Wick's Review

Summary - Barely OK 2.0

Mighty disappointing. Denzel and a cast of Americans fail to capture the spirit of Jamaica in this witless romp. Even the upbeat Jamaican music – always a treat – can’t save this awkward star vehicle from its contrived runnings. Roger Ebert gave The Mighty Quinn four stars! What was he smoking?

Thank Jah Rastafari for the music though, which ends up being the movie’s only saving grace. A couple Wailers’ songs along with a reggae version of The Mighty Quinn liven up the proceedings. Also, Denzel acquits himself well singing and playing piano on an upbeat blues number.

Acting - Barely OK 2.0

The great Denzel Washington laid an egg here. Affecting a John Wayne walk and a Jamaican patois, his performance comes across as more affectation than inhabitation.

Also disappointing is Robert Townsend as the free spirit who Denzel’s Chief of Police must apprehend. Townsend’s a funny and appealing guy in the right setting, but he’s not nearly enough of a movie star to pull off a role like this, especially when he has to play Jamaican to boot.

Film - Barely OK 2.0

Director Carl Schenkel was mostly a TV guy, perhaps explaining the episodic nature of this film.

Edge - Risqué 1.6

Overly mild, with nary a whiff of ganja in the entire runnings. How dey do dat?

Reality - Glib 1.6

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