Product Details

• Actors: Beyoncé Knowles, Mekhi Phifer, Mos Def, Rah Digga, Joy Bryant
• Directors: Robert Townsend
• Writers: Michael Elliot
• Producers: Celia Hamel, Graig Hutchison, Loretha C. Jones, Michael Elliot, Rod Aissa
• Format: Anamorphic, Closed-captioned, Color, DVD, Full Screen, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English (Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo)
• Subtitles: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.85:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rating: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: New Line Home Video
• DVD Release Date: August 20, 2002
• Run Time: 88 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (22 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B000069I0E
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #20,714 in Movies & TV (See Bestsellers in Movies & TV)
• For more information about "Carmen - A Hip Hopera" visit the Internet Movie Database (IMDb)

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

Product Description

A contemporary, urban retelling of the classic story, Carmen: A Hip Hopera follows the life of a police sergeant whose world is turned upside down when an irresistible woman enters his life. Through song, the star-studded cast tells the tale of their passionate romance and tragic demise. It's Moulin Rouge done hip-hop style!

DVD Features:
Featurette
Interactive Menus
Other

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars The movie "Carmen: A Hip Hopera" is not all that it's cracked up to be., September 15, 2006

A Kid's Review

I would have to say that I found this movie to be a disapointment, which is unfortunate. This is because the movie had some potential when it came to music and directing but unfortunately, little of that potential was realized.

The movie was directed by Robert Townsend who directed, "Hollywood Shuffle" which proved to be ground breaking for its time. Beyonce Knowles has also acted in a few films and has shown that she has some natural talent. With some instruction, assuming she has not had some already, she may well prove to be a very accomplished actress.

The major problem with the movie is the script. I know next to nothing about the opera Carmen, but the first movie entitled, "Carmen" had a totally different plot. I never understood how Hollywood can remake a classic and re-invent the wheel at the same time. Nine times out of ten it usually proves to be a disaster. This movie being case in point.

In any event, it was not just the script that proved to be a hinderance to this film but the directing of it also. I found the camera techniques used to be tiresome to say the least. I could go into more details concerning this but I do not wish to bore you with this review as it discusses every bad idea that was tried in this film from start to finish.

I will say this however, although I do not listen to hip hop music at all. I found several of the songs to be orginal, at least to my ears, and not too bad. Fortunately or unfortunately as the case may be, most of the songs that I enjoyed were performed by Beyonce Knowles. As for the rest of the performances, although I have no doubt that it did have rap artists throughout this movie I was not necessarly impressed with their performance as artists or as actors.

In conclusion, I can only add that the rappers that I did reconize were Lil' Bow Wow (when he was still using that name) and Mos Def as the bad cop. This film should come with a warning which should read as follows: This film is to only be viewed if you like watching two hour long movies with virtually no plot, and which playes like a bad music video.

The film does however have a few somewhat orginal songs which are usually rapped. It should only be viewed if you love watching Beyonce Knowles perform.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Carmen - A Hip Hopera, December 25, 2003

A Kid's Review

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!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars The worst movie I have seen in 10 years..., December 2, 2003

By A Customer

What exactly is this supposed to be? A muscial soap opera? If you are going to do an adaptation of Carmen that takes place in the 21st century, it might be a good idea to have a few things like: 1) a script that makes sense. 2) Actors who can act. 3) Actors who can at least understand the lines they have to read. 4) and maybe a couple songs that actually move the story along. This movie, if you can call it that, is so bad you want to stop if half way through and break the DVD in half. I am sorry I didn't do just that. But at least I can sell it back to some sucker on Amazon or on Ebay and get some of my money back.