Top Five: Review

Some of the strongest comedians have a hard time translating their comedy to the big screen. Adam Sandler keeps vomiting the first idea that comes to his head and it some how lands on the big screen. Chris Rock's first two films he directed "Head of State" and "I Think I Love My Wife", both weren't strong indicators of his comedic talents, but luckily third time is the charm with Top Five.


Top Five deals with a comedian named Andre Allen (Chris Rock), who is having a mid-life crisis. He is known for making a trio of buddy-cop movies as Hammy the Bear, where his catch phrase is "Its Hammy Time!". He doesn't think he is funny anymore and to combat that he has a film coming out called "Uprize!" which basically is the Haitian version of Django, but with him killing more white people.



With the advent of Uprize! coming out, he is doing press releases, radio shows, and whatever he can to get butts in seats for this movie. He reluctantly decides to am interview for the New York Times, with reporter Chelsea Brown (Rosario Dawson). They have real conversations about his lack of being funny, black culture, and when he hit rock bottom.


Going into this film, it feels like its just going to be another movie where a man having a mid-life crisis tries to find his spot in the world and all becomes well. This doesn't happen in the most wonderful way. This movie is basically a guerrilla style Rom Com. You don't think its going to happen and when it does you feel foolish for not realizing what was going on the whole time. Dawson and Rock have the most wonderful chemistry in this film. A lot of directors do not know what to do with Dawson, other than just make her a pretty ethnic face. Chris Rock has created a multi-faceted female character that feels fresh and is even a force against his comedic prowess.


Go see Top Five. Its a genuinely funny movie with characters that feel and are vulnerable. Its good to see Chris Rock knock one out of the ballpark and I can't wait for his next film. I give Top Five 4 and half hot sauce soaked tampons that are shoved up someone's basement out five.