Top Five

On the stage, Chris Rock is easily one of the greatest standup comedians of all time. He effortlessly commands an audience with natural charisma, sharp insights, and hilarious jokes. On the stage, he is an undeniable success. But on the silver screen… well, that's a different story. When it comes to movies, Chris Rock has had a rather uneven career, mixing in a few solid turns with a healthy assortment of decidedly lesser efforts. And by lesser efforts, I of course mean complete and utter crap. This brings us to his latest flick, 'Top Five,' where Rock not only takes on the leading role but also steps behind the camera, tackling writing and directing duties for the third time. Thankfully, in this case, it seems like the third time's the charm! Funny, endearing, and wonderfully entertaining, this is a really good movie through and through, finally successfully translating the comedian's unique voice to the big screen.

Very loosely inspired by the filmmaker's real life experiences in the entertainment industry, the film focuses on a day in the life of Andre Allen (Chris Rock), a formerly successful comedian who is attempting to branch out into dramatic work. As his newest film premieres in theaters, Allen is joined by a reporter, Chelsea (Rosario Dawson), who shadows him throughout New York City. Question by question, Chelsea learns more personal details about her famous subject, revealing the celebrity's hidden layers, passions, and demons. Forced to reevaluate his career and choices, Allen will have to decide what he really wants out of life -- and who he wants to spend it with.

Using the standard Woody Allen romantic comedy mold as his template, Rock manages to inject his singular comedic perspective and style into every frame. Far from the generic studio films he's usually cast in, this really feels like a personal and sincere effort from all sides of the camera. And thankfully, more than merely heartfelt, the movie is damn funny. The majority of the script is dialogue-driven, leading to an amusing series of conversations between Allen and Chelsea that are nicely bolstered by solid walk-and-talk camera work. Throughout it all, Rock's sensibilities shine through with some hilarious observations and witty jabs that address sometimes serious issues like race, addiction, and the pitfalls of fame.

A few flashbacks also help to broaden the scope and the film is home to some light reality TV and Hollywood spoofs as well (Allen's character is famous for a series of action comedies that involve him playing a police officer dressed up like a bear). Likewise, the funny dialogue and parodies are joined by some decidedly raunchier elements, including a few crazy sexual escapades that are sure to stick with audiences long after the credits roll. But as hilarious as the film is, the movie isn't afraid of veering off into some legitimately dramatic territory, and Rock handles these tonal shifts remarkably well. Unlike many similar efforts, the emotional beats and conflicts here never feel forced. They're just a natural and genuinely affecting piece of the story, perfectly complementing the humor.

To this end, Andre Allen becomes a fully realized character, making it easy to care about his problems, and Rock plays the part with an effortless, down-to-earth appeal. He's a celebrity who has managed to stay mostly grounded, but just like anybody else he's hung up by insecurities and an escalating fear of failure. Together with Dawson's character, the duo gradually prod details about their lives from each other, and watching them slowly bond (and argue) becomes the crux of the film. Both performers seem perfectly at ease together on-screen, instantly selling their connection. Supporting turns and cameos from the likes of Gabrielle Union, Kevin Hart, Tracy Morgan, J.B. Smoove, and more (that I won't spoil) are all hilarious and memorable as well, helping to round out a great cast with no weak links.

Thanks to a surprisingly personal touch and some quick-witted humor, 'Top Five' easily ranks high among last year's most enjoyable comedies. The script packs a lot of heart without ever sacrificing Rock's edgier qualities, bringing the comedian's trademark sensibilities to the screen through an entertaining and well-crafted story. The single day interview structure works perfectly as a framing device, fueling some very funny and insightful observations. Though he was already a master at stand-up, with his latest directorial effort, Chris Rock has fully cemented himself as a genuinely strong filmmaker. Now, let's just hope he keeps it up. We need more good movies like this, and far fewer "interesting" efforts like some of his previous flicks.  

The Blu-ray: Vital Disc Stats

Paramount brings 'Top Five' to Blu-ray on a single BD-50 disc that comes housed in a keepcase with a cardboard slipcover. A separate DVD and instructions for an UltraViolet/iTunes digital copy are also included. After some skippable trailers, the disc transitions to a traditional menu screen. The packaging indicates the release is region A coded.