Rating of
2.5/4
Maybe a 'Top 5' Date Movie For the Year
Unknown - wrote on 12/14/14
Chris Rock does a good job writing/directing/starring in 'Top Five'. The guy is always smart and hilarious off screen. This movie explores that side of the limelight. A lean towards honesty is the film's intent when dealing with it's themes of audience vs performer's expectations, maintaining celebrity status while not loosing creativity, and balancing them with overcoming alcoholism. These areas boasted the most insight. There is more character depth offered here than expected. It helps the comedy, drama, and pinch of romance flow smoothly together. Those positives, along with the humor, are what have been praised by critics. I also admired those aspects, yet I feel that the film is a bit over-rated. I ultimately didn't care about the proceedings. I wasn't invested in the drama, mainly due to the cliched story beats forcing the well drawn characters into the usual situations. I didn't find the movie hilarious (as everyone says), either. Yes, there are good jokes present, but nothing really made me laugh out loud. I had an overall lukewarm feeling watching it. Weighing the pros and cons, I'd recommend 'Top Five' as a decent matinee date flick. Most are bound to get something good out of it, regardless.
