CB4

This is by far one of Chris Rock's best works to date, and it's his first starring role! This movie has tons of talent, a tight plot (okay - you need a good ability to suspend your disbelief), and a palpable message.

It quickly became something of an underground classic as the early 90s launched the careers of many gangster rap artists. This movie does a great job of parodying the rise and fall of a gangster rap group.

It's got a unique urban flavor and is loaded with perhaps more race-driven humor than others may think necessary (many many MANY racial stereotypes are exploited in this movie, such as a local restaurant called "Big Ass Biscuit" where the young rappers frequented). However, it's done in a very tongue-in-cheek manner and the overall effect is hilarious, not heinous.

The addition to the cast of Chris Elliot playing the role of "A. White", the rapumentary's director, is brilliant. Elliot is great at playing a white fanboy who lands the job of working for his new favorite rap group, and he fumbles through the movie as only Chris Elliot can.

Phil Hartman is equally funny as Virgil Robinson, a local politician who tries to use CB4's profanity as his new platform for re-election (meanwhile, his son is addicted to CB4's music and image). The interaction between Virgil and his son in this manner represents how many parents viewed rap music as their children began to listen to it.

This movie is laden with parodies too numerous to list. The soundtrack is also quite good (if you like rap music at all) and includes the song "Sweat of my Balls" - a song featured in the movie (also hysterical, complete with a stage show of large testicles being dropped from the ceiling onto the crowd).

If you aren't easily offended, this movie is VERY entertaining. If you are able to look beyond the veneer of racial overtones and profanity, it also has a few points to make about the origins of "fake" gangster rap groups and their image.

Look for underrated performances by Tyrone Granderson Jones as "40 Dog", Richard Gant as "Baa Baa Ack" and Charles Q. Murphy as "Gusto".

I CAN'T WAIT for this to be released on DVD - if it ever will be...

I am writing this review upon seeing the move, CB4, for the third time. Even after watching this film twice, I still managed to laugh my way through 99% of the jokes. This movie showcases Chris Rock's unique and funny blend of black comedy which was still relatively unknown in his immediate post-SNL period of his career. The jokes are fast and fresh, and come one after another and still manage to get chuckles out of the audience. CB4 follows such films as Spinal Tap, in using the mockumentary style. CB4 provides a documentary for a rap group headed by Albert, Chris Rock. Rock's already established views on black culture fit in very well in his role as a middle class black man pretending to be a gangsta rapper. The supporting cast of Allen Payne and Deezer D as Euripides and Otis respectively, provide great personas for Rock to joke off of. The movie climaxes in a typical Chris Rock humorous way and leaves the audience feeling satisfied and happy. The movie is also enhanced by some killer cameos in the beginning by such rapping stars as, Shaq(during his ill-fated rapping days), Ice-T, Ice-Cube, and some other famous rappers. In a nutshell: I am only waiting for this film to be released on DVD so I can watch it over and over again.

I grew up with hip hop. And I don't mean that as some sort of white guy who got introduced to the culture through Eminem. I was 10 years old when I got into graffiti and thereby the whole hip-hop culture. This was mid 90s. Tupac and Biggie still had another year on this Earth. I, however, was more about the traditional ideas of hip hop as a movement against drugs, violence and racism. I was into Grandmaster Flash, Kurtis Blow, Run DMC, Sugar Hill Gang, Beastie Boys, Afrika Bambaataa and stuff like that. So, having spent the late 90s watching all the "gangster movies" like Boyz & The Hood, A Menace To Society, Dead Presidents, Colors, Blood In Blood Out, etc. Etc. I hade an honest and profound love for the genre and I had the necessary references for this movie. So, let's cut to the chase.

If you are into those movies and do have a love for hip hop then this movie is a blast and an absolute must, in the same way as the Wayans brothers classic "Don't be a menace to society while..." But if you have no love for NWA and know nothing about the culture then most likely you won't know the necessary references to really enjoy this.

I laughed my mass off the first time I saw it. I have not rewatched it since perhaps early 2000. But my rating is based on the experience I had back then. Hell, I liked CB4 so much that I even started a new graffiti crew called WL4 just because I found it so cool to have a letter in an acronym. Where their's is Cell Block 4, ours was "Writing on Line 4" as we were graffiti writers and the line that we ruled was number 4.

Enjoy!

This movie is a classic. I had wanted to see it when I was younger, but of course I wasn't allowed to. I saw this a few months ago and it was even better now. This is one of Chris Rock's best performances, he nails the role of a rapper perfectly (not to mention his costume...). The movie was one of the first to feature parody raps and they are great, considering this film was Pre-Insane Clown Posse and the like. "Sweat from my balls" still makes me laugh every time I hear it.

Some might say this does not transfer to the new rap school, but It definitely does. If you were once a fan of oldschool rap or are still a fan of rap, this movie is definitely worth checking out.

CB4 (1993) is a childhood favorite that's in the DVD collection and I recently watched for the first time in a long time on Tubi. The storyline follows a group of friends that are trying to find their way in the rap world and find their lane in gangster rap. Their history and lifestyle doesn't fit their lyrics, but that doesn't stop them from hitting their grove and having success. However, they don't expect success to expose their flaws and challenge their friendships...but it does.

This movie is directed by Tamra Davis (Half Baked) and stars Chris Rock (Boomerang), Allen Payne (New Jack City), Chris Elliot (Groundhog Day), Charlie Murphy (Norbit), Khandi Alexander (Scandal), Theresa Randle (Bad Boys), Isaac Hayes (Escape from New York) and Rachel True (The Craft).

This is an elite hip hop comedy parody and I adored how they tied in the real life hip hop artists from the era and the perceived lifestyle. The acting in this is top notch and this is one of Chris Rock's all time greatest performances. Charlie Murphy, Phil Hartman (Jingle all the Way) and Khandi Alexander deliver tremendous supporting performances. The writing is clever with fun scenarios, great dialogue, one liners and wild circumstances. The ladies in this are gorgeous, especially Alexander, and Wackee Dee was a hilarious character (played by Stoney Jackson, Trespass). The evolution of the friendship is well depicted and the ending is rewarding.

Overall, this is a classic that's an absolute must see. I would score this a 7/10 and strongly recommend it.