When Rock finds his authentic swing as an actor as well as a comedian, he'll be, like, a movie god.
63
Boston GlobeJay Carr
Boston GlobeJay Carr
A little too shipshape, too eager to please, not quite as anarchic as the best comedies.
60
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
Chicago ReaderJonathan Rosenbaum
It's slight but likable, and diverting enough as light entertainment.
60
Village Voice
Village Voice
There is a lot of electricity running in these cables, and directors Chris and Paul Weitz, responsible for "American Pie," know how to tap enough of it that almost every minute of Down to Earth is entertaining. But not quite surprising.
50
USA TodayMike Clark
USA TodayMike Clark
This remake is shorter than its predecessors, a welcome earthly reward.
50
New York PostJonathan Foreman
New York PostJonathan Foreman
Plays to none of Rock's strengths (even though he co-wrote the film with members of his HBO team) and intensifies his tendency to mug and shout.
25
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
San Francisco ChronicleBob Graham
Beatty's "Heaven Can Wait," released in 1978, was a comic fantasy about a near-death experience. This new version is a near-life experience.
Rock is undisputably gifted and charismatic, but when Down to Earth takes his edge away, the film's energy goes with it. And without energy, no comedy can survive.
10
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
L.A. WeeklyPaul Malcolm
The film seems to argue that Rock's real-life manipulation of the race card is little more than exploitation, rather than the essence of his incendiary comic critique.