Product Details

• Actors: Beyoncé Knowles, Mekhi Phifer, Mos Def, Rah Digga, Joy Bryant
• Format: Closed-captioned, Color, Original recording reissued, NTSC
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Number of tapes: 1
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• VHS Release Date: December 17, 2002
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (24 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B00007CVWW
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #313,156 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Recasting Bizet's classic opera as a musical tale in the 'hood, Carmen: A Hip Hopera proves that the plot's not the thing. By retaining the story but jettisoning Bizet's individual musical numbers that propel the tragedy to its inevitable conclusion, this Carmen founders on familiarity: it's just another soap opera about two lovers whose tryst proves fatal. Occasionally, the music quotes Bizet's famous themes, but most of the rapping and singing sound interchangeable. What makes this Carmen worth seeing, however, is the scintillating performance of Beyoncé Knowles (of the trio Destiny's Child) in the lead role. From her first entrance in a dazzling red gown, Knowles shows off a vibrant, magnetic personality; the camera loves her, as her group's many music videos have shown, but they only hint at how impressively she holds the screen. Can she act? The jury's still out, but Carmen: A Hip Hopera--however disappointing this hybrid is in most ways--showcases a compelling movie-star presence. --Kevin Filipski

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carmen - A Hip Hopera, December 24, 2003

A Kid's Review

This review is from: Carmen - A Hip Hopera (DVD)

I think that this movie is definately worth your money and your time. It is fabulous and it involes alot of r'n'b singing and music. The story is fabulous and of course the actor is fabulous: BEYONCE KNOWLES!

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Sexy, musical & dramatic, January 9, 2009

By 

Msz Anna (Sydney, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Carmen - A Hip Hopera (DVD)

Carmen is the story of Beyonce - the troublemaker and hottie of the town, and Mekhi Phifer who plays Officer Hill. Hill is engaged to the perfect woman (not Beyonce, another girl)... until one night when he has to drive Carmen to the police station and thats when the drama begins. Carmen will do anything to get out of going to jail. Even seducing him. And thats where everything starts to go wrong..

Its not anything spectacular, but its good to watch once or twice. The songs in it are pretty good.. especially "If looks could kill" which Beyonce & Mos Def sang really well... and the twist definately suprised me. There are some boring bits, but overall i enjoyed it and i think its worth watching.

Oh and the quality of the dvd was good too!

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining., December 6, 2009

By 

K. Reddick "MadysiinJournals Log" (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Carmen - A Hip Hopera (DVD)

This was a great way to teach history. Ha! There is a lot of action in this movie and it is actually quite entertaining. The music and singing is really good too.