Customer Reviews

Cb4 [VHS]

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

While on a hiatus from his long stint on Saturday Night Live, comedian Chris Rock took time to write and star in this film spoofing the world of gangster rap and hip hop. Directed by Tamra Davis ("Billy Madison"; "Half Baked"), "CB4" stars Chris Rock as Albert Brown, a young African-American guy living in Locash, California who dreams of making it big as a major rap star. With his friends, Euripides (Allen Payne of "Jason's Lyric") and Stabmaster Arson (Deezer D), Albert sets his sights on landing a contract with mega produced Trustus Jones.

However, trouble comes along when Gusto (played by Eddie Murphy's brother, Charlie Murphy), the owner of the most popular club is arrested in a drug transaction that Albert witnessed (Gusto believes he was an informer). With Gusto out for revenge on Albert, Albert decides to take advantage of Gusto's name and personality and create the biggest, baddest rap group of all time-- CB4 (short for Cell Block 4).

Throughout the film, the band faces challenges to their freedom of speech, problems in their love lives, band disunity, and a reconnection with their African roots. With a variety of jokes primarily targeted for urban minorities, CB4 will have you rolling on the floor laughing.

Also starring in the film is the late Phil Hartman who plays a California conservative politician bent on destroying CB4. Khandi Alexander (television's "Talk Radio," which also had Hartman as a cast member) is hysterical as the hip hop groupie Sissy who is a "businesswoman" due to her get rich scheme of capturing rap stars in embarrassing Polaroid shots and blackmailing them.

Chris Rock has sure come a long way from his days on Saturday Night Live. "CB4" was his first starring role, and after watching this film you'll see why he is one of the funniest comics alive today. "CB4" is to rap music as "This is Spinal Tap" was to rock. It's funny to the last minute.

While on a hiatus from his long stint on Saturday Night Live, comedian Chris Rock took time to write and star in this film spoofing the world of gangster rap and hip hop. Directed by Tamra Davis ("Billy Madison"; "Half Baked"), "CB4" stars Chris Rock as Albert Brown, a young African-American guy living in Locash, California who dreams of making it big as a major rap star. With his friends, Euripides (Allen Payne of "Jason's Lyric") and Stabmaster Arson (Deezer D), Albert sets his sights on landing a contract with mega produced Trustus Jones.

However, trouble comes along when Gusto (played by Eddie Murphy's brother, Charlie Murphy), the owner of the most popular club is arrested in a drug transaction that Albert witnessed (Gusto believes he was an informer). With Gusto out for revenge on Albert, Albert decides to take advantage of Gusto's name and personality and create the biggest, baddest rap group of all time-- CB4 (short for Cell Block 4).

Throughout the film, the band faces challenges to their freedom of speech, problems in their love lives, band disunity, and a reconnection with their African roots. With a variety of jokes primarily targeted for urban minorities, CB4 will have you rolling on the floor laughing.

Also starring in the film is the late Phil Hartman who plays a California conservative politician bent on destroying CB4. Khandi Alexander (television's "Talk Radio," which also had Hartman as a cast member) is hysterical as the hip hop groupie Sissy who is a "businesswoman" due to her get rich scheme of capturing rap stars in embarrassing Polaroid shots and blackmailing them.

Chris Rock has sure come a long way from his days on Saturday Night Live. "CB4" was his first starring role, and after watching this film you'll see why he is one of the funniest comics alive today. "CB4" is to rap music as "This is Spinal Tap" was to rock. It's funny to the last minute.

OMG this movie is soooooo dammmmmm funny, If you wanna see something that will make you roll on the floor, then this is a must. One of Chris Rocks best performances, plus the sound track is funny. Another movie to check out is FEAR OF A BLACK HAT.

I am not a huge Chris Rock fan, But I enjoyed Cb4 and it's parodying. I thought Kandi Alexander(newsradio) was sexy and Great, I thought the movie was funny, in a silly sort of way.I enjoyed Phil Hartman's(R.I.P.) Role too.

The CB4 music is brillant , Chris Rock is Hillarious and Whacky D is gay

Clearly one of director Tamra Davis early efforts. Made in 1993 after she was fresh out of the music video scene. I thought this had all the hallmarks of an amateurish quickie (and probably low budget, too)

Rap music culture is a rich vein of over-the-top personalities and quirky business dealings that obviously has the potential for some knockout satirical fun and to wrap it up in a fake documentary like CB4 was the best way to go, but to work well it needs creative talent in writing and direction that is so lacking here. Best bits, for me, were the songs and these worked because all that was required were the lyrics from well known rap hits and then change the words. Making a movie though is a lot more effort.

A year after CB4 was released 'Fear of a black hat' came out. Exactly the same premise but I thought it was so much better. All the usual suspects were included but it actually hung together as a movie rather than a series of potentially funny vignettes which is CB4.

When the rap group N.W.A. came along, with its provocative lyrics and presence, it was only a matter of time before a parody came along. Well this is it and its hilarious.


Its a story about 3 regular guys who decide to be gangster rappers and encounter all kinds of situations along the way, from politicians to the media, its a hilarious ride.


So if youre a fan of rap and/or great comedy, pick this up cause its a riot. Outrageous!!!

Friend told me about the movie and cited some funny quotes from it so i thought i would try it. To tell the truth i was not expecting much, but the movie was pretty funny (funny crazy), and a lot better than i expected.

I have loved this movie from the get-go and had always procrastinated on getting it on dvd,as I originally had it on tape,love the soundtrack as well.

This is a hidden gem. Chris Rock and Chris Elliot (I think that's his name) pair up for one of the Original Mockumentaries. Perhaps a Rapumentary? Either way, its hilarious.