Le Chevalier Black

B O M B. Wow! It is just hard to comprehend how terrible this movie really is. At the beginning when you see Martin Lawrence brushing his eyebrows with a toothbrush you know it is off to a bad start. To add to that the jokes are just horrendous. I sat stoned face until the end when you see Martin Lawrence's ugly mug pressed up to the camera. I don't know if it was the relief that the movie is over or that he is just plain ugly. Or because they were trying to set it up for an even crappier sequel.

I don't think that this film was even one tenth as bad as many of the reviews I've seen. First, it should be taken in the spirit of which is was obviously made, fun, light comedy. Certainly, it didn't break any "new ground," and I doubt that it will be remembered along with "Some Like It Hot." As much as I initially wanted to HATE this film, I thought it was a noble effort by the star, who was wise enough to surround himself with supremely talented British actors (many from the legitimate stage) who both accurately embodied the realism of the time, and possessed the chops to pull it off. Yes, it used all of the typical ghetto dialogue and Hollywood plots, but it did it with such clever wit and attitude that I wound up being quite charmed by the film. Again, if you're looking for "Malcolm X," don't bother. But for an afternoon's amusement, good, clean fun. I have no qualms about saying that I enjoyed it.

This movie is bad, no two ways about it. I don't think I'm alone in saying Martin Lawrence is a terrible actor (although quite funny in Big Momma's House) and his sneery smile and the fact that women don't seem to be able to resist him add to the farce of the film. As for a black knight in medieval times, he'd either be made a slave, or killed-Not racist, just the truth. Also, though it seems petty, why would a fake castle in California transport anyone to a real castle in England. Dumb, dumb, very dumb, very bad.

This movie was tolerable at best. Not bad considering the circumstances behind Martin Lawrence traveling back in time. That was a little unimaginative. This one makes A Knight's Tale seem like a medieval masterpiece.

(3 out of 10)

There are movies that are absolutely stupid, and yet incredibly funny; Animal House and Caddyshack come to mind. Black Knight is absolutely stupid and incredibly UNfunny. Along with black holes, quarks, and the meaning of life, the greatest mystery of the universe is why Martin Lawrence has a career: The guy is not only not funny, but manages to be truly pitiable -- shucking and jiving like an nineteenth century minstrel. I'm surprised the NAACP doesn't protest his performances, or this movie for that matter.

It's hard to find a redeeming virtue in this movie -- the script seems to have been lost by all indications, the "acting", even using the word in quotation marks gives too much credit, is lousy; and the sets look like they were worked up in a high school basement for a student production.

I'm not sure what audience the makers were going for; Martin Lawrence is often marketed to black audiences, but in this movie he and the love interest are the only blacks in the movie. Of course all the whites are depicted as complete idiots, but Lawrence out-idiots them all.

Another example of Hollywood's contempt for the movie going public. They think they can trowel out any sort of bilge and make money. Let's hope they wake up soon, and if they're going to give us silly movies, make them funny.