Review of Top Five (2014) by Wayne F — 24 Mar 2015

I am personally FLOORED by the seemingly unrealistic critics and audience reviews of Top Five. First of all, I'm a diehard fan of Chris Rock and truly appreciate the GREAT entertainment and comedy genius he has bestowed to audiences so generously throughout his career. I'm so confused because it seems as though no one is being painfully honest about their critic of Top Five.

Secondly, I'm an African American who's all for championing and supporting our great talent and I had stratosphere hopes for the movie because it was Chris Rock: however, in truly being honest, Top Five, in my opinion was AWFUL. The acting was poor (except for Gabrielle Union and Kevin Hart), the story development was horrid, the directing was poor, and I personally didn't laugh but once the whole movie (and that was Chris Rock stand up joke about JFK). The tone and the pace was flat and monotone, the characters were all stereotyped and a few seemed more like buffoonery and when Chris and Kevin Hart had their scene the n word was used 14 times in 40 seconds...really!!! I felt that Chris Rock performance and jokes lacked the energy, passion, hunger, rawness, fearlessness, and animation of his yester years. Despite the collage of superstar cameo appearances it still fell flat. The only saving grace was the scene with Chris and DMX-who stole the scene because it was so organic to the authenticity of DMX life. Overall, that's why I'm so confused how the critics tout this movie with such high regards almost as if they want to pigeon hole Chris Rock to encourage him to continue making these disappointing, lack luster, stereotypical, 'yessa massa' comical buffoonery movies. I think Chris Rock is too talented to give his audience less than a mediocre film-probably will be hesitate to see another movie written, directed, and stars himself.