Down to Earth (2001)

How is this so highly rated? I love Chris Rock and that's why I went to see it but I was so disappointed, if it hadn't had been raining I would have walked out.Chris Rock doesn't seem to understand what the film is about. He is supposed to be playing a unfunny Black comedian reincarnated back into a white businessman who has just been bumped off by his wife and assistant. Even in a comedy you have to bring some sense of reality to make the humor work. His character doesn't change; he continues to act like a black guy, and not just any one but himself, Lance. Of course that's what you'd do…your given a second chance, for no good reason other than heaven making an administrative error, and you use that most precious gift to continue acting in the same dumb way you did before. Why does heaven give him a second chance other than the weak plot demands it? Lance doesn't do anything special to deserve it in his previous life; he just seems to take it for granted he is entitled to it. He never listens to anyone else or any advice, he just talks over everyone in his own self centered pursuit of a woman he glimpsed ten minutes ago.The point of view was all wrong, if it was supposed to be funny seeing a middle-aged white guy talking like a bad black comedian then that's what we should have seen on screen, not Rock except in very brief flashes. The reincarnated Lance shows no sense of having gone through the biggest change anyone can make other than changing sex. There is no awareness of his situation at all. We are supposed to despise the ruthless business man but Rock is an equally irritating replacement character with a different but just as selfish moronic single mindedness in getting the girl. The idea of a young attractive black girl being genuinely in love with a paunchy, balding and pretty ancient old man and kissing him passionately on screen would have just been stomach turning and I am at least glad Rock wouldn't let the cameras stray off him for that.Rock just didn't do anything to make it work. He created an unsympathetic selfish character who acted oblivious to his own situation and the reactions of everyone around him. But worse, he just wasn't funny, which let's face it most of us had gone to see.

Before watching this hard to digest celluloid, I should say that I was--and am--no Chris Rock fan. Now, after having sat through this torture of a film, I am also no longer a Wanda Sykes fan. This film could have been much better had it been more developed. The viewers are asked to believe the impossible...Chris Rock as a white man, then as a recently deceased comedian who dies in a car crash...not to mention his own death somewhat prematurely, after being scrunched beneath the wheels of a truck as he rode his bike on his messenger service day gig. It seems it would have been sufficient to focus the film around the ups and downs of just being a stand-up comic...the heartbreak of just being in show-biz is still an engrossing subject and will keep you interested. There are too many twists and turns in the film...the humor is forced, the plot and situations are contrived. Though it was based on previous films, such as "Heaven Can Wait" and "Here Comes Mr Jordan", nothing is done to improve upon the inventiveness of those films, and it ends up being a waste of time. All I can say is that at least Chris Rock didn't resort to filthy language, and though I do not care for Chris Rock, I really wanted to like this film, and it did get off to an interesting start. But that auspicious start was not maintained, sadly. It could have been a much better film, had it been handled and delivered differently.

This is the third version of Harry Segall's play Heaven Can Wait. It was first made into the movie Here Comes Mr. Jordan in 1941. Warren Beatty and Ealine may reworked it into Heaven Can Wait in 1978. Now, Chris Rock and company take their script and make this film as a starring vehicle for him.It really doesn't matter whether it is Robert Montgomery or Warren Beatty or Chris Rock in the title role. The story is solid and it is interesting no matter which version tickles your funny bone.Both Montgomery and Beatty were nominated for Oscars for their work in their respective films. Beatty was also nominated for Best Director and the film itself was nominated for Best Picture. Mr Jordan earned an Oscar for Harry Seagall's story and for the screenplay by Sidney Buchman and Seton I. Miller. It also received Best Picture and best Director nominations. The story has a long history. Unfortunately, the only award for this version is an Image nomination for Regina King (Miss Congeniality 2: Armed & Fabulous, Ray) as the women Rock was in love with.Beside Chris Rock, who I think is the funniest comedian out there, and King, we also see Chazz Paminteri (A Guide to Recognizing Your Saints, The Usual Suspects) as "St. Peter": Eugene Levy (A Mighty Wind, Best in Show) as the bumbling assistant; Jennifer Coolidge (A Mighty Wind, For Your Consideration) as the adulterous, murdering wife; Mark Addy (The Full Monty) as the butler; and many more.It was directed by Chris and Paul Weitz (About a Boy).I don't know why this version didn't click like the other two. Maybe they should have waited a few more years so we would not compare it to the 1978 version. It was worth watching for the story, which never gets old, and the characters. Check it out.

With a combination of charm, wit, humor and romance; "Down To Earth" has ascended to be one of the funniest films I've seen in 2001. This marks the second Chris Rock movie I have seen and I must say I was impressed with his comedic and acting ability because he kept me laughing throughout the film. It is a true pleasure to take a break from the violent action films and watch a light-hearted comedy meant to entertain."Down To Earth" is a very exciting film to watch because Chris Rock's comedy is funny and unpredictable. One the coolest parts of this film was Rock's performance because he knew when to turn off the comedy in the more serious scenes. Furthermore, Rock seemed to fit the part perfectly because his performance looked to pulled off with little effort. This is Chris Rock's breakthrough performance because it proves he is an actor to be reckoned with and not just a one-hit wonder.The intelligence and creativity of the writing was excellent because it was unique and interesting to see how the script would play out on screen. Another impressive aspect of the movie was the element of the dream Rock's character had about performing at the Apollo. It is a true pleasure and welcomed change to see a legitimate underlying plot that made sense rather than one put in to add extra minutes to the movie.The supporting cast of King, Addy, Levy and Palminteri play a huge role in the success of "Down To Earth" because each bring their own exciting personas to the screen. All of these actors come from different genres of film, which makes for an interesting mix of characters.I was extremely impressed with the way each related to one another; furthermore, as with Rock, they seemed to be right at home in their roles because it was pulled off with ease. It is not often that we find a cast who come together from different genres to produce such an exciting and hilarious film."Down To Earth" is the best comedy of the year because it combines fresh and original jokes with touching and charming scenes lacking in the other 2001 comedies. Chris Rock is a tremendous comedic talent that knows how to use it to his advantage; furthermore, it is a true pleasure to watch him."Down To Earth" made me smile because it is a truly touching film that isn't holding anything back. Chris Rock rules the screen with his comedy and the writing is out of this world. I wish I could have been part of this film.I can't wait to see Rock's next film because I know he will pull another great comedic performance out of his hat. His comedy, charm and wit made this film worthwhile and deserves all the praise it has received. "Down To Earth" receives a directed verdict of guilty of being one of the funniest films of 2001.