MovieChat Forums > Harlem Nights (1989) Discussion > I loved this move

I loved this move

posted 19 years ago by vdieselpower
10 replies | jump to latest

I just finished watching this movie for the umpteenth time and suddenly it came to me: Why has this outstanding flick gotten so much critical flack? It starred three of the greatest comics of the 20th century, had an all-star cast, superb scenery, impeccalble comic timing from much of the supporting cast(Like one part where three rival gangsters try to kill one of the leads: Two fire machine guns while one fires a little baretta, one of the gansgters subsequently yells: "Stop firing that little *beep* This deserves to be heralded as one of the great comedy classics of the 20th century along the lines of Blazing Saddles.

[–] 19 years ago

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[–] 19 years ago

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[–] underthenet 15 years ago

Highly underrated.

[–] club-shred 15 years ago

Despite what some may think, this movie didn't get criticized because of prejudice or racism... I mean, come on... I remember when it came out and it was criticized because of Eddie Murphy's ego at the time. Acting, writing and directing - at what was really, the peak of his career. I love this movie - I think it is a severely underrated comedy classic, but it got panned mainly because of Eddie Murphy.

I'm the Anti-Christ. You got me in a vendetta kind of mood...

[–] Charlie Goose 15 years ago

The biggest laugh of the movie is during the opening credits where Eddie Murphy's name appeared like 20 times in a row.

I have a new philosophy. I'm only going to dread one day at a time.

[–] mrdwaynej 15 years ago

Well, this movie was very good. Eddie did a good job with the writing. The movie flowed very good.

[–] jgillman 15 years ago

Just watched it again, and I love this movie. It still makes me laugh every time. Brilliant acting all around. I never get tired of this. I bought it the first day it came out on dvd. My friends and I still quote this movie when we get together. Classic!

[–] speedolitec 15 years ago

I liked it. Watching it right now actually

[–] iggytoole 15 years ago

Underrated movie. Every time I watch it (especially in a group setting,) the laughter is non-stop.

[–] megasharktopus 15 years ago

Just watched this movie, and remembered how badly people trashed it. I guess this was during Eddie Murphy's decline from stardom so everyone wanted to see him fail. I'm not even a big Eddie Murphy fan, but I thought he did a fantastic job for his first and only movie as writer/director. For some reason his script won a Razzie, but it is hilarious, fast paced and has the right balance of comedy and action. He should be given credit for what he did, I wish he had done more.
The best thing about it is that Richard Pryor gets equal time. Everyone else has great moments too. Sometimes the comedy doesn't mesh perfectly with the action, but mostly it works great.
I love Arsenio Hall's brief appearance...and quick demise!