User Reviews

Clearly a personal project for writer/director/star Chris Rock, Top Five isn't quite a comedy and isn't quite a drama. It nestles snugly, firmly into the in-between, dispensing funny little slices of life alongside serious, self-searching notes about midlife insecurity and the desire to make something more of yourself. Rock basically plays himself, a longtime comedy superstar who worries that his silly wide-appeal earlier works have trapped him in a vicious cycle of self-loathing and alcoholism. His character is grounded and real, afraid to play anything for big laughs because the pressure to meet earlier comedy heights is so crippling. For the most part, it's the story of his swift rapport and burgeoning relationship with a tailing New York Times reporter (Rosario Dawson), which clicks on all cylinders. The two work so well together, it can be enjoyable just watching them interact over the inconsequential, and that's the real draw. Don't go in expecting riotous laughs; it's funny, but also sweet, and an effective stepping stone to broader subjects.

just make it a little funnier.. Top Five Chris Rock's hints of amusing perspective towards the details of the world is present in each of its character and is also the reason why Top Five is one of those rare features that has a unique concept, edgy characters, funny dialogues and a twisted love story.

Simply great. Comedy is a tough deal and danger of slipping into stupidity is always hovering over it. Kudos to Chris Rock. The story is very good, almost touching and dialogues are intelligent. Top five has an Allenian atmosphere (from old Woody, not the new one).

This movie is awesome. It is funny and awesome and worth your money.This movie made chris rock career better. The only problem I have with this movie is that kevin hart is only in one scene. But I give this movie a 9.2/10

When he was looking for a turnaround in his career, his life turned around. The main host of the last concluded the most controversial awards ceremony, Chris rock, donned in the multiple roles behind and front of the camera. I almost missed this film, because I have never known its existence. All the above, I'm surprised to learn it was written and directed by Chris Rock, because I haven't watched any of them. Is it really worth a watch? Absolutely yes. Chris played a famous comedian in this, who desperately looking to turn into a serious action hero. On the other hand, he's getting ready for the grand wedding with a reality star. But one day decides to give an interview for a journalist. While spending together for some time, they both open their heart and talk everything about them from the past to present. The remaining part is to disclose how the interview ends, once they find out each others true identity. The performances were brilliant. I mean it is a simple drama, mostly they talk about their personal life and profession, but inside that the both lead actors had given a good show. It was a slow start, and I did not understand where the story was heading. Because everything looked aimless and random scenes, other the some flashback parts, until the final scene. If you wait patiently till that far, you might think it was a late strike, but makes all the sense. Yep the whole narration was defined with that 20-30 second clip. The screenplay is to be praised for that. Might be slightly an underrated film, though, looks like more a television film. Finally, I have to mention those guest roles by other comedians which actually had less impact, yet appreciable for giving their hand for another comedian. 7/10

I almost dismissed the movie as stupid after the firts five minutes. I'm so glad I didn't quit. Only Chris Rock can bring laugh out loud homour into raunchy borderline offensive sex scenes. Chris Rock and Dawson could have easily carried the movie on their own with just the hilarious flashbacks. I did not care for the first scene with Tracy and that whole bunch it just slowed things down. I give it an 8 because the ending was just too abrupt.

Top Five is a fantastically funny and authentic film brought forth by Chris Rock who really captures what makes his comedy style work and puts it into a film. The film is well-written and well-directed by Rock who's film provides an authentic, touching, and amusing, look at **** and the Hollywood star machine. Fast paced and funny throughout, Rock takes various approaches in this day in the life look at falling comedy superstar Andre Allen who has struggled with alcoholism in the past, as well as various other personal struggles. The film is casually honest, which is an approach I very much like. You see Rock's character do various things that show how hard it to be famous, yet the film never makes too big of a deal about it. In this way, for a comedy, the film really does not hold your hand and does not dumb itself down for its audience. Instead, the film wants rigorous honesty from its characters and is not afraid to show it to you, if you are willing to go along with them. A funny, honest, and at times moving film, Top Five is smart, subtle, and believable comedy.

Even the laziest amount of work did to complete Top Five seriously made this movie look like a blast from a rocket and it's to the past. Enjoy this movie over and over again if you want to.

This is an interesting movie, tries something different, hit some balls, missed others but at the end is a movie worth watching. The plot is not superb but manages to keep you engaged in the film, you probably leave the film thinking about the moments you liked but end up forgetting about the film in a couple days.

This is a movie about Chris' Rock's point of view in 2014. The problem is NOBODY can relate to Chris Rock's point of view. Unless you are a rich, black, celebrity who is too smart for stupid people and too unpretentious for smart people... you will find yourself unable to relate. It also feels old. Much of the film feels as though it was produced by Kevin Smith's protege. The problem is that even Kevin Smith isn't Kevin Smith any longer. The movie feels slow and overcommits to jokes that you will find funny or not within the first 10 seconds. If you don't think the idea of a woman finding out her boyfriend is gay is funny, well, sorry, you're going to have to find something else to do for the next 7 minutes of screen time because we're milking this for all it's worth!

Of course this is a Woody Allen movie made by Chris Rock. What's great is that Woody hasn't made a Woody Allen movie this good in a decade. Here, Rock opens up honestly about a number of issues of particular importance to comedians, African American members of the entertainment industry, and the exploitative nature of reality TV. Some will love this just to see Jerry Seinfeld "make it rain" or Adam Sandler take a cheap shot by the main character's fiancee, but the strength of this film is in its comedic sadness. By the way: (1) Chuck D, (2) Beastie Boys, (3) De La Soul, (4) Tribe Called Quest, (5) Grandmaster Flash.

Brilliant look at the trappings of celebrity and where happiness is actually found amid the fame and frenzy. Even though this role is obviously tailor-made for him, he still does an excellent job of portraying the conflicted ideas that come with success and expectation. Lacked a touch of depth as far as plot, but other than that was a great look at the pressure and distraction people in his business face.

Top Five for me is Chris Rock's best film in years. chris has written a script that is both funny and insightful mocking so many aspects of fame and the ensemble cast really sells it with some excellent performances. it isn't a straight up comedy and anyone who goes into the film may be disappointed and it's better to approach it as a fly on the wall drama with funny moments.

"Top Five" 10 Scale Rating: 7.5 (Very Good) ... The Good: For the most part, Rock and his supporting cast are funny without going over the top. The film also has dramatic and serious elements that are very well done. Rock himself shows a lot more range than we're used to seeing from him and he pulls it off. Rock's dialogue is one of the best parts of the film as he comes across as genuinely funny (as well as sincere) with very little effort. The film has a slew of entertaining cameos, some of which I didn't see coming. One of the better comedies of 2014. The Bad: At times it does feel a little longer than it's 1:41 runtime, partially due to a couple of slow stretches. There is a scene or two that are unnecessarily raunchy. I don't mind a little raunchiness in my comedies, but these scenes felt forced.

Top Five is Chris Rock's first film in a few years and he is the Writer and Director of the film as well. You can fell when watching the film that Chris really cared about the Subjects/Themes covered and wanted to get his message threw to people. Top Five follows Chris Rock playing a character extremely similar to himself who's stuck dealing with people wanting to see him play the same rolls in movies over and over(Sound familiar?), but Chris wants to move forward onto bigger things in his **** film also touches on dysfunctional Hollywood couples and Critics/Reporters that will say truly horrible things to get a story. Those darker themes aside this film was hilarious, Chris Rock and the rest of the casts chemistry was pronominal and at points it doesn't even feel like they are acting for a camera but just hanging out like old times. The humor isn't for everyone, if your not well versed in Classic Hip-Hop jokes may slip pasted you. Top Five was a very enjoyable film and if you a fan of Chris Rock or his type of humor give it a watch. It's great to see people who love work together be so successful at it.

I really wanted to like this movie. I laughed twice the entire movie. Put it this way... I have laughed more watching a Rob Schneider movie. I felt like I was ripped off for 5.99 for renting this on demand. Spoiler below..... The DMX Cameo and Tracy Morgan first scene were the only two times I laughed

Chris Rock taking on the directors chair... should be interesting. The story is about a comedian is looking to ditch his funny-guy image in order to make a go at becoming a serious actor. Things are complicated when his reality-star wife decides the best place for their upcoming wedding it on her TV show. Actors taking on the directors chair isn't all that new. We seen many actors direct a movie that normally can turn out great or turn out bad. Like for example Ben Affleck when he did Argo, Gone Baby Gone and The Town which by the way where great movies. And you also get by actors who failed misery like Angelina Jolie with In the Land of Blood and Honey. And Top Five isn't bad but I didn't really enjoy the movie that much to be honest. Let's start of with the positive: Chris Rock directed this movie pretty good. I can tell he directed the hell out of this movie and it dose show and I can safely say that he did great and I would love to see him director other movies in the future. He also wrote the film as well and they was some really funny parts and they where also other parts where the writing felt a bit off for me. All the cast do fine and Chris Rock did fine too. Now for the things that I didn't like at all: For a comedy movie I laugh about four times and that's really it. The movie didn't really do it for me. Now just because I said it didn't do it for me, doesn't mean it might on you. I get the films message about how celebrities not getting the full respect and being treated like gods but their only human, yeah yeah yeah, I get it, good message through. I tried to like this movie I really did, but I just didn't do it for. But hey who knows, you may like it more than I did (or in joy it I mean) Overall Top Five has I said before isn't bad, it's just "eh". And I bet this movie isn't going to be brought up again in the late future, I might be wrong but we will wait and see.

This movie is fantastic, I don't see how it is possible to not laugh all the way through this. It isn't like Will Ferrell type funny, it was more like a Chris Rock stand up comedy show turned into a movie. If you don't find this movie funny then your sense of humor is lacking.

Just a bad movie about a bad movie. This is another black movie, representing the black perspective toward comedy and sex. Top Five is not funny or serious or real. Usually I go with the critics, but on this one they got it way wrong.

Its a feel good movie. Some people might find it stupid and unfunny. To be honest the movie is hilarious. With some disturbing moments like the scene where the woman put her finger inside a mans **** I found it disturbing but hilarious. Definitely worth a watch

Chris Rock showed that he was the complete package with this movie. He wrote directed and starred in Top Five. The film really captures what is like to be famous and adds a little humor to it. Both Rock and co-star Rosario Dawson were great and there are a lot of other really funny character that we will recognize throughout the movie like Tracy Morgan and Kevin Hart. We also get some really funny cameo appearances that I will no spoil. Top Five is not the funniest movie I ever watched nut its composition is original and it is just a down right good film even there was no humour. I would really enjoy another film with Chris Rock at the helm again.

A lot of moments where you feel like there is real danger, when not everything is funny when it should be......what did the room smell like...... tracy morgan mentions 6th man when i feel like he was in 6th man...I can't go on.....40 minutes of this movie is so bad and so is my life.....

It's a great entertaining movie, of course not perfect, it also has great cameos and pop culture references, which improves the movie if you actually get them.

Can't say this was hallarious, but worth a few chuckles. Further, it was better than I thought it would be. There are ALOT of people making appearances in this flick, which add to the interest. The sound track was dope and I liked the flashbaacks which reminded me of some good times. . But I feel the movie played about 30 minutes too long. My top five: 1. Jay 2. M 3. Tribe Called Quest 4. Gang Starr 5. Talib Kweli DONE!

Can i Please have my two hours back? I Cannot for the life of me understand what all the hype was about. This was a mediocre movie, with few laughs, very little chemistry between the leads. I know a lot of humour is based on stereotypes but these were cardboard cutouts. Sandler, Seinfeld and Goldberg had this 'what have i let myself in for' look on their faces during their lacklustre cameos. Rosario Dawson is a weak actress in a 1 dimensional role. the writing is poor. The street scenes are weak. The sound mixing in club and party scenes is laughable for the wrong reasons. How did the mainstream critics miss all of this?

Top Five is good. It is funny, dramatic, and has a relatable lead. The film is an interesting study of the life that a celebrity can and has faced. While the film has some really funny scenes don’t go into this film expecting an all out comedy. This more of a dramedy being both a comedy and drama, although for me it was a bit more of a drama. If you go in with that in mind you will enjoy this film. Its not going to be in the Top 5 films of the year, I doubt I’ll rewatch it again, and there is a chance I might not remember this film in a while but for what it was it was good and worth checking out.

My enthusiasm for Chris Rock's stand-up did not survive his transition to filmmaker. I usually need a few dramatic events to drag me along on a character's journey, but nothing happens in this movie for an hour! The only surprise was that "Top Five" wasn't funny either. So what's the idea behind it all? An interview on a walking tour of Manhattan? Seriously?

We walked out after 1/2 hour of total boredom. It is amazing that anyone would find this movie funny. If you really want to waste time and money, this is the flick to see.

Do you enjoy mediocre racist humor, tasteless sex scenes, and long stretches where nothing happens? Then, by all means, go see Top Five. However, if you have any actual taste, then avoid this movie like the plague. I went to see this with a few buddies, expecting to get at least a few chuckles, but after about an hour of stale jokes, we had to walk out, For many parts, there isn't even anything that resembles a joke. Not to mention the disgusting sex scenes that have no comedic value and drag on much longer than they should. I have no idea why this movie is being praised so much, probably because the "progressive" Rock "tackles" issues about race (in a way that would get a white actor kicked out of the film industry if they tried the same thing), but it isn't worth an instant of your time, not even a rental.

This was the worst movie ever. There were good actor and actresses that lower than standards to be in this movie. Was sick ok the "N" word wasn't funny in the least bit.

Before I describe my thoughts of Top Five, I have to state my expectations. I was expecting a raunchy comedy, unashamed of it thirst for laughter and comically respectful in its view of the black community; although free from strict restrictions to realism. With that genre in mind I found Top Five to be a great movie. The comedy is top notch (I'm even smiling as I think of some of the scenes now) and it's success at blending so many cameos by top comedians was a true treat for the audience. I don't give it an excellent rating because (1) Chris Rock can't act (2) My excellent rating is reserved for "smart" not "raunchy" comedy and (3) the decision not to play out the ending may be creative to some but I found that to be lazy. But other than those things I thought this movie was great and I'm looking forward to seeing it again. But, for some, the sex scenes can be disgusting and the language could be offensive. I found them to be funny but I can understand and appreciate someone who disagrees. This isn't a movie I'd be comfortable viewing with my mother and I'm 45 years old :-)

I was a bit disappointed by this movie. It was not what I thought it was going to be and didn’t really portray the previews. There was too many long sex scenes and naked women and there was a lot of long boring dull moments. A lot of discrimination towards white people which gets annoying in some urban movies and that about sums it up. There was about 5 funny parts of the movie

Top Five was really funny! Chris Rock was brilliant and his comedy was brilliant as usual. But the star of this film is how Rock makes a really great Rom Com and that's rare because nowdays they are just cashins, but Rock respects this theme and makes a fun movie out of it! Nicely done!

It's probably a good idea to avoid hyperbole when reviewing a movie for the first time, but here goes anyway. Top Five is well written, smart, very funny, and performed brilliantly. It's poignant, risky, risque, crude, and sensitive to it's material while completely disregarding viewer sensibility. So gentlemen, don't bring a date until you screen it yourself! But do a friend a favor, and bring a buddy. I'm going to now, because I have to see it again. I haven't laughed as hard or been this surprised by a film in a very long time. I had been wondering why I didn't know what my favorite movie of the 2014 was, and now I know. It was because I hadn't seen Chris Rock kill it with this one.

By far Chris Rock's most well made film. Rock has seemed to learn a lot from some of his past work. This film is funny, well paced, and you care about Rock's character. Not a game changer but Chris Rock deserves real credit. B+

We walked out after about thirty minutes. It was not funny. We could barely understand some of the actors. Maybe English subtitles would have helped. We did get a refund from the theater. When we told the manager that we though Top Five was awful, he indicated that he was not surprised that we left and asked for a refund as when he previewed it, he gave up well before it was over.

Hands down the smartest comedy I saw this year. I am not terribly amused by 90 minute **** and fart joke extravaganzas, so if that is your jam, this movie is not for you. (I will add that there is a very funny fart joke scene.) Though this is wholly original, it strongly references both Annie Hall and Sullivan's Travels and those are some pretty good inspirations to work from.

Top Five reasons to see the new Chris Rock movie "Top Five": 1. Chris Rock is a nerd at heart, who loves the movies. Top Five shows the influence of Richard Linklater, Charlie Chaplin and of course Woody Allen. Rock also gives props to Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor, George Carlin and National Lampoon. Don't let the raunchy humor fool you, this is very, very sophisticated filmmaking. This is Rock's "London Calling". 2. Great Romantic Comedies are the unicorns of the movies. By far the most elusive genre to get right. Top Five crushes it. Rock avoids tired cliches. I mean, you know Rock and Rosario Dawson are gonna end up together, but Rock takes you on a route rarely seen in the movies. 3. Rosario Dawson and Gabriel Union. Talented, beautiful, charismatic, versatile and criminally neglected by Hollywood. 4. Top Five has three of the best cameos in cinema history. 5. It's unapologetic in its love of Hip Hop. The title refers to the characters comparing their top five rap artists. It may not be for everyone, but I saw this in San Francisco, which means I was the only black person in the theater, and it got a standing ovation at the end of the movie. Btw, here's my Top Five: Run DMC Beastie Boys Public Enemy Jay Z Kanye

In my opinion, it's not quite as funny or amazing as the rave reviews might have you believe. It is however Chris Rock's best film to date by a longshot. Rock gives an often times funny and honest performance as a comedy star trying to make it big as a dramatic actor all while under heavy press due to an upcoming wedding. Rosario Dawson also gives one of her best and most honest performances to date as the reporter assigned to interview him. Overall, while I did wish I could 've gotten a few more laughs out of the film, it was still undeniably entertaining and it also felt like one of those rare comedies nowadays that has a little heart to it compared to most comedies that are made purely to be silly and gross.

I will never see a Chris Rock film ever again. Cedric the ET'er and Tracy Morgan were the funniest things. They are 5 minutes of the film. Long gaps between laughs. Everything happens in 1 day? Totally stupid ending. I thought this was it, totally disappointing.

Decent movie, worth a few laughs. Story was a bit bland, but cameos made up for it. In summary, wait for it on DVD if you must see it. Worth a rent a least.

Oh my god, where to begin. Chris Rock has been funny since day one. He is hilarious as hell. Multiple hilarious moments in the movie, if you guys hadn't seen the movie yet, go see it. It's so funny.

Chris Rock wrote/directed/stars in this examination of a popular movie comic who attempts to restructure his career as a serious director. The film is structured around a discussion/interview with a New York Times reporter (Rosario Dawson), as he goes thru the day promoting his film's opening (and runs into a variety of entertaining cameos). Most of the comedy comes from Rock's signature irreverent insights, even when they come out of the other actors' mouths. Much of it is amusing and sometimes funny. Rock's performance and his direction have a robust energy, but the film is more a small personal project than a riotous big-screen comedy.

Just to give you some background - I have not walked out of a movie in probably 7 or 8 years, and I think Chris Rock is probably the greatest stand up comedian of all time. That being said, this is one of the most god awful movies I have ever seen and I did in fact walk out of the movie after about 1 hour 30min or so, I just couldn't stay any longer. The fact that this movie got great reviews once again shows how unbelievably low our standards for a good comedic movie have become. I have to say first and foremost, the movie is shockingly unfunny. Seriously, I think I laughed once or twice. There's a storyline involving a gay character that I found to be done in extremely poor taste as well. Not only was it offensive, but it was really just not funny at all and pretty gross (not because of the gay activity, but because it was just plainly gross for no other reason than to be gross). If you're gonna go for low brow dumb humor at least make sure people laugh. The story is incredibly contrived, Chris Rock's acting has always kinda ****, and Rosario Dawson really isn't a very strong actress, she never has been and she mainly plays the same character in every thing she does. The storyline gets dumber and dumber and less funny and less funny, and eventually downright boring and painstakingly pedestrian. Please, for the love of god people, we should demand more out of the comedic geniuses of this world, this was NOT a decent movie, not even remotely close!

If this movie, as a whole, was as good as the last 45 minutes... this would be one of the greatest comedies of all time. Three laugh out loud scenes that got funnier as the movie went on. Rosario Dawson is absolutely magnetic in her role and as far as I'm concerned, she carried this film. Gabrielle Union's penultimate scene is the BEST she's ever acted in anything. CR is getting better as an actor, but I don't think he showed his true chops until the last third of the flick. He still has a problem breaking down the 4th wall, but he is really trying... I'm going to leave you with one word, three letters: DMX. That is all. Good job, Chris...

This was one of the worse movies ive ever seen. Not a laugh to be found. Poor story. Bad production. Horrible acting. I'm not kidding. Not one laugh at all in this movie. We walked out after an hour an fifteen minutes. Avoid this disaster.

User reviews are right on and say it quite eloquently. Critic reviews are disappointing at best and are pandering and/or afraid to say the truth. Let's be brutally frank and open up the discussion. If a white man wrote this movie and stereotyped the way Rock did, he would be blasted. Deadbeat dad; money hungry, star seeking, empty headed ho for a fiance; jewish friends who literally talk and throw money at strippers; (Seinfeld shows true arrogant, self absorbed, narcissistic self); ghetto acting friends stuffed into the projects filled with fat wives, kids running around and more deadbeat dads drinking in the middle of the afternoon expounding on their talents are a few of the stereotypes but there are too many to mention all. Apparently it is OK if Rock is doing it, its not stereotyping, its keeping it real. To add insult to injury, the audience is supposed to believe that Rock, in the course of a day, bears his soul to an interviewer (who yes is an alcoholic too) and in a faux Cinderella moment runs back to her at the end of a day with a Satin shoe to seal the deal. The crap the audience has to sit through to get to this fairy tale ending is outrageous, but not funny. There is an orgy with two hookers, Cedric and Rock himself, complete with visuals and sound effects, It is not pretty and pointless. Rock, like his comedian friends is completely self absorbed and is affronted that his movie release about Hatian rebels is not taken seriously. I guess this is a parody on the idea that black entertainers need to be making a political statement to appease their own. Anyway, it is a sham of a movie that seemed carelessly thrown together. It is sad that in this day and age, we still need this kind of "in your face" insult of a movie to get a point across. It is true that the black voice is missing. However, if Shondra Rimes can do it, so can a person of Chris Rock's stature and talent. I felt cheated at the end of this movie. Chris, it was a cheap trick. I expected a lot more.

A few laughs but hard to separate them from all the vulgarity that is prolific in this movie. It was also hard to concentrate on the ensuing love story in development without have those gross images of unnecessary sex scenes, nudity and consistent cussing in the movie. I would not even have rented the DVD! Can I have my money back?

The interviewer/star relationship seemed contrived from the start, and the NYT journalist with "a past" wasn't convincing. There were some laughs, some from sexual situations that may be funnier if you have a low laugh threshold, but overall not a big laugh riot, and not a compelling story. I like Chris Rock, but I'd say save your box office $ and see it later on the cheap.

great movie. chris rock and rosario dawson have great chemistry. really funny script, kept me engaged throughout the film. not a perfect film, but one of the most entertaining this year.