Head of State (2003)

So much average

Funny, strange, confrontational and subversive, this is one of the most interesting experiences you'll have at the cinema this year.

One of the worst ways to make a cult movie is to set out to make a cult movie.

Watching it is like watching the spectacle of a class clown at their best: you laugh at their jokes, instigate their defiance, and "ooooh" when they get in trouble.

You can tell that this was probably heavily cut down, maybe even from script phase. It looks like Chris Rock really did want this movie to have some kind of message, but either he lost his nerve or he did not know what it should say.His alderman is made out to be a good guy who sincerely wants to help people. Why does he then turn 180, and becomes the guy who says everything that's wrong, but doesn't really provide any real solutions to the problems.There is also a very schizophrenic feel about the show. It looks like Chris Rock (who should be blamed, because he is the director too) thought he should make his "Dave" or "The American President", but he also wants to make his "wayne's World" too. The character of his ex, played extremely badly by Robin Givens, feels copied from that particular movie. It could have been funny but it feels simply out of place in this serio-comedy.And what is Tracy Morgan doing in this, other than turn people off. His character should have definitely be voted the most superfluous of the century.Anyway, the good moments are the scenes between Rock and Dylan Baker, because he can actually act and gives the character a lot more than it deserves. The scenes with Rock gives his first impromptu speech also delivers, but it is all for naught because he doesn't give any answer.

Sadly, what started as a fairly reasonable idea soon collapsed into the usual Chris 'I'm The Man' Rock ego trip. Written and directed by Rock, the normally intelligent citizens of North America are forced to digest a Presidential campaign, fronted by a soon-to-be red lined neighborhood alderman. As more and more characters are introduced into the plot, the film turns into a black-on-white power trip. Despite a reasonable monologue delivered during the Presidential debate, Rock would have us believe that by using street-slang and 'the black attitude' towards guns, violence and unemployment, it got him elected to the highest seat in the land.Sorry, Chris, no.Nice try but your ego got there first.

In Chris Rock's "Head of State" the film shows what an African American would do if he were running for president of the United States, and to be honest with people, I would vote for Chris. The film's premise is about an alderman (Rock) who is fired from his job, lost his girlfriend (Robin Givens)and is being nominated for President of the United States after a fellow candidate died on a plane crash. The film's plot isn't important, because in the end Chris Rock wins; but what I found interesting about the film was the point of view that Chris Rock's character makes from taxes, education, violence, social security, etc. and what is great about the film is when Rock's character makes connections not only to the rich and middle class, but to lower income people and those that society rejects. I hope George W. Bush watches this movie, maybe he would learn a lesson and would actually care about the citizens who voted for him, instead of the rich.

The man directed it and plays the main character. If someone has two jobs he usually isn't good in either. And this sure is true for Chris Rock... The music was lousy, the jokes were boring, the characters were wooden, the meat was rotten,and even the super who wasn't that superI can't think of one reason to watch this movie, the best use for the dvd is as a beermat.