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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:28

Fresh:25

Rotten:3

Average Rating:7.1/10

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
Lisa Alspector
Chicago Reader
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

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
Scott Foundas
Variety
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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
Andrew O'Hehir
Salon.com
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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
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The jokes fly so quickly and hard that you may find yourself laughing through many of the punch lines.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Candice Y. Rigon
Candice Y. Rigon
Associated Press
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Boasts the highest laughs-per-minute ratio of any in this season's hilarity.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Carrie Rickey
Carrie Rickey
Philadelphia Inquirer
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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.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
01/01/00
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News
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If they're not yet kings, they're pretty strong contenders to the throne.

Full Review Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune | comment Comment
01/01/00
Colin Covert
Colin Covert
Minneapolis Star Tribune
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What comes out of these comedians' hearts hits the most powerful chord, and the audience wants more of it.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Elvis Mitchell
Elvis Mitchell
New York Times
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What makes the film an almost nonstop ride of hilarity is the poetry in each comedian's profanity.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Ernest Hardy
Ernest Hardy
Film.com
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As there can only be one king, the crown goes to Bernie Mac, a goggle-eyed marvel of old-school Chicago weirdness.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gary Dauphin
Gary Dauphin
Village Voice
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Live comedy ... is a singularly difficult experience to capture on film, but Lee's done his level best here.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Gemma Files
Gemma Files
Film.com
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Mac fires his comic salvos with the authoritative ease of a champion boxer.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
01/01/00
Gene Seymour
Gene Seymour
Newsday
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The key to such a movie's success is its ability to capture the 'you are there' feeling -- a task that The Original Kings of Comedy is largely effective at.

Full Review Source: ReelViews | comment Comment
01/01/00
James Berardinelli
James Berardinelli
ReelViews
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Time and again, we're transported by the outpouring of liberating humor from four men who know the territory.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Jay Carr
Jay Carr
Boston Globe
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While that vulgarity eventually gets wearing, parts of their acts are so funny your cheeks hurt.

Full Review Source: New York Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Jonathan Foreman
Jonathan Foreman
New York Post
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All these men ... have their mirthful moments.

Full Review Source: Mr. Showbiz | comment Comment
01/01/00
Kevin Maynard
Kevin Maynard
Mr. Showbiz
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Ranks right up there with Pryor's Live on Sunset Strip, Eddie Murphy's Raw and Martin Lawrence's You So Crazy.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
01/01/00
Kevin Thomas
Kevin Thomas
Los Angeles Times
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There's nothing stodgy about these court jesters or their humor, even though their act is a decidedly grown-up affair.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael O'Sullivan
Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post
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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.

comment Comment
01/01/00
Michael Wilmington
Michael Wilmington
Chicago Tribune
Top Critic Icon Top Critic
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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