It's a shrewd little comedy that uses good British actors to challenge its star, who rises to the occasion.
38
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
The best thing about Black Knight is when it finally says goodnight.
33
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Seattle Post-IntelligencerSean Axmaker
Isn't merely bad, it's utterly flavorless and the filmmakers are either too lazy or too cynical to even pretend there's a story behind Lawrence's 21st century homeboy shtick in 14th-century garb.
30
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
Washington PostMichael O'Sullivan
This time-travel scenario is by now shopworn, and the normally riotous Lawrence, a manic and gifted clown, is hamstrung in his efforts to eke humor from the anemic script.
The lame and apparently tacked-on ending (which seems to crib footage from 2000's "Gladiator"), suggests the rather terrifying prospect of a Roman-era sequel. Five words: Be afraid, be very afraid.
A movie that knows its audience. Its underlying philosophy might be: why try harder when this is all they expect?
20
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Chicago ReaderLisa Alspector
Jamal (Martin Lawrence), starts trying to make the best of a bad situation, which becomes our job too.
10
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
Village VoiceMark Holcomb
Suited only for unwitting under-twelvers (though even they may not outlast the midpoint evaporation of Lawrence's shtick).
0
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
"It's no longer funny, but he refuses to give up the joke." That just about sums it up except for the film's shopworn plot -- and its wretchedly cheap production design.