Down to Earth

PG-13

Released Feb 16, 2001

1 hr. 27 min.

Comedy

List

20%

96 Reviews

Tomatometer

40%

50,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

When amateur comedian Lance Barton (Chris Rock) finds himself at Heaven's door, he is convinced there has been a mistake. Miraculously he is right. Since returning to his own body is not an option, a heavenly agent places him into the corpse of a rich Manhattan mogul who has just been murdered by his wife -- until a more suitable replacement can be found. Ironically, it is as this new person that Lance ultimately discovers his true self, falls in love and improves his comedy act in the process.

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Critics Consensus

A toned down Chris Rock fails to bring a limp script to life as the movie moves from one gag to the next.

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The A

Really ROTTEN. No way to find actor and Co interesting. No good jokes. Nothing funny. Es hat NICHTS mit den beiden ersten Verfilmungen gemein. Lächerliche Darsteller und sowohl im Englischen als auch Deutschen nicht lustig. Aber Hauptsache WIEDER eine Neuverfilmung mit einem COLORED PEOPLE .... ich mag den Darsteller ansonsten wirklich, aber nicht in dieser Rolle und einer solchen Neuverfilmung.

Rated 1 out of 5 stars

09/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

A very sweet remake of "Heaven can Wait," with a few twists that make it all its own. Very solid performances by Rock, Regina King, and especially Frankie Faison in the role so memorably played by Jack Warden in the great 1978 film. Wanda Sykes and Jennifer Coolidge were also very good. No, this wasn't the equal of HCW, but it is a very pleasant movie in its own right.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

01/12/23

Full Review

G H

I like this movie, I remember seeing it as a kid and just rewatched it. Chris Rock PG jokes were extremely corny at times but it's a genuine movie with great supporting performances, light hearted and fun. Holds a place in my heart

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/14/22

Full Review

Audience Member

It's funny & enjoyable, what u want to ask for more?

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/03/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I f'ing love this movie. Chris Rock makes films like he wants to see the world, and this is what I love about the movies he chooses to make*. This is a futuristic health care film where we see how hospitals would run if a black man popped into an old white man's bod, which is: HEALTHCARE FOR ALL! It's a really dreamy perspective which should be a reality already. Where does this funny film go wrong? Our main man Chris needs romantic leading man lessons. The love scenes with the beautiful Regina King are cringe-y, and King doesn't need any help acting, so...hint hint. *I won't be seeing "Spiral"

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/17/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Chris Rock is so funny!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/06/23

Full Review

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Chris Weitz

Director

Paul Weitz

Director

Chris Rock

Lance Barton

Regina King

Sontee Jenkins

Chazz Palminteri

King

Eugene Levy

Keyes

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Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

Mr. Rock's opening scene is very funny. After that it's a steep downhill slide.

Feb 5, 2018

Full Review

Nell Minow

Common Sense Media

Likeable Chris Rock in a comedy about race.

Rated: 3/5

Dec 22, 2010

Full Review

Globe and Mail

Rated: 2.5/4

Mar 19, 2002

Full Review

Emanuel Levy

EmanuelLevy.Com

Rated: C

Mar 19, 2013

Full Review

Tony Macklin

Las Vegas CityLife

Down to Earth is worth seeing. Like mainstream brew, it doesnt have high potency, but it is a nice diversion.

Rated: 2.0/5

Feb 2, 2009

Full Review

Hollywood.com

Rated: 2/5

Nov 20, 2008

Full Review

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Synopsis

When amateur comedian Lance Barton (Chris Rock) finds himself at Heaven's door, he is convinced there has been a mistake. Miraculously he is right. Since returning to his own body is not an option, a heavenly agent places him into the corpse of a rich Manhattan mogul who has just been murdered by his wife -- until a more suitable replacement can be found. Ironically, it is as this new person that Lance ultimately discovers his true self, falls in love and improves his comedy act in the process.

Director: Chris Weitz, Paul Weitz
Executive Producer: Chris Rock, Barry M. Berg
Screenwriter: Chris Rock, Lance Crouther, Ali LeRoi, Louis C.K.
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Production Co: Paramount Pictures, NPV Entertainment, Village Roadshow Prod.
Rating: PG-13 (Sexual Humor|Language|Drug References)
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 16, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 21, 2010
Box Office (Gross USA): $64.2M
Sound Mix: Dolby SR, DTS, Dolby Stereo, Surround, Dolby A, Dolby Digital
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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