They did have some jokes.
The Original Kings of Comedy (2000)
Tomatometer
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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.
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
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Reviews for The Original Kings of Comedy
It is, for the most part, funny, sometimes raunchy, and always from the heart.
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.
The jokes fly so quickly and hard that you may find yourself laughing through many of the punch lines.
Under Spike Lee's direction it's one of the liveliest concert films in years.
The most articulate and entertaining commentary on racial differences to have come down the pike in quite a while.
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.
Kings of comedy? Maybe not. But these guys are certainly funny enough to merit the title of clown princes.
Time and again, we're transported by the outpouring of liberating humor from four men who know the territory.
There are the predecessor films, like those of the brilliant Richard Pryor, the talented Eddie Murphy and the ebullient Martin Lawrence. By that measure, The Original Kings of Comedy ... is a pretty good movie.
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.
This often hilarious quartet use the foul-ups, aggravations and muddles of everyday life to produce more laughs than most movies you'll see this year.
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.
These kings ... eventually walk off the stage without the viewer knowing any more about them than when the film began.
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.
They form a hilarious and even poignant conscience for a brand of black humor much deeper and wiser than what we've seen on screen this year.
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