed version that lets Taraji P. Henson know "What Men Want."

In the new version, Henson is Ali Davis (presumably named after the boxer, as her father runs his own boxing gym), a sports agent in Atlanta, who doesn't have time for her friends, always has to be in control, and winning is pretty much the only thing that matters. After losing a promotion because she doesn't connect well with men, she fatefully meets a psychic who gives her the ability to hear the thoughts of all the men around her. Despite initially not wanting the power, Ali decides that this is an opportunity for her to get ahead in her male-dominated office and finally get that promotion.

The premise, which worked enough in 2000, doesn't quite work as well for "Men." As much as the film should take an empowering stance for Ali to finally come into her own and not be kept down at work, the film goes to great lengths to let the audience know that she's a flawed lead. By trying to be part of the all-boys club at work, she overcompensates and alienates many of her co-workers, and she never prioritizes her friends, always blowing them off unless it's convenient for her.

As she makes her journey through the film, the epiphany isn't about just becoming a better version of herself, but instead is guided by the societal notion of women that she needs to be less aggressive and more nurturing. It's hard to imagine that had this been a more straightforward remake that they would have tried to soften a male character in the same ways. Even Mel Gibson was able to keep some of his old ways, as long as he became more respectful and less misogynistic.

That's not to say that there isn't fun to be had. Henson effortlessly slips out of her Cookie Lyon persona to make Ali both funny and even endearing at times, as she navigates her new powers. She's backed up by a supporting cast that includes Tracy Morgan, as a thinly veiled version of LaVar Ball, Max Greenfield, and a host of fun celebrity cameos. Singer Erykah Badu steals the film anytime she graces the screen as a psychic named Sister. It feels like Badu is giving a knowing wink to her own persona and playing it up for laughs, without becoming a joke herself.

Director Adam Shankman, who's known for helming musicals like "Hairspray" and "Rock of Ages," tackles his first R-rated film here, which also marks a return to romantic comedies after directing "The Wedding Planner" early in his career. Be sure that the R rating here is mostly for language, though the welcome sight of Kellan Lutz wearing a leather thong in a sex sling might have had a little something to do with it, too.

Running almost two hours, "Men" feels like it could use some trimming. Towards the beginning of the third act, you begin to feel the length of the film. A more conservative editing could have fixed the pacing, allowing the film to stick the landing without having multiple things happen off-screen to get there. Part of the issue is that the film explores every aspect of Ali's life, from work to her family, friends, and blooming relationship. Exploring these facets of Ali's life, at times, bogs down the momentum of the film's main story.

"What Men Want" is an update made for the time that it's being released, touching on hot button issues like the #MeToo movement and workplace equality, while still offering genuine laughs along the way. The general premise may not fully hold up, but, unlike a lot of recent remakes, "What Men Want" has something new to add to the conversation that its predecessor didn't – and Henson does it all in heels without breaking a sweat.