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Movies / On DVD / The Original Kings of Comedy
The Original Kings of Comedy

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The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)

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Reviews Counted: 86

Fresh: 74

Rotten:12

Average Rating: 6.9/10

Consensus: If you want lots of laughs and don't mind some profanity, The Original Kings of Comedy can deliver.

Rated: R [See Full Rating] language and sex related humor

Runtime: 1 hr 55 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Aug 18, 2000 Wide

Box Office: $11,053,832

Synopsis: When four of the world's funniest black stand-up comics came together to celebrate their crownings as the "Kings of Comedy," acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee decided to film two of their most... When four of the world's funniest black stand-up comics came together to celebrate their crownings as the "Kings of Comedy," acclaimed filmmaker Spike Lee decided to film two of their most memorable shows. The result is THE ORIGINAL KINGS OF COMEDY, a raucous concert film that takes its cue from classic performers such as Richard Pryor and Eddie Murphy. The host of the evening, Steve Harvey, spends most of his time criticizing modern music--namely hip-hop--for forgetting to include love in its songs, missing the days when black music was passionate and romantic. D.L. Hughley focuses on universal topics such as work, as well as taking his time to criticize certain unfortunate audience members. Cedric "The Entertainer" makes a series of clever points about the differences between white and black people in addition to using his large frame to dance and run around the stage to hilarious effect. Capping off the film is Bernie Mac, a frustrated 42-year-old who is sick of sex and believes that people should tell it like it is, no matter whom they might offend. As funny as each individual is, they also take the time to make poignant observations about race, relationships, and popular culture, giving the film a sincerity that is truly refreshing. [More]

Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey

Starring: Cedric the Entertainer, D.L. Hughley, Bernie Mac, Steve Harvey

Director: Spike Lee

Director: Spike Lee
Producer: Walter Latham, David Gale, Spike Lee
Studio: Paramount Pictures

[See More Credits]

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Release:

Jun 5, 2001

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Reviews for The Original Kings of Comedy

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1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Footage shot from over their shoulders reveals a sea of faces out of which individuals quickly emerge, as the comedians -- especially emcee Harvey -- enthrall and provoke audience members.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment Comment
09/23/08
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Some segments are marred by poor sound quality. Others produce monster laughs.

Full Review Source: Sacramento News & Review | comment Comment
08/07/08
Mark Halverson
Sacramento News & Review

A consistently hilarious assemblage of highlights from the hit concert tour of the same name.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/06/08
Scott Foundas
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Easily the funniest movie of the summer.

Full Review Source: One Guy's Opinion | comment Comment
07/24/06
Frank Swietek
One Guy's Opinion

The film offers more than just yuks, however. As in Lee's best work, the film intelligently discusses race and race relations, though this time through the guise of humor.

Full Review Source: Combustible Celluloid | comment Comment
05/26/06
Jeffrey M. Anderson
Combustible Celluloid

This is comedy with a sense of showmanship, and Lee cuts shrewdly to the rhythm of the jokes.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
01/26/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is Bernie Mac who is the true King of Comedy here, following in the footsteps of Pryor and Murphy before him as he crosses from church-raised testifying, to furious black cultural theorizing, to barely controlled comedic genius.

Full Review Source: Film Threat | comment Comment
12/06/05
Susannah Breslin
Film Threat

I laughed myself into a headache. I laughed so hard I was hoping they'd get bad for awhile so I could relax a minute, wipe the tears out of my eyes.

Full Review Source: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette | comment Comment
01/29/05
Philip Martin
Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

Apesar de praticamente se limitar a registrar o show dos quatro comediantes, sem jamais se preocupar com o lado humano destes, o filme se destaca graças ao humor cáustico e sem barreiras de seus protagonistas.

comment Comment
07/03/03
Pablo Villaca
Cinema em Cena

Are they funny? Most of the time. But the humor, passing itself off as insightful social commentary, rarely rises above simple stereotypes.

Full Review Source: Film Blather | comment Comment
05/22/03
Eugene Novikov
Film Blather

Watching Spike Lee's concert movie is the next best thing to having been in the house when the Kings of Comedy caused a laugh riot in Charlotte, N. C. last February.

Full Review Source: Palo Alto Weekly | comment Comment
05/20/03
Susan Tavernetti
Palo Alto Weekly

It is during these intimate scenes where Lee's style is more clearly evident, using settings such as a basketball court or a poker game, along with inventive camera angles and editing to give a spontanaeous feel.

Full Review Source: Film Quips Online | comment Comment
02/08/03
John R. McEwen
Film Quips Online

Frequently hilarious comedy concert film, directed by Spike Lee.

Full Review Source: ViewLondon | comment Comment
10/30/02
Matthew Turner
ViewLondon

Bernie Mac is the best way to close out the show. He lunges straight into the audience's face, politically incorrect and proud of it.

Full Review Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer | comment Comment
06/19/02
Candice Y. Rigon
Seattle Post-Intelligencer
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

like most stand-up shows, has plenty of peaks and valleys... could easily have been trimmed by at least half an hour without any major losses.

Full Review Source: Kalamazoo Gazette | comment Comment
06/15/02
James Sanford
Kalamazoo Gazette

Seeing the film in a crowded theater is a lot more fun than watching it on TV would be, and the crappy, grainy look does create a sort of you-are-there immediacy.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
08/09/01
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

It is a simple, straight forward record of four hugely talented African-American comedians, Steve Harvey, DL Hughley, Cedric The Entertainer and Bernie Mac, as they bring the house down in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Full Review Source: BBC | comment Comment
04/17/01
Michael Thomson
BBC

It is, for the most part, funny, sometimes raunchy, and always from the heart.

Full Review Source: Apollo Guide | comment Comment
03/21/01
Ryan Cracknell
Apollo Guide

Light on the raunch, this isn't Eddie Murphy's Raw. It's better.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
01/01/00
E! Online
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Some of the humor on display in the movie is very funny, but much of it is offensive and demeaning.

Full Review Source: Houston Chronicle | comment Comment
01/01/00
Houston Chronicle
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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Latest News for The Original Kings of Comedy

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