The very concept of Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ represents almost everything that is wrong with Hollywood today as far as I’m concerned. And it looks like the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ reviews are backing me up on this one.
Everyone who has read this site for any period of time knows what I think of Rappers / Singers / Athletes getting big roles in films when they have no acting experience…. I HATE it.
So here comes 50 Cent trying to play movie star. Give me a break. Well, the Get Rich Or Die Tryin’ reviews are rolling in now, and they don’t surprise me at all. Currently it’s holding a 19% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and I suspect that number will continue to go down. Here’s what some of the critics had to say:
“50 spends the film with one look on his face, and it’s the look that you imagine a caveman would have when confronted with a cellphone.”
Devin Faraci, CHUD“Think of it as Mariah Carey’s Glitter, only with more murders.”
Pete Vonder Haar, FILM THREAT“Get Rich or Die Tryin’ will always be known as the 50 Cent movie. Not because of who stars in the film, but because that’s how much it’s worth.”
Phil Villarreal, ARIZONA DAILY STAR“A reiteration of the now-clichéd hip-hop rise-to-fame legend that duplicates the crime-to-rhyme formula of Hustle & Flow.”
Nicholas Schager, SLANT MAGAZINE
Hello? Is anyone surprised here? Not me. Actually, I’m a little surprised it’s not ranked even lower. It’s like that one MTV article said a few weeks ago: “When non-actors act we all suffer”. Well if you’re planning on seeing this film, get ready to suffer.
LOL a BLACK caveman? Now that’s funny!
Of course Em was good in 8 Mile. How can you screw up playing YOURSELF?
“Think of it as Mariah Carey’s Glitter, only with more murders.”
Pete Vonder Haar, FILM THREAT
OMG… Classic. I heart Pete Vonder Haar now.
PS: Eminem is NOT an actor. He’s a rapper who happens to be able to emote and utter clear lines of dialogue. There is a huge difference. I liked 8 Mile a lot, and my first review of that movie (I think I deleted it awhile ago) mentioned how nervous you could tell Mathers was in front of the camera. But, I will say this about him: he’s not anymore afraid to be vulnerable in front of the camera as he is to take good direction. I haven’t seen Fiddy acting, but I can lay dollars on doughnuts that he’s stiffer than a board and it’s annoying to constantly decipher everything he utters because that’s how I feel when one of his interview clips make it to my TV screen. It’s painful. Very much like root canal, says the husband, and he actually likes Fiddy. Ugh, I say!
haha gotta love those reviews.
It is a few points higher than Derailed. The Clive and Jen movie. It looks like that one is going to tank also.
I don’t listen to rap or watch movies about rap. So this one I have no comment on.
Donna A.
Is no one even remotely interested in the fact that Jim Sheridan directed Get Rich Or Die Tryin’?
I’m not one that is drawn to movies by star power but rather story and the director, and although it seems like 50 Cent starring in a film may be a ploy to use his celebrity to drive the product, I can’t help but be suprised by how the ‘haters’ of this film seem to have completely overlooked the fact that this is a Jim Sheridan film. I would think Jim Sheridan helming a 50 Cent film is more shocking then Peter Jackson exec. producing Halo, but I guess people are so wrapped up in 50 Cent that they are completely overlooking the fact that this is a film from a great filmmaker. Whether it’s good or not, i’m not sure, but it’s at least worth mentioning.
Yeah, but Eminem could act.
Roger and Reoper gave this movie two thumbs up.
Although I never seen this movie nor I’m a big 50 cent fan but I’m willin to give this movie the benefit of the doubt. After all, 50 cent is bascially playing himself in the movie and whos better to play a rapper and a drug dealer than someone who has experience this.
When 8 Mile came out, everybody thought its going to suck because Eminiem was in it but it actualy was a good movie.
Thanks for this John. I totally share your hatefull thoughts on skillfull (or not, ouch) singers playing in movies. I hate it as much as Doug (and me too) hates when children ruin action movies. It is good though, it makes you appreciate more the good movies and recognize the level of stupidity and how “the right connections” help skilless people in real life.
However, I will probably watch it at some point just because I believe it has a fair chance to become my worst (or most ridiculous) movie ever.
Cheers, Stam.