Starring: Chris Rock, Allen Payne, Deezer D, Chris Elliott, Phil Hartman Directed By: Tamra Davis Average Rating: Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1 Audience Rating: R (Restricted) Binding: DVD Format: Closed-captioned, Color, DVD-Video, Widescreen, NTSC Label: Universal Pictures Number of Items: 1 Region Code: 1 Release Date: January 07, 2003 Running Time: 89 minutes Theatrical Release Date: March 12, 1993
Amazon.com: Comedian Chris Rock is the leader of a middle-class rap act that wins fame and fortune after donning a prison persona. The title stands for Cell Block 4. Naturally, they are mistaken for the real thing by everyone but the incarcerated gangstas, who are none too happy at the theft of their identities. One of the better efforts from Saturday Night Live alumni, this "rapumentary" is a hip-hop hit. However, it is not up to the cutting humor of that granddaddy of all spoofs, This Is Spinal Tap?, as misogyny and meanness get in the way. It has an anything-goes mentality, so expect outrageously filthy lyrics and plenty of tasteless humor. Of note: Director Tamra Davis was also behind that wild 1992 road movie, Guncrazy. --Rochelle O'Gorman
CB$ id good, but check out N.W.H... CB4 can be compared as the SPINAL TAP of gangster rap in the mid- or early 90's. Almost the same documentary type of format, CB4 shows the roots and development of a legendary rap group named after a criminal who was recently jailed and put into cell block 4.
Throughout the movie, you'll here ridiculous songs like Straight Out of Locash, a parody of NWA's Straight out of Compton which is absolutely hilarious, Sweat From My Balls, pretty self-explanatory and other hits from CB4 which make this movie great.
If you enjoy Chris Rock or any SNL, this is a must buy. I rank this up with Anchorman, Happy Gilmore and National Lampooon's Vacation in classic comedies that I have seen.
If you enjoyed this movie, I also recommend watching a similar but lower budget film called *iggaz With Hats, excuse the title. I think the latter may even be closer to SPINAL TAP and has more over the top themes.
CB4 is in the house! A hysterical almost forgotten treasure of a movie! I hadn't seen this in a long time, and wondered if it was still as funny as I remembered. It IS! And for $10, well worth purchasing. I'd have given this 5 stars, but the complete lack of bonus material kept this from getting a perfect score.
Funny, but stupid That's how I like my comedy! Chris Rock is good in this spoof of gangsta rap, but may also reflect how Chris viewed the whole gangsta rap scene!
the BEST This movie is great! It is a funny take on rappers while also haveing some relly good/funny songs. You should buy it.
You laughed at this? ...really??!! It's got a vaguely naïve feel like an early Spike Lee film, and that's about all I can say good about this turkey. No, that's not quite true: it's got Chris Elliott and Esther in it. Also, it's slightly better than `Fear of a Black Hat,' but I suspect the only reason is the merciful absence of `Booty Juice.'
The only other important thing to know about this movie is that it's not a rap Spinal Tap. No one to my knowledge has made a decent rap mockumentary; but then again, I haven't seen the 50-Cent movie yet.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Tailipoe
Trevor
