“Pootie Tang” is not an awful movie.

I stand behind that statement and put whatever credibility a person who likes “Sister Christian” has on the line.

It’s a silly movie, not denying that. But it’s the kind of silly you can enjoy with friends — psychotropic substances might help — in the tradition of “Zoolander,” “Hot Rod” and “Talladega Nights.”

But for some reason, you all hate this movie. I’m not saying that just to be cheeky. America hates it. Poor “Pootie” has 4.3 of 10 stars on imdb.com. It’s worse on rottentomatoes.com. And please, don’t track down its box-office numbers.

It really, really isn’t that bad.

You know what is? These masterpieces released in 2007: “The Comebacks,” “Daddy Day Camp,” “Delta Farce,” “Epic Movie,” “Evan Almighty,” “Farce of the Penguins,” “Good Luck Chuck,” “I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry,” “Mr. Woodcock,” “Norbit,” “Who’s Your Caddy?” and “Wild Hogs.”

Those are “Deuce Bigelow: European Gigolo” bad. That’s the measuring stick of everything awful.*

“Pootie” is nowhere near that level. Not even close.

But those movies get the box office. Those movies get the Hollywood-Mountain Dew marketing machine. Those movies get Dane Cook and his growing legion of MySpace fans.

It’s simple and kinda genius: Hollywood makes crappy, formulaic movies because America loves them.

Take a star with a strong comedic background, a tame script filled with acceptable jokes, a familiar story line (hello sequels, hello prequels) and mix in a litany of actors looking for a paycheck. Voila.

Let’s call it the boy-band theory: No one truly likes the music, but everyone goes crazy about it or at least accepts boy bands as part of the zeitgeist. Esoterically, their music is the manifestation of style over substance. That’d be the Jonas Brothers.

Standard formulas don’t apply to “Pootie.” Neither does the boy-band theory.

It’s funny, yes, but unconventionally so. You’ll need to turn off your mind — but not too far or you’ll miss some subtle social commentary boiled down to its lowest level. It’s got gibberish, gorilla attacks, a tuft of chest hair and fight scenes featuring garish belts. It also has creative editing, subtle jokes and smart one-liners.

Lance Crouther stars as “Pootie Tang,” a sex-symbol-role-model-ghetto-folk-superhero who speaks his own language. He’s all about the kids and keeping them away from society’s ills: cheeseburgers, cigarettes, whiskey and cereal with chunks of pork.

The Man (or, in this movie, “Dick Lecter,” played by Robert Vaughn) is irked because his corporation, ironically, makes cheeseburgers, cigarettes, whiskey and cereal with chunks of pork.

It’s up to Pootie and his crew (comedians Chris Rock, J.B. Smoove and Mario Joyner), with the help of Biggie Shortie (a brilliant Wanda Sykes), to bring down Lecter Corp.**

That sounds good, right? Funny, positive plot, recognizable faces. Better than “Deuce Bigelow.”

Well, apparently not. Apparently, you hate it.

And I am not OK with that.

I prefer comedies that aren’t test-audience approved. Comedies that are unconventional and provoke a little thought. Comedies that, um, make me laugh.

Judging by the success of this movie and the others like it, I’m probably going to end up frustrated. Like when I try to sell Americans on futbol.

So, I’ll resign myself to a stream of “Knocked Up” knockoffs —a movie that was kinda funny, but not really. “Big Momma’s House” and “Norbit.” Movies with Dane Cook, Sinbad and Larry the Cable Guy.

Gee, thanks.

What you’re reading

Welcome to Artificial Tangent, your guide to movies that don’t fit into the mainstream. Forgotten classics. Dark comedies. Silly comedies. Movies that got run over by so-called “Hollywood blockbusters.”

It’s that guy!

Robert Vaughn

He was Gen. Stockwell in “The A-Team,” won an Emmy for supporting actor in “Washington: Behind Closed Doors,” was nominated for an Academy Award for “The Young Philadelphians” and starred in “The Man from U.N.C.L.E.”

Did you know…

“Pootie Tang” started as a skit from “The Chris Rock Show.” Which makes it the first skit-turned-movie that Gooch actually likes. He still wants his $8 back for “Superstar.”

Never saw it but from the description, it sounds kinda like Undercover Brother, which is an endlessly entertaining movie, while being pretty stupid too.

Posted 271 days ago by jacklantern

Gooch...you just became my favorite person. When this movie came out a long time ago I found out that is was written mostly and directed by Louis C.K. one of my favorite comedians. Whne I went to the theater I laughed so hard at Pootie and the non-sense that occured I almost fell from my chair. Now since I have it on DVD everytime my friends come over and we want to watch a movie...that is what we put in. One of the most underrated comedies I must say. The best part is potties license plate on his car that reads.."CLEEPA." Love it. Thank you for shedding some much needed light on this comedic delight!!!!

Posted 270 days ago by bobby_topaz

you're a baddy daddy lamatai tebby chai, gooch!

Posted 266 days ago by smiley!

wow Gooch! i've always said the first 45 minutes of "Pootie Tang" was sheer comedic genius. It's a great movie... for the first 45 minutes. Trust me, at the 46th minute things start getting weird and unfunny, like the writers went on strike and Chris Rock was left alone with the script. But those first 45, you can't beat 'em

Posted 265 days ago by Candace Buckner