Goes out of its way to avoid being funny -- backs actors into corners, restricting them from using their natural talent.
Down to Earth (2001)
Tomatometer
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Reviews Counted:94
Fresh:18
Rotten:76
Average Rating:3.9/10
Consensus: A toned down Chris Rock fails to bring a limp script to life as the movie moves from one gag to the next.
Rated: PG-13 [See Full Rating] for language, sexual humor and some drug references
Runtime: 87 mins
Genre: Comedies
Theatrical Release:Feb 16, 2001 Wide
Box Office: $63,095,559
Synopsis: Comedian Chris Rock updates 1978's HEAVEN CAN WAIT with a decidedly modern flair in this romantic comedy. Lance Barton (Rock) is a struggling comedian whose dream is to perform at New York City's... Comedian Chris Rock updates 1978's HEAVEN CAN WAIT with a decidedly modern flair in this romantic comedy. Lance Barton (Rock) is a struggling comedian whose dream is to perform at New York City's legendary Apollo Theater before it closes its doors forever. One night, while riding his bike, Lance is crushed by an enormous truck. Before he can come to terms with what has happened, he is strolling through Heaven, talking to the smooth Mr. King (Chazz Palminteri) and the bumbling Keyes (Eugene Levy), the angel who prematurely snatched Lance away from Earth. Mr. King agrees to make up for this mistake by returning Lance to New York, only instead of being a black bike messenger, Lance is now Mr. Wellington, a powerful white businessman who just so happens to be the enemy of Sontee (Regina King), the woman he has become infatuated with. Wooing Sontee with a new commitment to using Mr. Wellington's money philanthropically, Lance embarks on a mission to perform at the Apollo, even if he doesn't seem to fit the mold. But just when everything begins to fall into place, Mr. King returns to throw another glitch into Lance's plans. Coasting along on the charm of Rock and King, DOWN TO EARTH is a charming story about the power of fate, set to a bouncing hip-hop soundtrack. [More]
Starring: Chris Rock, Regina King, Mark Addy, Eugene Levy
Starring: Chris Rock, Regina King, Mark Addy, Eugene Levy, Frankie R. Faison, Greg Germann, Jennifer Coolidge, Chazz Palminteri
Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Screenwriter: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz, Lance Crouther, Ali Leroi, Louis C. K.
Producer: Sean Daniel, Michael Rotenberg, James Jacks, Barry Berg
Studio: Paramount Pictures
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Reviews for Down to Earth
Rock, simply put, is not a skilled actor. He overacts constantly and seems uncomfortable on his feet.
The makers of Down to Earth were faced with a dilemma nobody would have anticipated: Boosting their star's screen time kills the comedy.
Rarely has a pair of leather pants been so sorely abused in the service of low comedy.
Down To Earth is funny for one reason, and one reason only: Chris Rock.
When Rock finds his authentic swing as an actor as well as a comedian, he'll be, like, a movie god.
Almost every minute of Down to Earth is entertaining. But not quite surprising.
The material is so far removed from what it originally was ... that the stretch has made it shapeless.
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