Review of Down to Earth (2001) by Bill C — 29 Nov 2008

First off I want to say, I find Chris Rock to be VERY funny! Even if he's given weak material. But in this movie, he suffers from the same things that Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, and currently Dane Cook are suffering from. And that's the fact he's a great comedian, in a not so great movie.

While I don't believe "Down to Earth" is as bad as most critics have labelled it, it is still a trememndous letdown.

It's a remake of the 1978 classic, "Heaven Can Wait", a wonderful film about a football player played by Warren Beatty, who is taken from his body by an over zealous angel, before he dies. But apparently, it was long before his time.

To make up for the mistake, they send him back to earth, in the body of a recently murdered millionaire.

Similar concept here. Rock plays Lance Barton, a naturally funny comedian, but he always chokes when he's on stage at the Apollo. While trying to figure things out, he is hit by a bus, and like the original, taken over anxiously by the angel (Eugene Levy). However, Mr. King (Chazz Palminteri), decides to rectify the mistake, of course, by sending him back to earth as a recently murdered millionaire.

And like the original, is trying to win the heart of a woman. But he feels he can't do much stuck in the body of a 53 year old millionaire. And first off I don't even know why Regina King's character, would even be interested in this guy, because we see from the first scene where he's joking with her, that she's intrigued despite her hatred for him. But why? I mean, I'm not trying to be shallow, but how many young independent activist women, are attrackted to pudgy 53 year old millionaries.

Chris Rock does the best with what he's given here, but the script is just way beyond weak, and is full of dumb one liners. But I think what also could've helped this movie, is have an older actor, ala Martin Landau, play the millionaire, acting like a young black comedian. That would be REALLY funny.

Mind you they'd still need clever dialogue...

Some of the funniest bits in the movie involve Wanda Sykes, playing the maid who truly loathes her boss. Mark Addy as the butler trying to act British, and also Eugene Levy & Chazz Palminteri did quite well in there few scenes:

"What am I going do with you, first you make Frank Sinatra wait for a table".

"Sir he wasn't wearing a jacket".

"HE'S FRANK SINATRA, he can wear whatever he wants".

For some reason I found that funny. And still do...and quite frankly I don't know why.

Chris Rock really needs to find a starring role to carve his legacy, much like Pryor did in movies like "Stir Crazy". But it seemsas if he's merely focusing on his stand up career, which may be the best move for him.