Page 85 - Will Smith: A Biography of a Rapper Turned Movie Star

Golf and Back to Men in Black
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Smith continued to try new things. He did the voice for
one of the characters in the animated movie Shark Tale,
released in 2004, and took on his first starring role in a
romantic comedy, Hitch, which opened in time for Valentine’s
Day, 2005. Smith’s character in Hitch is Alex Hitchins. His
job is to give dating advice, but he makes one blunder after
another in his own attempt to win the heart of a gossip
columnist, played by actress Eva Mendes.
Smith passed the test in the genre of romantic comedy.
Audiences flocked to the theaters, making the movie number
one for the first couple of weeks after it was released. Most critics
liked it, too. Reviewer Carina Chocano, in the Los Angeles Times,
wrote, “Smith is a gifted comic actor, and seeing him in a
lighthearted comedy, his first romantic lead, is a pure pleasure.”8
Smith released another solo album, Lost and Found, in
March 2005. He explores difficult subjects such as religious
fanaticism and having to explain the terrorist attacks of
September 11, 2001, to his son. Still, Smith maintains his
signature pop-rap style through most of the album. The
opening song, “Here He Comes,” plays with the original
Spider-Man theme. Another song, “Nice Guy,” counters rap
star Eminem’s criticism of Smith’s music.
Lost and Found has seen more success than his previous
effort, Born to Reign . Smith admits that his acting career has
affected his development as a musician. However, he says
that his music career is finally taking a turn: “I’ve had more
life experience. . . . I think lyrically I’m much more prepared
than I’ve ever been before.”9