Rating: 
Summary: IT HAS ITS MOMENTS...
Review: This political comedy/satire was directed by, produced by, and co-written by Chris Rock. Quite frankly, while some of it was funny, it was funny-stupid, not funny-sharp or funny-edgy. Even fans of Chris Rock will be a little disappointed, as this supremely talented comedian has yet to find his mark in films. Despite some funny moments, the film fails to deliver fully on its promise. The premise of the film is simple. A low level, grass roots, Washington D.C. politician, Alderman Mays Gilliam (Chris Rock), gets an opportunity of a lifetime, when the two presidential aspirants of an unspecified political party each get killed in plane crashes. Chosen for his high potential to lose the election, thereby setting the stage for another politician to win in a future election, Mays Gilliam at first follows the directives scripted by his campaign handlers, Debra Lassiter (Lynn Whitfield) and Martin Geller (Dylan Baker). Dissatisfied, however, with his new image and with his campaign's lack of message, Mays Gilliam decides to let his hair down and be himself. Moreover, since no other politician wishes to associate him or her self with Mays Gilliam and run as his vice-president, Mays selects his bail bondsman brother, Mitch (Bernie Mac), to be his running mate. Despite a commanding lead for the presidency by incumbent vice-president Brian Lewis (Nick Searcy), Mays Gilliam starts giving him a run for his money, giving future political hopeful and mastermind, Senator Bill Arnot (James Rebhorn), a bad feeling. Of course, there is a love interest in the film. Lisa Clark is lovely as the cute-as-a-button Tamala Jones, the down to earth, hard working store clerk who loves Mays for himself. There is also a former girl-friend, the beautiful Kim (Robin Givens), who keeps coming after Mays in hopes of becoming first lady. She is sort of a funny, running gag through the film. Then there is the gorgeous Nikki (Stephanie March), who is part of a cadre of super whores on staff to keep the sexual peccadilloes of politicians in-house. Unfortunately, not even the considerable talents of the gifted supporting cast can turn dross into gold. While the film does have its funny moments, they are almost all of the funny-stupid variety, locking into the lowest common denominator. The funniest moments occur when Nick Searcy, Robin Givens, or Stephani March are on screen. The least funny moments are when Mays and Mitch punch each other in greeting, a running gag that is simply not funny. Bernie Mac has his funny moments in the film, but they are few and far between. This gifted comedian deserves better, as does Tracy Morgan, who has the thankless role of Meat Man, another running gag that fails to inspire many laughs. Chris Rock also gets his share of laughs but is ultimately done in by his own script. As comedy, this film has its moments. As political satire, it loses sight of the prize. Despite its stellar supporting cast, the film misses the mark. A lightweight script and heavy handed direction by Chris Rock himself do nothing to help this venture. The film provides some laughs but not as many as one would expect. Chris Rock is a most talented comedian, sharp and edgy. I only hope that he will find the right vehicle in which to showcase his considerable talents. This is not the one. Rent this moderately enjoyable comedy rather than buy it.
Rating:
Summary: Funny and enjoyable!
Review: I enjoyed this comedy. Was done to a good standard, and is filled with humor, which starts right from the beginning credits. The film doesn't have to stoop to low levels to get you to laugh, a quality in comedies that I always look for. The satire in the film is great, and the political humor is first rate! Chris rock does some good work in this movie. You'll enjoy this one.
Rating:
Summary: Chris Rock Vehicle Brings Laughs & Spotty Satire
Review: Chris Rock wrote and directed this film, in which he is the main star. Rock's character is a down-on-his luck alderman in D.C. who gets dragged off the street by political operatives to be a U.S. Presidential candidate after the party nominee dies in a plane crash. The idea is to have the Rock character's candidacy draw minority voters to the party to help the party's candidate win the subsequent election in 4 years. It is expected that the Rock character will be handily defeated by the stuffy, elitist, conservative candidate of the opposition party, the current vice president. However, Chris Rock hijacks his campaign from the political manipulators, brings his brother (Bernie Mac's role) onto his ticket, and speaks his mind like a typical Chris Rock stand-up routine at campaign stops, resonating with regular folks. There are some good satirical jokes in the film, and Rock plays his part smoothly. Some parts are pretty silly and demeaning, such as Rock's brother's standard greeting of giving people a Mike Tyson-style jab, and Rock saying that people need to knock their kids unconscious to teach them to behave well. Robin Givens plays a pretentious, gold-digging ex-girlfriend, who stalks Rock's character pretending to be a fiance after he gains notoriety as the candidate. That role is ideal and well acted by Givens. Overall, this was a clever movie, and Chris Rock fits the role of anti-establishment candidate much better than Warren Beatty as "Bulworth," which was also a political satire. This movie has lots of good laughs, and the DVD has some good bonus material about the film project and cast.
Rating:
Summary: ok. but could have been better.
Review: Chris Rock' plays Mays Gilliam a low rung on the political ladder who is "chosen" to run by party leaders as a wild card and not expected to win. The movie is about his campaign for the presidency which gives Chris Rock a podium forhis thoughts on politics.... well abit... he could have used this device for his comedy but I didnt think it was that funny.... I didnt expect to be taking notes on political theory going into the movie, just some laughs but this movie was par for the course for Rock if not abit below.... Concept was there just not the excecution... Bernie Mac was hilarious tho.... a good rental, not a purchase....
Rating: 
Summary: Chris Rock for President!
Review: This movie is hillarious! It's about Mays Gilliam, who is chosen to run for president after the original running mate is killed in a plane crash. This story follows Mays during his campaign period. If you like Chris Rock's humor, you will definitely love this movie! Chris Rock and Bernie Mac make an excellent team, on and off screen! Highly recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Hysterically Funny!!
Review: I really wasn't a Chris Rock fan until Lethal Weapon IV, but after seeing this movie ... it's continuous laughter, from the opening credits (high-profile political names are rolling across the screen as if they're in the movie, but they're not!) to the ending. Chris Rock plays a "wet behind the ears" alderman who is chosen to run for President. He has his own style (campaigning while dressed like a hip-hop rapper), but whatever works. I think that his pairing up with Bernie Mac was great. Looking forward to seeing them in more movies together. Keep in mind ... this IS entertainment! Would I add this movie to my collection? YUP!!
Rating:
Summary: Not a must see
Review: Head of State sounded like a hilarious movie at first, but it wasn't as funny as I thought it would be. Chris Rock and Bernie Mac usually are funny, but they let me down this time.
Rating:
Summary: Better than I thought
Review: This movie was way better than I had expected. And, in fact, what I thought was so brilliant about it seems to have been completely overlooked by several reviewers. I am not the kind of person who generally enjoys Chris Rock, Bernie Mac or most of the rest of this cast. But what this movie proves is that Rock can both write and direct. In fact, I think I prefer him in those roles. The entire film is lined with absurdity, such as the old white people suddenly doing the soul dance in the middle of the fund raiser...they join up SO quickly that it should be apparent that Rock is actually spoofing other similar gags in this genre of film.
Rating:
Summary: Soundtrack
Review: I think they should come out with the soundtrack ASAP.
Rating:
Summary: A Good Laugh
Review: My sentiment is the same as the amazon customer from Lansing. But Chris Rock didn't sale me on the movie. Bernie Mac did. So I would say if like Bernie Mac then you will like this movie. Also I liked the the deleted scenes from the DVD widescreen version. Robin Givens was a annnoying distraction. Also I like Lynn Whitfield.
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