"KILL THE MESSENGER"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: ***1/2 (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: * (out of 5 stars) STARRING Chris Rock as HIMSELF Not Rated Studio: HBO Directed by: Marty Callner Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
Stand-up sensation Chris Rock brings his racially-charged, politically incorrect and undeniably hilarious brand of comedy to Johannesburg, London and New York in this HBO Comedy Special. Footage from his tour that took him from New York via England to South Africa is spliced together for an 80 minute comedy event.
WHAT I LIKED
I will be the first to admit that Chris Rock is a funny, funny man. He came a long way from his days on “Saturday Night Live” and has developed a style that makes him this generation’s Richard Pryor. It’s not that Rock is better than the gaggle of urban comedians out there, but he’s probably one of the more accessible ones to the mainstream.
His material in this tour can be fall-on-the-floor hilarious at times, when he’s contemplating politics, what sexual acts make a good marriage and when a white person can use the “n-word.” He also dishes a slate of jokes about the then-impending presidential election. Of course, with this DVD dropping on inauguration day, things seem a little odd as he discusses Barack Obama’s chances of winning.
Just as Rock threatens to really offend you, he’ll switch gears and head into some very hilarious territory. Overall, he does make some astute – if not politically incorrect – observations, like why black men chase any white woman but black women don’t chase just any white man.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Rock is clearly a better comedian than movie writer/director, which is evidenced by his hilarious stand-up but box office fizzles like “Down to Earth,” “Head of State” and “I Think I Love My Wife.” Still, that doesn’t mean his comedy is bulletproof. Sometimes his jokes fall as flat as his films. Fortunately, he’s usually ready to dust himself off after a downer of a punch line.
Additionally, even though the editing between the cities are mostly seamless, things get repetitive at times when he reminds the audience where he is. And, although it may be funny in person, the repetition of punch lines two, three or four times doesn’t necessarily make the joke any better.
DVD FEATURES
Sadly, there’s no DVD extras on this disc. You’re buying this one for the comedy alone, folks.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Chris Rock fans and anyone who wants to laugh and won’t be easily offended.
