Pootie Tang (2001) User Reviews (146)

It really made me laugh.

[Boba_Fett1138 · 6/10 · 1 February 2011]

Thing I never understood is that these sort of simplistic and silly comedies often get slammed, while movies from the early days of the genre (the Jim Abrahams and Leslie Nielsen type of comedies) are being loved and considered to be classics, even though the humor and comedy of the movies is just the same. For me it's very simple; when a comedy amuses me and makes me laugh I consider it to be a good and effective one, no matter how bad and silly the movie got done.

It's just the sort of movie in which things simply just happen, without often share a clear connection with each other and without featuring a real solid or clear main-story. It's really simplistic, especially story-wise but lots of its moments are simply funny and therefor this movie does work out as a comedy.

I really won't pretend like "Pootie Tang" is the greatest thing ever. It's often just too simplistic for that and it's story and acting is definitely too much lacking. but there is no denying that this movie simply serves its purpose and I definitely can say that this is a movie that genuinely made me laugh because of how silly and crazy it at times got. Still, at the same time it's also true that the movie doesn't quite live up to its full potential. I mean, the movie never really lives up to its great and promising beginning. But luckily the movie is too short to start to further decline, below the level of average.

Still the funniest Chris Rock comedy I've seen in years.

6/10

http://bobafett1138.blogspot.com/

Fun stuff! - 6 of 10

[deadsenator · 6/10 · 9 July 2002]

Pootie Tang is a very fun movie that cannot be taken seriously. I laughed at many aspects of this film and so should you. It should be taken lightly and with a zest for fun. I'll enjoy this film every time I see it and I suspect it will last a long while as a cult classic. Good stuff.

Pootie is as Pootie does...

[x111b3825 · 6/10 · 16 June 2002]

I try to avoid...no...well, "Pootie Tang" was honestly the last flick on my list of movies to watch (actually it wasn't even on the list...), but I did watch it when I'd seen everything else on the tube. This is probably the only way I would recommend it because it is far from even the middle of the road for popular film.

Of course Pootie Tang is not a movie that should be approached like anything other than the Three Stooges or something similar, because its just plain stupid humor, that will likely stick with you for long after the Pootie Tang experience. If you can leave it like that, you'll likely laugh and shake your head at some of the goofy humor and be calling your friends Pootie and snickering for days (or maybe just me...), otherwise, you could regret the Pootie Tang exposure. Just be forewarned.

This isn't Memento, and from a comedic point-it isn't even close to mainstream like American Pie or Meet the Parents, but if you can just spare Pootie a moment of your time...

"Tang" needs a second look here...

[b-madarasz · 4 August 2003]

I'm more into classic drama and the epic scene, but when I do get into a comedy it has to be absolutely senseless. I don't want to see any formulaic structure from the drama side of things crossing over - which a lot of Holly-comedies have - it has to take on its own form and the Chris Rock produced "Tang" does that. The cheese fact is a perfect 10 on the scale and the creative powers that be told this story with precision. I believe this will be a cult classic, not to mention it far out played "Undercover Brother" which was released on a healthier production and marketing budget that same year. Chris Rock should be proud of his producer role and Lance Crouther was the funniest black-man stereotype I've ever seen. Finally, I remember going to a Blockbuster a few years back with some friends to buy the DVD, it was such a cult hit that some kid had stole the disk and left the DVD jacket on the for sale shelf... That says something. True stupidity is an acquired taste which only few can actually understand. And I would bet a few Franks that comedic geniuses are serious people 90 percent of the time. But when they let loose, look out.

Funny..for 5 minutes

[Abztraakt · 1/10 · 3 April 2004]

Pootie Tang was funny as a 5 minute sketch on the Chris Rock show. But the movie just doesn't work to me. It's like being stuck on a plane next to a guy who keeps telling you the same joke. It goes from being funny to being painful. Chris Rock even admits how bad the movie was. And yes I know you're not supposed to understand him. Wow everything he says sounds like gibberish Sada-Tay Tippy Tow. You're right that just makes me change my entire opinion. This movie was great. *note sarcasm* The only parts that were kind of funny in the movie were at the beginning and the end. I don't want to give any spoilers but the best thing I could probably do for you is spoil it so you aren't tempted to watch it. I love movies and its very rare that I just completely don't like a movie. There's only two that I can think of off the top of my head, one is House of the Dead and the other is Pootie Tang.

Occasionally Sipi-Tai (but mostly not even Wadata)

[EdYerkeRobins · 3/10 · 15 March 2002]

"Pootie Tang", based on a sketch character from The Chris Rock Show, is another piece of evidence to add to the fact that sketch characters usually don't work for long periods of time – look at most Saturday Night Live movies, and to a lesser extent Jay and Silent Bob. While the film is fun at parts and stays true to its audience, it's not a very enjoyable or memorable experience.

The film's main draw for me was Chris Rock; unfortunately, he was greatly limited by his weak supporting roles and this wasn't one of his best performances (and it wasn't one of his best performances either). Lance Crouther was pretty slick as Pootie Tang, a new-age blaxploitation superhero, but the gimmick of his own language without subtitles or anything went downhill really fast, especially since the same words seemed to have multiple meanings throughout the picture depending on the situation (though I'm no linguist, it could've just been misinterpretation). The villains, a generic evil white corporate geezer and decidedly less generic brother/dirty street dealer, served their purpose, the latter being more memorable only because of his obsession with staying literally dirty. All other characters (most of which are urban culture stereotypes, with the exception of a couple backwoods/redneck culture stereotypes) are introduced, serve no real purpose other than to fill space towards their one (or two) gag(s), do their gag(s), and then exit all the same without leaving a lasting impression (or, in the case of a bad gag, any laughter).

The problem with "Pootie Tang" was that the vast majority of the characters and gags just don't leave any lasting impression. Some of them were worth a chuckle, but the rest of it just seemed like Chris Rock light, toned down and lacking his signature edge (maybe I just expected too much as a Chris Rock fan who saw his name on this). It's quite possible that I'm just not the right audience, as it's quite apparent that the film knows its limits and caters exclusively to a specific type of cynical urban audience mind-set (as evidence for this, a friend told me when he saw it in the theatre that he, along with the rest of the audience, was rolling in the aisles with laughter).

One admirable and interesting thing to note is the film's soundtrack. Unlike most urban soundtracks, where seemingly random songs plucked together and marketed to push units with few connections to the film, songs in this film are lyrically linked to and played in connection with characters and events. This gives the songs the feel of a literal soundtrack, serving the same purpose as the score in other movies, and brings a welcome freshness that the rest of the film should have shared.

Part of the film's plot centers on Pootie Tang "selling out" and going from a street hero to just another image. In real life, this will never be an issue, because the film makes the effort but is just not funny or original enough to turn into the fun movie necessary for a worthy new franchise. The aforementioned soundtrack was rather clever though, along with the ending, but that was really it.

Great camp!

[EvilTommy · 7/10 · 29 October 2002]

This movie is so unique, it may be as difficult for some to understand as it is to figure out Pootie's language. I was captivated from the first scene right up to the end. Kudos to Lance Crouther for his truly inspired performance as the hero. His physical comedy while combatting his foes or even just interacting with everyone else was brilliant and quirky. You really find yourself focusing on him in every scene, just to see what he was going to do next. There is also the ensemble of actors that inhabit Pootie's world, all of whom did a great job. I often read critics making comparisons between the modern charactor actors and how they pale before those of the distant past - razzz - wrong! These people hammed it up with style and flair. "I'm Dirty Dee, dammit!"

Sah da tay, my brothers.

Oh my god...it is full of stars...I mean there's...let's see...Chris Rock...wow!

[DarkCherub · 1/10 · 16 August 2002]

Ok there are three reasons why I didn't like this movie at all.

One: English isn't my mother tongue so I guess I couldn't possibly get the humor connected with the way Pootie "talks" (I assume he's trying to express something although I couldn't understand a single word he was saying). Zada Tee...HAHAHA Damn that's funny...on second thought though...uhm what the heck does that mean and is this sort of stuff supposed to make me laugh? Well, at least as for me it didn't...not one tiny bit.

Two: I'm not into rap or hip hop or any of the "values" connected with that sort of noise ;) Unfortunately as the movie is solely based on black music I couldn't identify with any of the protagonists, not at all. Plus the jokes are so lame you can hardly take it without having to go to the bathroom at least twice an hour (breaks are needed in order to cope with the idea of having to sit through another bunch of painful not even remotely funny pranks).

Three and most important of all: POOTIE TANG SUCKS...HARD. To be completely honest that's the only thing that came to my mind while watching this utter c**p. If you even consider watching Pootie Tang please do yourself a favor and bang your head against a concrete wall until you've knocked yourself unconcious. That way you've tortured yourself equally merciless...for free.

Thanks for your time...

my dilly

[Jemiah · 8/10 · 25 May 2007]

It's criminal, how underrated this movie is. It's inspired on so many levels, and the encyclopedic knowledge of action films, hip-hop videos, 70s blaxploitation and chop-socky movies is breathtaking. I always think of it in the same class as THE JERK and ZOOLANDER, with a healthy respect for flat-out absurdity and non-stop gags. The filming style is rough, and the actors generally have no polish (an undoubtedly deliberate choice), which makes the sudden flashes of precision so devastatingly funny. Wanda Sykes, in particular, is absolute gold as party girl Biggie Shorty, but the film's full of co-stars - Andy Richter, Dave Attell, Jennifer Coolidge, J.D. Williams, Missy Elliott, and Robert Vaughan - who get their turn on the silliness carousel. I can imagine someone who isn't a fan, or at least an observer, of the above things would hate this movie like poison, but for me, who has seen more Jay-Z videos than I ever wanted to see and who can't help laughing when I see a man use kung-fu to bounce bullets off his hair (a gag too complicated to explain, but seamless on screen), POOTIE TANG is fantastic.

I'd recommend it more, but it's just too hard to describe!

All kinds of religious inferences

[messiercat · 7/10 · 15 November 2004]

Pootie Tang actually can be looked at as a parable, an allegory of a messianic figure. How's that for making a purse out of a sow's ear? Consider: A powerful figure roaming around doing good deeds, speaking in a puzzling language that only believers understand, attended to by his apostles, befriending prostitutes. Suffering from inner demons he retreats to the wilderness (the farm) and experiences an epiphany through the physical manifestation of his creators, going back and finally confronting and conquering the demons. (Dirty D = Dirty Devil)Along the way he even awakens the dead (the knife wielder at the club), banishes a horde of false prophets (all the fake Pooties), and can bring people to rapture through sheer silence alone. Whew. Heady stuff. Sa Da Tay!

The definition of nonsense

[mattymatt4ever · 3/10 · 17 December 2001]

I would go on and on about how stupid and senseless this movie is, but it's not worth wasting my energy. Here is the basic punchline of this one-joke comedy (if that's what you consider it): The main character, Pootie Tang, blurts out a bunch of words and phrases that no one understands but the characters in the story. Oh, my God! You must be falling out your seat laughing!!!

Now, we had the character of Farmer Fran in "The Waterboy" who did the same routine, but it worked. First of all, Blake Clark is a much better comic actor than Lance Crouthers--and has a barotone voice that alone makes you crack up. And second, he wasn't the main character, so the joke wasn't played out to tedium.

Even a silly joke has to make some sort of sense. In one scene, Pootie is in a recording studio, recording his new song. He asks the studio executive to turn down the sound. So what we hear is...nothing! Literally nothing! And everyone goes crazy over Pootie's new single! It's the talk of the town! A song that composes of nothing! OK, so "Seinfeld" (my favorite show of all time) was a show about nothing, but it's the kind of nothing everyone can relate to. Everyday characters in everyday situations who go through normal, everyday routines.

I try to be gentle with comedies, but if a comedy doesn't make you laugh--what do you have?? I've seen stupid comedies before that made me laugh out loud (i.e.: "Dirty Work," "Saving Silverman"), but this is just plain stupidity! Where's the laughs? Damned if I know.

I've never watched "The Chris Rock Show" (don't have premium cable), but I hope the sketches on his show is a lot funnier than this disastrous vehicle. Louis C.K. (the writer/director) is one of the writers on Chris' show, and most of the cast composes of the regulars on the show. Of course, Chris Rock himself has to be in it--in three roles!! Chris is a talented comedian, but with material this lame he couldn't even milk any humor out of each scene. And what the hell is up with Robert Vaughn?? This formerly respectable actor has only turned up in roles in campy comedies like this over the past years. First he was in "Joe's Apartment." OK, I found that movie oddly appealing, but he still had a thankless, embarrassing role. Then it was "Baseketball." And now "Pootie Tang"! Wanda Sykes is also a regular on Chris' show and unfortunately she had to be dragged into this project, just like with Chris' other disastrous comedy "Down to Earth." I like Wanda, I've seen her stand-up acts and she is absolutely hilarious. But even she couldn't bring out any laughs.

This is the kind of camp that doesn't even have potential to become a cult classic. I'm sure everyone who participated in this project, twenty years from now, will probably make sure every copy of this film is burned. I'm only giving this movie a vote of 3, because I got a few chuckles towards the end. Nevertheless, this is still awful, awful, awful....

My score: 3 (out of 10)

Pootie Tang is the Sh*T

[loislanemiami · 10/10 · 13 April 2006]

For those of you that don't get it, leave it alone. This is about fantasy, fun and escapism. Its meant to take you away from reality and make you laugh and it does just that. The acting was not meant to win awards or come close. It is supposed to be fun.

I love it! Don't hate cause you don't have it going on like Pootie Tang (LOL). All these men wish they could whip another man's butt with their belts and have all the women slobbering all over them without even having to speak!

Biggie Shortie is doing it! I think it was very creative. Its easy to do something that everyone else is trying to do. This and Half-Baked are classics

Sa da tay! Pootie Tang is OK

[JonTMarin · 7/10 · 8 August 2004]

"Pootie Tang" is the ultimate guilty pleasure film. Sometimes I ask myself, "why do I laugh at this?". I don't know why, but it funny as hell. Chris Rock is a genius. I don't know how you come up with a story about a funny talking super hero. Throughout the whole movie, this guy is saying things that doesn't make any sense, but the characters surrounding him all understand. How do you come up something like that?!? And put it into a feature film!!! One liners like "sa da tay" and "sine your pity on the runny kine", are classics. "Pootie Tang" was conceived on the HBO hit The Chris Rock Show, in this spin off movie, Pootie is trying to take all the junk food, drugs and alcohol off the street that is being distributed by Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn). The supporting cast includes The Chris Rock Show regulars including Wanda Sykes. "Pootie Tang" seems like a send up to 70's blaxpoitation films, but at the same time, I don't know what it is. "Pootie Tang" is a mixed bag of funk music, cheesy action and comedy. It all works for "Pootie Tang" making it the most unusual film ever made.

Pootie Tang- rated PG-13 *** out of ****

Train wreck of a movie

[zetes · 3/10 · 17 July 2011]

This movie, based on sketches written for the Chris Rock Show, flopped back in the summer of 2001. Since then, it's garnered a bit of a cult following. I had to check it out, as I've become a little obsessed with comedian Louis C.K. lately. He was a writer for the Chris Rock Show at the time, for which he won an Emmy, and he wrote and directed this film. Nowadays, C.K. directs and writes (and edits, too, I think) his own show for the FX network, and it's easily one of the best things on television. Unfortunately, his talent does not at all shine through in Pootie Tang, and I honestly have no idea how anyone could find this movie funny. Really, it's a disaster. It's so bizarre that it is somewhat watchable, like a train derailment, but funny is something it absolutely is not. Lance Crouther stars as Pootie Tang, a folk hero of sorts who speaks in gibberish but is world famous for his movies, his music and his general heroism (he often gets in fights with drug dealers who end up in prison). The thing is, this character completely lacks charisma. He sounds like a rip-off of Eddie Murphy's Buckwheat character from SNL, but not even close to as amusing. Chris Rock co-stars in multiple roles (Pootie Tang's father and a member of his crew). Wanda Sykes is the most tolerable thing in the movie. I liked her dancing, at least. The plot reminds me of another lame 2001 comedy, Zoolander, but at least that one had a couple of laughs in it.

Pootie Tang AKA Dolemite Lives

[Mr. Pulse · 12 July 2001]

For those of you put off by the comments below, of which a large percentage are rather negative, well don't go see it. If some of teh good revies below don't make you want to see it either, don't go see it. I'm not surprised Pootie Tang isn't a big hit, but don't expect it to fall off the face of the earth. It probably will, for about ten years, but then it'll be back.

My rationale behind this is that this movie is shades, more than just shades, it's practically a sequel, of the ridiculous Rudy Ray Moore movies of the seventies, including Dolemite and Disco Godfather. In the former, Moore played Dolemite, a successful standup comic (Created in his own standup act) who is also a pimp and crimefighter in his spare time. Pootie Tang is a character created by Louis C.K. with actor Lance Crother, who is a successful hip hop artist, who is also a ladies man and a crimefighter in his spare time. See what I'm talking about?

There are more similarities. Each film is low budget, and often quite amateurish. Both films are made by people who obviously don't have all the mechanics of filmmaking down (Dolemite's boom mike pops into shots so much it might as well have gotten a supporting cast credit, Pootie Tang features possibly THE WORST narration in the history of film). Both also have quite a bit of social satire, plus additional humor derived from the sheer stupidity of the filmmaking.

Pootie Tang is, in itself, a bad idea for a movie. Who wants to watch 80 minutes of a character who speaks in gibberish? It's a joke that's funny for 3 minutes on the Chris Rock Show, but grows very old after an hour and a half (The audience I was with was hysterical...for ten minutes. Eventually half walked out). There are some jokes that work (I liked Pootie's new hit single, and also the tense climactic standoff between Pootie and Dirty) but a lot of other material doesn't (Cameos by Andy Ricter and David Cross are totally wasted). Plus the movie doesn't know if it's a movie, a movie clip, a friend retelling something, or what. It has a bad sense of pacing and flow (Using little Batman-esque cut scenes to break stuff up) and at least a dozen head-scratch-inducing moments.

For all of these reasons, the movie will be back. Mark my words. People a decade from now will watch this movie and laugh at its lame bits, and also the smart ones. For the average viewer, it's not worth seeing. For the devoted follower of movies that are bizarre, inexplicable, and just plain silly, it might be the best out-there movie of the year.

relatively funny, but got old quickly

[vectorvester1 · 3/10 · 12 January 2006]

The film started off pretty hilarious, but it got annoying over time constantly hearing pootie speak. Perhaps the creators thought that the same shtick run over and over would keep getting laughs, but I tend to think comedy needs variety and spontaneity. The PSA's done by Pootie were pretty funny I thought.

This film got a 3 because of the redundancy of the humour and the fact that it was shown too many times on cinemax last summer. It's a movie to see just to say you've seen it, but it will be forgotten over time for certain. It's in a league of quickly forgotten movies such as CB-4, They Live, and Brotherhood of Justice.

How did this get made? Awful

[akafilms · 1/10 · 16 January 2017]

This is my latest pick for worst film ever made. Congratulations to C.K. for convincing anyone to make this let alone letting him direct. Hollywood is in a sad state of confusion regarding what is funny or commercial. They have always been out of touch with minorities and this proves it. I just saw part of it and it is unwatchable. To think all these talented actors participated and embarrassed themselves with the worst acting possible. The director ultimately has to take the blame. I feel sorry for anyone who wasted $8 and 3 hours going to the movies to see this. It's a wonder that Louis CK has any career left as this would usually sink it. This gives hope to all the real filmmakers who can actually write and direct. This film gives me hope that I will succeed in creating a film worth watching, entertaining and meaningful. Even the outtakes during credits are boring.

Who says a silly one-joke movie can't be fun?

[cherold · 7/10 · 14 January 2005]

It's easy to pick out what people would object to in this movie. It really is little more than a sketch comedy bit extended to 80 minutes, it really only has one joke and it really is pure silliness. But I thought it was really funny. Some of it, like Pootie's defending himself with his braid, was even brilliantly silly. Having seen it three days ago, I have already forgotten virtually the entire movie, but I thoroughly enjoyed it at the time, and my girlfriend, who is less tolerant of pure silliness than I am, laughed throughout. It did run out of momentum a little as it went along, with a great first half hour followed by diminishing returns on that one joke, but there was enough fun through to keep us watching. 7/10

Not good.

[J-Train · 2/10 · 1 July 2001]

For the first five minutes of the movie, I was enjoying myself. The crime fighting of Pootie Tang was actually funny, something right out of Dolemite. As soon as that scene ended, though, the laughs came to a screeching halt. I can't really point to a single reason (or even a vague idea) as to why the movie wasn't funny. It simply wasn't. If the movie was only 5 minutes long, I would have enjoyed it. In my opinion, though, it was about an hour and 15 minutes too long.

One Of The Most Under-rated Films Of All Time!!!

[petecollins0409 · 10/10 · 9 July 2006]

Just to let the world know---if ya ain't seen Pootie Tang in it's full glory it's time to get your business in order!!! This movie is absolutely one of the funniest, most hilarious, idiotic masterpieces that I have had the opportunity to view. If ya like the kind of stuff ya can laugh at for no reason at all (except that it's funny) then you need to rent it, invite over your friends who are non-believers and do the doggone thing!!! A lot of my own friends here in the great city of Detroit have doubts about my precious Pootie but I am so going to erase all of their fears of letting loose-cause that's exactly what you do when you are all in like me. Chris Rock absolutely needs to do a sequel and I think it should be called,"POOTIE TANGING JR." Now how's that for devotion! Pootie--I love you and I always will!!

Somebody please tell Chris Rock that we NEED some mo' Pootie Tang in our lives!!!

Surprisingly funny comedy from the Chris Rock team.

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 1 July 2001]

I'm not saying that Pootie Tang will be for everyone, but for those interested, it is really a gas. Pootie Tang was originated on Chris Rock's HBO show with Crouther playing Tang as the new president elect Pootie Tang telling his campaign in lingo that almost no one could understand but it was still dead pan. Now, he has a movie.

Lance Crouther plays the title character in a short yet entertaining movie about a hero with a belt that helps him against the forces of evil, plus his gift of saying things that have no meaning whatsoever (like ebonics mixed with down syndrome, but it's funny). Chris Rock (in 3 equally hilarious roles), Robert Vaughn and Wanda Sykes also star in this movie with it's only damaging flaw being that after a while it runs out of steam. Worth a look. B+

Worst Kind of Garbage--just plain BAD!

[dewer-2 · 1/10 · 29 November 2001]

Ridiculous waste of time. No evidence of writing, acting, directing or editing talent. Could be in the "Plan 9 From Outer Space" category, except this isn't that good. Spare yourself--and your friends and family (after you watch this, you'll be a lesser person--it's a brain destroyer)

Underrated...

[rocconorth · 9/10 · 30 July 2021]

Like many have stated here...I'm surprised this movie's score is so low. I just think a lot of people don't get absurdist comedy. That being said, I would hazard a guess that the people who dislike this movie are the same people that hate the "Eric Andre Show" and vice versa. The guy who plays Pootie is fantastic and that's saying something in that he hardly says anything...anything intelligible anyway. The scene where everybody is going crazy to his song that is just well...nothing...is probably my favorite part. Anyway, if you haven't seen this flick check it out and bask in it's absurdist greatness.

This is a funny movie. Oh, and it's funny, too.

[JohnSeal · 7/10 · 15 December 2010]

Every once in a while a sublimely silly comedy comes along that I simply can't resist. In recent years there's been Let's Go to Prison and The Ringer (Father forgive me, for I have sinned and enjoyed a Johnny Knoxville movie), but in 2001 it was all about Pootie Tang. Lance Crouther headlines as the title character, an African-American ghetto folk hero who speaks in a unique and barely decipherable patois, whilst Chris Rock essays three roles, including that of Pootie's father, who bequeathes a special mojo-laden belt to his son. Years later, corporate boss Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn) determines to use the Tang family mojo by having our hero endorse products that, intentionally or otherwise, will poison the minds and bodies of African-American youth. When Pootie succumbs to temptation, his mojo is lost, and he becomes a pariah to his people - until he redeems himself and puts The Man in his proper place. Also featuring the wonderful Wanda Sykes as lady of the night and Greek chorus Biggie Shorty, Pootie Tang may be silly, but it isn't dumb.

And they thought "Plan 9 from Outer Space" was bad.....

[BenDecho · 1/10 · 19 March 2002]

Louis C.K is the African-American version of Ed Wood.

This movie was a waste of good film. And to think, they could have filmed Barney the purple dinosaur with this film; that's just how bad it is.

When I saw Chris Rock and Wanda Sykes was in this movie, I thought it would be funny, but even THEY don't do enough to make you crack a smile.

Luckily, this movie is only 70mins. long! But that is 71 mins. too long......