Rating: Summary: That's why you shouldn't drink your own urine. Review: I cannot stress the fact that this film has been overplayed and recycled through Hollywood more times that I can count. While I have read some reviews that claim that this is one of Lawrence's more creative roles yet, I can only laugh and gag simultaneously at these words. Lawrence was a major contributor to the downfall of this film. He provided no character analysis, no development, and definitely no humor to the entire story. It was as if we were watching a dress rehearsal in progress before the final script arrived with all of Lawrence's funny bits. From the quick introduction at the beginning of the film (a mere 7 minutes of character introduction), until the incoherent ending that was trying to monopolize on the popularity of Gladiator, we never see Lawrence's character of "Jamal" or "Skywalker" (depending on the care of the actors) emerge from the film. This was merely Martin Lawrence cashing in on his already overplayed self, stretching no further than his comfortable limits and never exerting anything "fresh". He has fallen into the cracks of the Hollywood recycling bin and Black Knight reinforces that idea.
Sadly, Lawrence isn't backed up with any better acting or story. Tom Wilkinson has done some amazing films during his career, but apparently was looking to buy a new car with this film. It required no "real" acting from him, just sloppy drunkenness with cliched moments near the end that could have been pulled from any other film like this one. I think that was my major problem with this film (beside the lackluster Lawrence) was the story. There wasn't any. It felt like we were forced from the beginning to all of our different places and events just to fill time. There wasn't any redeeming value from the story. In fact, I would go so far as to say that whomever wrote this screenplay may have...gasp...plagiarized from nearly every other film like this one out there. The structure was nothing new, the formula literally had dust on it, and nobody seemed to care. Lawrence obviously didn't from the performance that he gave, but I expected more from Mr. Wilkinson who has impressed me in the past. This was not the best showcase for his talent, or for anyone's talent to say the least. We must always remember that it begins with a story, and if it doesn't sound good on paper than it isn't going to translate well onto the screen. This is a rule to live by for everyone involved with the Black Knight debacle.
Finally, I normally don't mention this in my reviews, but with this film it just stood out more than any other that I have seen, but the production of this film was horrible. The costumes, the sets, and even the way the shots were framed seemed "cheap" in so many ways. The costumes are the first that come to mind because Lawrence always seemed like he was wearing something that was made with haste. How could he have quickly made this garment in the time that he was in this land? Who knows, but it was "cheap" and only lowered this film further into the muck pit. If the story is going to be bad, and the actors are not going to give their full potential by actually doing what they are paid ... to be creative ... than at least give us something to look at Production Team! Unfortunately, there was nothing ravishing to even glance at. The entire Medieval World that Lawrence works at from the beginning is "cheap" and obviously a set. I want a film to take me away from Hollywood and give me my dollar's worth, not rob me blind. The cinematography was done by a two-year old. Nothing spectacular, nothing worth writing about.
Overall, this was a very poor film. Would it have hurt anyone working on this project to use a little something I like to call "imagination"? Creativity was not being used or welcomed in this film. You could tell that the director wanted to make the film, edit out what didn't work, finish, and relax at home while thinking of all the different ways that he could spend his Hollywood money! I blame two major players in this film for the overall poor quality. The first is Mr. Lawrence. If he does not expand his acting potential and bring something new to the screen, I don't think his Hollywood stay will be very long. The second player that I blame for this befuddling mess is the writer. Again, creativity and imagination went backseat to the infamous Hollywood recycling bin. This was a truly disappointing picture.
Grade: * out of *****
Rating: Summary: Horrible script, Martin is wasted Review: Very unfunny, script is full of racial cliches. Martin obviously did this for the check since his stock went up after Big Momma's House.
Rating: Summary: this should have had a white guy in it. Review: the story goes that a amusement park worker falls into a magical water that sends him to this other place in mid evil times.he pretends to be a french guy so he can stay at the castle.he runs into trouble soon enough!martin lawrence who was like the one black guy who didnt talk crap on whites all the time sold out and is now with chris rock and chapelle as hate mongers.the kids can watch it.its not too bad.there is a sex scene but thats it.its not as good as a lot of midevil movies but they arent usualy comedies either.theres a few nasty poop jokes/scenes.thats sick and uncalled for.theres this one hot white chick and a not so hot black chick who is martins ol lady by movies end.there was this joke the racist martin told i thought was pretty funny during his rallying speech to the troops.there was once a great man named rodney king who said"ow ow ooh ugh!"lol ha ha ha!this is his second best movie behind blue streak.
Rating: Summary: Black Knight Review: First, I'll warn you that my review may not be completely substantial for three reasons. 1) Comedies are not my "thing." 2) I'm extremely tired of the plot in which a character is transported back into medieval times. 3) I didn't even finish the movie.
So if you choose to continue reading my review, these are my thoughts:
-The only time I laughed was at the immediate beginning. The rest of the movie was just stupid, long and boring.
-The acting was pretty lame.
-I found it sort of odd (and don't get me wrong, I'm not racial.) that an african, colored or beautiful black woman was found in medieval times as one of the king's maidens. I'm sorry, I just couldn't help finding it a little weird. Especially after seeing her in the Haunted Mansion. :D
-Martin Lawrence's character is ready to pull off his pants the first time he sees the enchanting maiden. :-o
I'm sorry to give this movie only one star, but I truly felt it not worth more. I did not want to waste my time watching the rest of it...I've only done that with one or two other movies I've ever rented. I would NOT recommend to watch this with young kids. It wouldn't be humorous for them and it's grotesque, sexual scenes are definitely not worth submitting your kids to. I'm sixteen years old and found it so completely worthless as a comedy.
Rating: Summary: More brilliance from a trend-setting master Review: Many times I have asked myself, "What would the result be if the studios were to combine the hallowed tradition of time travel films with the timeless format of minstrel shows?" My imaginary answer was always: pure genius. And now, my answer is no longer imaginary. No, in fact, it is more real than anything, and it's in the form of Martin "Martin" Lawrence's stylish "Black Knight," a movie that dares to ask all the questions, and go where no one else will go. Initially, the film leaves the viewer in stitches, but repeated viewers unearth a quiet but pronounced subtlety. The point is, we needed a film like this, and it's finally here.
Rating: Summary: Not one of Martin's Best Review: Not one of Martin's Best. It is deserving of 3 stars.
Rating: Summary: Unwatchable waste of celluloid Review: What a mess this film is! I honestly cannot think of one positive thing to say about "Black Knight". Martin Lawrence, who can be amusing at times in other films (...), comes off here as obnoxious, crass, and desperate for laughs. The screenplay appears to have been written for the sole purpose of allowing Lawrence the maximum amount of time to act like an idiot. The premise of the story had potential. Young, stupid man from 21st century is transported back to medieval times and must deal with culture shock and different way of life before finding a way to get back home. A familiar premise, yes, but there could have been some funny moments, at least enough to make "Black Knight" watchable. However, with Lawrence at the helm, this film takes a nosedive into rude, crude, uninspired humor. As usual, Lawrence focuses on racial humor and tired sexual jokes to garner laughs (he got none from me), making "Black Knight" an unwatchable waste of celluloid.
Rating: Summary: Better script would have helped. Review: The main idea of this Martin Lawrence vehicle had some potential. A black, young adult, under achiever with potential gets sent back to medieval times to learn a valuable lesson. Some of the bits are funny and Lawrence shows he has some talent, but there was nothing solid enough here that to make us feel that we wanted to watch it again, unless it came on TV with the language edited. It could have even been done to be more family friendly, but it wasn't. This movie is at best AVERAGE or 2.5 stars. I'll round down to 2 stars for some language.
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