Streaming
Service: Netflix
Movie
Name/Year: Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Genre: Comedy, Biography, Drama
Length: 118 minutes
Rating:
R
Production/Distribution: Netflix, Davis Entertainment
Director: Craig Brewer
Writers: Scott Alexander, Larry
Karaszewski
Actors: Eddie Murphy, Keegan-Michael
Key, Mike Epps, Wesley Snipes, Craig Robinson, Tituss Burgess, Da'Vine Joy
Randolph, Snoop Dogg, Chris Rock, Ron Cephas Jones, Barry Shabaka Henley, T.I.,
Luenell, Tasha Smith, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Aleksandar Filimonovic, Ivo Nandi,
Michael Peter Bolus, Kazy Tauginas, Bj Bingham
Blurb from IMDb: Eddie Murphy portrays
real-life legend Rudy Ray Moore, a comedy and rap pioneer who proved naysayers
wrong when his hilarious, obscene, kung-fu fighting alter ego, Dolemite, became
a 1970s Blaxploitation phenomenon.
Cat’s
Point of View:
I have been looking forward to this movie since I saw its
first trailer. Both Selina and I listed
Dolemite Is My Name within our Top 20 for October 2019. Speaking for
myself, I am certainly glad I did – and wish I’d listed it higher in my
rankings. It was, however, the month of Halloween and the urge to stack more
horror than other genres was a temptation I couldn’t escape.
After watching this comedy biopic, I can safely say that
Netflix gave us a decidedly good treat, and there were no tricks.
Eddie Murphy (Shrek
Forever After, Tower Heist, Mr. Church) was absolutely perfect in the role based
on the very real Rudy Ray Moore (Shaolin
Dolemite, The Watermelon Heist, Vampire Assassin). I honestly can’t think
of anyone else that could have done the titular character justice. I’m excited
that a new generation has a chance to experience a classic Murphy performance like
this.
Though, my inner 80’s baby, who is still rocking out to
Axel-F from the Beverly Hills Cop
(1984) soundtrack, is a bit on the fence with the upcoming sequels planned to
both that franchise and Coming To America
(1988). Part of me is excited, and the rest is worried about sequelitis. I
digress…
Dolemite was a
comedic legend as a larger-than-life character. It didn’t matter if the movies
were cheesy or campy – that was part of their charm. It was fitting that the
star-studded cast of today assembled to pay homage to the beginnings of a
legend.
Seriously – this film was stacked with comedic genius and
personalities that are deeply woven into our pop culture of today. Keegan-Michael
Key (Lets Be Cops, Tomorrowland, Keanu)
and Craig Robinson (Table 19, Ghosted,
Jay and Silent Bob Reboot) might as well have had one of those time machine
tubs, because they helped bring us back to the ‘70s. Mike Epps (Girls Trip, Acts of Violence, Uncle Drew)
and Wesley Snipes (The Expendables 3, Chi-Raq,
Armed Response) were among the notables as well. The latter portrayed a
character far removed from his usual action style – and nailed it.
Of course, one couldn’t forget Snoop Dog’s (What Are the Chances?, Future World, The
Beach Bum) presence in this film. Moore appeared as his Dolemite character
in one of Snoop Dogg’s music videos, so this makes sense as a tribute to the
lauded ‘godfather of rap.’
That wasn’t even the full list of notables participating
with this production!
I appreciated the care that the production team took in
staying faithful to the character and story of Moore’s journey. It paid off
with many laughs and a satisfying feeling as the credits rolled.
I would recommend this movie in a heartbeat to anyone that
is a fan of comedy. I’ll probably be watching this one again soon, in fact.
P.S. There are additional scenes during the credits, some of which show a comparison between original Dolemite movie scenes and this one.
Rotten
Tomatoes Critic Score –
97%
Rotten
Tomatoes Audience Score – 91%
Metascore – 76%
Metacritic
User Score –
7.5/10
IMDB
Score –
7.3/10
CinemaScore – None
Trust
the Dice: Cat’s Rating – 4/5
Movie
Trailer:
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