Some of the humor on display in the movie is very funny, but much of it is offensive and demeaning.
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.
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
A fresh, intimate, gloriously unpolished performance film which measures up to the classics of the genre.
This is an interesting experience, not so much for the four gentlemen named above, who all are very fine comedians. No, it is more for the cultural significance of this venture.
If you really want to laugh, The Original Kings of Comedy is the picture to see.
The jokes fly so quickly and hard that you may find yourself laughing through many of the punch lines.
This is not cutting-edge comedy at all, but four strangely repetitive stand-up routines.
For about 3/4 of its length, The Original Kings of Comedy feels like the funniest movie of the year.
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.
If they're not yet kings, they're pretty strong contenders to the throne.
This is what the Kings do best, reflect the culture back to itself, exposing its faults and celebrating its occasional brilliance and compassion.
Lee seems well aware that the reason to catch the flick is to catch the comics.
The four share a wondrous camaraderie and Lee just lets the camera roll on them as they improvise on a basketball court and break each other up.
What comes out of these comedians' hearts hits the most powerful chord, and the audience wants more of it.
The comics really are good at what they do, provoking laughter from people of any race.
The Original Kings of Comedy, with its 10 cameras and backstage footage, may be the most innovatively directed stand-up concert film ever made.
What makes the film an almost nonstop ride of hilarity is the poetry in each comedian's profanity.
As there can only be one king, the crown goes to Bernie Mac, a goggle-eyed marvel of old-school Chicago weirdness.
Live comedy ... is a singularly difficult experience to capture on film, but Lee's done his level best here.
Mac fires his comic salvos with the authoritative ease of a champion boxer.
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