Movie Review: Black Knight

Black Knight
Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation, Regency Enterprises, New Regency Pictures, Runteldat Entertainment, The Firm, Epsilon Motion Pictures USA, 2001.

Jamal Walker (Martin Lawrence) works in Medieval World theme park. Mrs. Bostick's (Isabell O'Connor) business is struggling. He plans to get a job in new amusement park. Cleaning a moat he finds and magic medallion that transports him to medieval times. 

Mrs. Bostick and Jamal

Jamal still thinks that he is in modern times. He saves the life of alcoholic knight Sir Knolte of Marlborough (Tom Wilkinson). Jamal goes to nearby castle where he is mistaken for a messenger. Jamal thinks that he is in new medieval theme park. There he meets a pretty chambermaid Victoria (Marsha Thomason) who has some modern ideas.

Sir Knolte

Jamal tries to enter the castle

Chambermaid Victoria

Jamal introduces himself as Skywalker. Jamal gets shocked by all too realistic execution "show" and disgusting table manners. Then Jamal shows the court some funky dance moves. 

Peas, man!

Play that funky medieval music

Gaining King Leo's (Michael Countryman) favour Jamal gets promoted to security chief. He gets on the bad side of bullyish knight Percival (Vincent Regan). Jamal gets involved in a plot to overthrow cruel King and return the rightful sovereign Queen (Helen Carey) to throne. That's where Jamal's friendship with Sir Knolte gets useful. To win the decisive battle Jamal must become the Black Knight! 

Jamal the Black Knight

Black Knight is a homie version of "A Connecticut Yankee at King Arthur’s Court." The plot is a regular goofy guy grows as a person and saves the day. There is also a slight buddy comedy as Jamal and Sir Knolte help each other to get their act together. Most of the comedy comes from Jamal bringing his homeboy attitude to the stiff upper lip British folks of the medieval times. Depending on viewer's taste, Martin Lawrence is either annoying or hilarious. The movie manages to be fun at times although it is quite dumb movie. But hey, it is still better than most of the Eddie Murphy's movies in the 2000s. 

Rating: Average 

Starring: Martin Lawrence, Marsha Thomason, Tom Wilkinson, Vincent Regan, Daryl Mitchell, Michael Countryman, Kevin Conway, Jeannette Weegar, Erik Jensen, Dikran Tulaine, Helen Carey, Michael Burgess, Isabell O'Connor ,Kevin Stillwell, Mikey Post, Tim Parati, Mark Joy, Joe Inscoe, Angel Desai, Elizabeth Roberts, Graham F. Smith, Mark Jeffrey Miller, Zach Hanner, Richard Fullerton ,Jayce Tromsness, Greg Cooper, Mark Pitt, Miki Shelton, Tammy Arnold, Jason Chimonides, Bob Leddy Jr., William Boyer, Denise S. Bass, Eric Paisley 

Director: Gil Junger