CB4

R

1993

1h 26m

Comedy

List

52%

Tomatometer

27 Reviews

61%

Popcornmeter

10,000+ Ratings

After many failed attempts to establish themselves as rappers, Albert (Chris Rock), Euripedes (Allen Payne) and Otis (Deezer D) get their big break when nightclub owner Gusto (Charlie Murphy) is arrested. Albert assumes his name and criminal past, becoming MC Gusto, and the trio rises to fame by pretending to be recently released felons. As their fame increases, so do tensions within the group. When Gusto escapes from prison, he is furious at having his identity stolen and vows revenge.

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Mick LaSalle

San Francisco Chronicle

This intermittently amusing parody of the rap music industry starts out energetic and alive, then loses its inspiration and its nasty edge.

Rated: 2/4

Jan 11, 2023

Full Review

Owen Gleiberman

Entertainment Weekly

Rated: C-

Sep 7, 2011

Full Review

Variety Staff

Variety

Tamra Davis, a musicvideo director with the well-received feature debut Guncrazy on her resume, might have really had something here had she settled on any one of the many paths the movie starts down.

Mar 26, 2009

Full Review

Dennis Harvey

48 Hills

This freewheeling satire is uneven but always entertaining, and frequently hilarious.

Feb 27, 2023

Full Review

Jeffrey M. Anderson

Combustible Celluloid

Seemingly designed as both a love letter to, and a parody of hip-hop, CB4 emerges as not being much of either, and only mildly funny.

Rated: 2.5/4

Jun 27, 2021

Full Review

Matt Brunson

Film Frenzy

Editing room cuts help explain some of the narrative haphazardness.

Rated: 2/4

Jun 26, 2021

Full Review

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Navtej B

Very funny, definitely worth watching

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/23/23

Full Review

Audience Member

The funniest parody in an original music form for the brothers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

Audience Member

I enjoyed the mockumentary segments with Chris Elliott most and Charlie Murphy is always a treat.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

George M

They don't make comedies like they used to, so I'd give CB4 the 4 bags it's title asks for. It's an underrated movie, and short too! That's good for when you're trying to finish a popcorn classic quickly ‘cause you have to work a little at night and watch bodycam video for a DWI case.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/25/20

Full Review

stephen b

It's weird how this was a lot like a Straight Outta Compton trailer 25 years before that movie came out. But this just wasn't that funny. It could have been cool as a rap version of Spinal Tap.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

This parody of gangsta rap was something that I remembered fondly from the VHS days, and I gave it a spin recently to confirm that it held up pretty well. The various rap parodies peppered throughout the film are amusing and over the top, and Chris Rock always cracks me up. Worth a look if you haven't had the chance, give it a rental.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

02/07/23

Full Review

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Tamra Davis

Director

Chris Rock

Albert

Allen Payne

Euripides

Deezer D

Otis

Chris Elliott

A. White

Phil Hartman

Virgil Robinson

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CB4: Official Clip - Do You Respect Anything at All?

2:27

CB4: Official Clip - Wacky Dee is in the House

2:10

CB4: Official Clip - Seductive Sissy

2:05

CB4: Official Clip - I'm Black, Y'all!

1:41

CB4: Official Clip - We Was Jammin'

1:56

CB4: Official Clip - My First Drive-By!

1:34

CB4: Official Clip - Sweat From My Balls

2:38

CB4: Official Clip - Trustus Is Dead

1:39

CB4: Official Clip - Assume The Position

3:21

CB4: Official Clip - Rapper Rest Home

1:43

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Synopsis

After many failed attempts to establish themselves as rappers, Albert (Chris Rock), Euripedes (Allen Payne) and Otis (Deezer D) get their big break when nightclub owner Gusto (Charlie Murphy) is arrested. Albert assumes his name and criminal past, becoming MC Gusto, and the trio rises to fame by pretending to be recently released felons. As their fame increases, so do tensions within the group. When Gusto escapes from prison, he is furious at having his identity stolen and vows revenge.

Director: Tamra Davis
Producer: Nelson George
Production Co: Universal/Universal Int
Rating: R
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Streaming): Sep 10, 2015
Box Office (Gross USA): $17.6M
Runtime: 1h 26m
Sound Mix: Stereo, Surround

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