New film fails to achieve
former Chris Rock humor
 By
Jeremy Rea
Staff Writer
A confrontational and fearless comedian, Chris
Rock is a funny guy, both hard working and dedicated to what he does.
It's unfortunate, then, that Rock's new movie, "Down to Earth," is terrible.
Rock plays Lance Barton, a struggling stand-up
comedian who is flattened by a semi while ogling passerby Regina King.
Rock finds himself in heaven, only to discover from angel Keyes (a misused
Eugene Levy) that his death was premature.
Unfortunately, since he has already died, he must
inhabit the body of someone newly deceased in order to return to Earth.
Lucky for Rock, Charles Wellington, a rich, old
white guy, was just murdered by his conniving wife and assistant. Wellington
owns a hospital run by King.
So Rock enters the body of the Caucasian, pudgy
corpse, attempts to woo King and chases his dream of getting laughs
at The Apollo comedy club.
The rest of the movie essentially writes itself,
hoping the thought of a young, urban black man inhabiting the body of
a wealthy corporate cutthroat will contain enough humor and energy to
carry the rest of the film.
It doesn't.
Essentially a rewrite of "Heaven Can Wait," "Down
to Earth" is predictable from the start and plays the safest, easiest
route to every trite joke it comes up with.
With the exception of a few moments, we rarely
see Rock in his new body, which gives no credibility or humor to scenes
of Rock rapping, speaking in slang and kissing King, though they probably
wouldn't be funny anyhow.
The production is completely clueless, and as a
result, every character is flat and stereotypical. Rich white people
are evil and greedy, poor people are saintly victims. Every race represented
is portrayed as culturally ignorant and intolerant.
Rock seems all too aware that the movie is falling
apart around him, and tries only to get through his lines until given
the chance to perform his stand-up routine.
Although Rock shares writing credit, it's obvious
his only input was in these scenes, and while they offer the movie's
only genuine comedy, they have little to do with the film.
Everyone else is relegated to standing perfectly
still and delivering their lines, everybody taking their appropriate
turn. The direction of Paul and Chris Weitz is painfully static, but
because they directed "American Pie," they've now been given liberty
to produce crap.
"Down to Earth" tries to preach the value of judging
below the surface, but it's so unwaveringly cosmetic that it can't possibly
understand the topics it tries to deal with. It's a wad of overly chewed
gum you'd spit on the sidewalk.
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