You’ve gotta give Chris Rock a lot of credit…
After a period of involving himself with—shall we say—less than stellar movie parts, all of the sudden he’s turned edgy again.
Rock wrote, directed and stars in his own motion picture which Paramount picked up for distribution following its triumphant debut at this year’s Toronto Film Festival.
TOP FIVE is a star-studded adult comedy romp, complete with an irresistible romance while digging deep under the surface of the television and movie business and the media in general. Oh, and let’s not forget politics—all while being black and famous in America.
TOP FIVE tells the story of New York City comedian-turned movie star Andre Allen (Rock) whose screen fame consists of starring in the Hammy The Bear action-comedy trilogy—of which he is damn tired.
So he’s made a new beginning in his film career with a dramatic telling of the 1791 Haitian revolution called UPRIZE. And he’s making the media rounds, talk shows and junket sessions in the Big Apple to promote his new movie.
Trouble is, his audience isn’t buying it – they want more Hammy the Bear!
That’s when Rosario Dawson falls into Rock’s life. She’s a reporter for the New York Times assigned to do a feature story on him and—-well, let’s just say things go into some weird directions.
Meanwhile Rock’s fiance Gabrielle Union is in L.A. preparing for their upcoming wedding which will be broadcast on the Bravo network on one of those silly reality shows.
While the one liners and satiric goofs fly hot and heavy in the first part of the movie, there’s a definite change of direction just around the corner.
And it’s all filled with wild and raunchy walk-ons delivered by the likes of Whoopi Goldberg, Adam Sandler, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, Ben Vereen and Cedric the Entertainer among others.
With all the unmentionable goings-on in the movie, Seinfeld delivers the film’s ultimate groaner crowd reaction by giving Rock the following advice (which I am cleaning up here):
He tells Rock to never make any major decisions right after getting a good BJ. He tells him that when Marilyn Monroe gave JFK a BJ, the prez went right out and bought a convertible.
(Nervous laughter and groans filled our screening auditorium.)
However it’s all good, edgy comedy throughout, and some may wonder whether Rock isn’t mirroring his own life with this film.
Chris Rock’s ambitious TOP FIVE is opening in preview engagements this evening. Then wide on Friday scoring a solid B.
(Reviewed at Cinemark, Merriam)
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sounds like fun.
Hated him selling out to crap like “Grown Ups 2”. Sounds like he’s back on track.
POOOOOOOOOOOKAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAYYYY!!!!