Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat (2002)

Martin Lawrence explains in the first few minutes of his comedy special dubbed Runteldat that he isn't waiting for E! True Hollywood to tell his s***, but is going to tell it in his own words and his own personal experiences. I normally say that some concert and stand-up films that go to theaters aren't really that special enough to go theatrical - but I think Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat posses a strong enough reason for such an honor."Runteldat" is a slang term for "run and tell that." While it's not spoken throughout the whole film, it has a certain meaning to it which makes it worthy of the title choice. Lawrence is basically telling the audience members "now that you know the true story, run and tell that!" The special was shot at Constitution Hall in Washington D.C., and was directed by David Raynr. Raynr directed the seldom-seen Whatever it Takes which was truly a mixed bag of comedy and drama elements. Runteldat is also number eight on the list of films that uses the f word most frequently, clocking in at three-hundred and eleven uses. I, for one, am not offended by vulgarity if it is taken in a new and non-gratuitous manner. It may seem like nothing but unnecessary language, but once you get past it, the film becomes a pleasure and the vulgarity adds to the fun of the whole picture. After a while, you adapt and it becomes an unobtrusive quality.Martin talks about every from sex, to drugs, to crime, to cops, to 9/11, the news, the media, and even the Cha Cha Slide and why he "can't stand that f****** dance!" The first seven minutes are devoted to a montage on Martin lashing out at the media. The message is unclear because I can't really see what they did wrong. They were reporting on him because he was arrested. Why is he getting mad? I don't know. The whole attack seems tiresome and drawn out, but once Martin gets a hold of the mic - anything goes.When talking about critics, he says that can "criticize deeeez nuts!" When talking about the Cha Cha Slide he says "STOP! Think about it." One of my favorite sketches is when he talks about the way blacks and whites react to getting pulled over. I'm white, and while I think I was supposed to be offended or insulted, I couldn't contain my laughter. When a film makes you think offensive material against yourself is hilarious - I can't help but give it the highest compliment I've given a comedy special.I'm not easily offended because I feel that Martin isn't being racist as much as he is proving a point about how distant blacks and whites can be sometimes. If I found out he was being honest? I'd probably still laugh seeing as he has the gall to admit something like that. It's a win-win for him.Another skit that was fabulous was when he discusses the differences between black and white parenting. He uses an example when a kid insults his mother, the mother sends him to timeout for "emotional issues." He claims if you said that to a black mother, your timeout would be picking up your teeth, your molars, and getting your foot out of some place.Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat is a comedy special of epic vulgar proportions. I can't sum it up to a solid degree. This isn't the raunchiest or best that I've seen, but since Lawrence has done a number of kid films it's nice to see him step up to the mic revealing his dirty side. I couldn't help but applaud at the end. The ambition and courage it took to get on the mic and say what he just said deserves some kind of award.Performed by: Martin Lawrence. Directed by: David Raynr.

"Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" caught me by surprise because I don't usually find myself enjoying this genre. "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" is funny, engaging, insightful and crude; "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" contains all of these and I can finally say I have seen Martin Lawrence at his best. If you are a person who enjoys great comedy, Martin Lawrence or just curious about the comedian; "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" is for you. "Martin Lawrence Live: Runteldat" opened my eyes to this type of genre and made me want to rent other comedies like this. I hope everyone enjoys this as much as I did.

The comedian Martin Lawrence tells his audience at the half-way through his concert film "Runteldat" about his days at HBO. He points out to them: "Ya'll better remember who was the original host of Def Comedy Jam ya'll unforgetful bunch of motha****ers". Indeed he did get some respect for that and then some.The comic keeps it more real in the confessional level and he talks in detail about the events of 9/11,his own turmonial involving his confrontation with the police on various charges and his own brush with death including the near death breakdown in the middle of traffic on a Los Angeles freeway in 1996. This is clean but raunchy cleanup with the same get-a-load-of-me bluster he flaunted on "Def Comedy Jam" and in his own X-rated 1994 concert film "You So Crazy",but beneath the braggadocio he comes off as a warmer,more,self-savvy and altogether a very funnier person(something that Eddie Murphy may need to go back to getting his career a boosting battery charge of his film career).Anyway its a confessional comedy lite from a performer who should realize,by now,that he only gets funnier the more he reveals. Also,to make a note this was filmed at Consitutional Hall in Washington,D.C. where Marian Anderson who refused entrance by the Daughters of the American Revolution which she was cordially invited by first lady Eleanor Roosevelt. Nowadays you see Martin Lawrence doing concert films and that lets you know that there a change a coming and its here.

Martin was funny..at times.. but sometimes it was just mildly entertaining. no new jokes, nothing that will knock you off your seat. The best part was about his own life incidents. I didnt realize how near death he was. Recommended only to the hard core Martin fans.