Chris Rock is a pretty funny guy. And "Heaven Can Wait" is a pretty funny little movie. So can someone explain why, in combining the two, Down to Earth isn't nearly as funny as either one.
Down to Earth (2001)
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work ![]()
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
Get This Movie
Reviews for Down to Earth
Rock can't really be expected to pull off the love scenes, but for a man trying to reach the largest possible audience, his comedy is surprisingly uninspired.
A pretty sloppy comedy with a very light sprinkling of laughs or even chuckles.
Neither remotely romantic nor funny, but as a movie about a dead man, it is decidedly lacking life.
Down to Earth suggests that politics and comedy are two methods of initiating social change and that, in context, both are equally effective.
The script's line of racial-humor gags is relatively inoffensive, the supporting cast is mostly quite good, and the film gradually develops its own dreamy charm.
Often uproariously funny, blessedly short and never forgets it's a screwball romance for teen and adult moviegoers.
Except for Chris Rock's standup performances, the whole thing looks really tired.
Down to Earth is for Chris Rock fans only. All others should go rent Heaven Can Wait or truly be brought down to earth.
And so, here comes Mr. Rock, invading the white folks' world with something approximating a vengeance.
The most shocking thing about Down to Earth is how limp and mild it really is.
I would say that this movie is not a mess per se, but definitely not the vehicle which we were all expecting to take Chris Rock to the next step in the stratosphere of the business we call show.
Latest News for Down to Earth
March 19, 2007:
Box Office Guru Wrapup: "300" Reigns Again as Box Office King
Three new competitors were no match this weekend for the mighty action epic "300," which easily defended its box office crown to rule North American theaters for a... More...
March 15, 2007:
Box Office Guru Preview: "Premonition" Leads New Pics into Battle Against "300"
Though a highly-paid and well-liked star, Sandra Bullock has never been a big pull on opening weekend for her films. Now the actress hopes to reach a career high with her new... More...
April 20, 2006:
Critical Consensus: A Weak "Sentinel," So-So "Dreamz" Are Made Of This, "Silent Hill" Not Screened
This week at the movies we've got a Secret Service agent on a mission ("The Sentinel"), an "American Idol"- skewering political satire ("American... More...
February 24, 2006:
Chris Weitz Getting Into the "Game"
Comedy director Chris Weitz has signed on to helm "The Game: Penetrating the Secret Society of Pickup Artists" for Columbia Pictures, a project based on a popular New... More...
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 44% 44% | Night at the Museum: B… |
| 32% 32% | Terminator Salvation |
| 36% 36% | Angels & Demons |
| 95% 95% | Star Trek |
| 25% 25% | Four Christmases |
| Tomatometer Percentage | Movie |
|---|---|
| 88% 88% | Inglourious Basterds |
| 78% 78% | The Hangover |
| 49% 49% | Taking Woodstock |
| 26% 26% | The Goods: Live Hard, Sell Hard |
| 47% 47% | The Girl From Monaco |
RT On Current TV
DIRECTV 358 | Comcast 107 | DISH Network 196 | More...
What’s Hot On RT
Other News
CloseSponsored Links
Around The Network
- Down to Earth at Rotten Tomatoes
- Down to Earth at IGN
- Down to Earth at AskMen
Fresh Links
Featured

Techland lists the best Sci-Fi films of this decade.

Moviefone takes a look back at the biggest stinkers of the past 10 years.

The Me and Orson Welles star answers reader questions on TIME.com.

Hollywood.com's C. Robert Cargill offers his thoughts on what the best decade for film was.

In the AV Club's "Scenic Routes," Mike D'Angelo reminisces about the Tim Burton film.
Promos

Get the latest Tomatometer updates on upcoming movies!



Top Critic


