a nice try... (Down to Earth (DVD))

Member Name: realgoll

Product:	Down to Earth (DVD)
Date:	17/06/01 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Chris Rock

Disadvantages: predicatable, just not funny enough

This film is a remake of the Warren Beatty classic 'Heaven can wait' and is not a bad effort really. The story goes that Mr. Beatty always wanted the main character to be black in the original film and approached comedian/actor Chris Rock to take on the part in the update, I suspect Chris Rock isn't entirely happy with the results.
Chris Rock delivers a good performance as Lance Barton a stuggling black comedian trying to breakthrough and become famous, unfortunately he keeps getting booed off stage. Next thing you know he is knocked down by a truck and killed- luckily those heavenly angels realise its not his time to go (oops) and deliver him back into the temporary body of a middle aged white rich bloke, whose wife is trying to kill him, there after much hilarity ensues.
Or rather, it should have. Just as you are getting into the film you think the potential for comedy is there, unfortunately it just doesn't materialise and you're left with lots of hit and miss stuff.

The main problem with the film is that there is perhaps too much focus on Chris Rock and the rest of the supporting characters are just too weak and under developed, plus they give decidedly below par performances on the whole.
There are some good moments in the film- all the bits where Chris Rock is on stage are very funny, he is eminently watchable and the main source of comedy is the rather predictable black vs white culture clash.

The film also suffers from a 12 rating. I watched the film with a decidedly pre-teen audience, quite a few jokes went over their heads and were met with silence (or am I just being patronising?) you always have the feeling that Chris Rock wanted to let loose with some more adult stuff.
With a typical sentimental American ending this film doesn't gives us non stop belly laughs but is definitely well watchable, destined for the video rental lists I think.

Summary: