policy134 You can tell that this was probably heavily cut down, maybe even from script phase. It looks like Chris Rock really did want this movie to have some kind of message, but either he lost his nerve or he did not know what it should say.His alderman is made out to be a good guy who sincerely wants to help people. Why does he then turn 180, and becomes the guy who says everything that's wrong, but doesn't really provide any real solutions to the problems.There is also a very schizophrenic feel about the show. It looks like Chris Rock (who should be blamed, because he is the director too) thought he should make his "Dave" or "The American President", but he also wants to make his "wayne's World" too. The character of his ex, played extremely badly by Robin Givens, feels copied from that particular movie. It could have been funny but it feels simply out of place in this serio-comedy.And what is Tracy Morgan doing in this, other than turn people off. His character should have definitely be voted the most superfluous of the century.Anyway, the good moments are the scenes between Rock and Dylan Baker, because he can actually act and gives the character a lot more than it deserves. The scenes with Rock gives his first impromptu speech also delivers, but it is all for naught because he doesn't give any answer.

rnesto_87 White people acting like idiots as soon as Chris Rock throws on a little Nelly at a fundraiser, behaving like wiggers, having large glasses and so on.Black people acting like fools basically all the time, being stereotypical village idiots with no wits at all.stereotypes that really does not help to sooth racial tension in any way, quite the contrary actually.I gave it a three, if it wasn't for Bernie Mac I would have given it a one.Awful!

Sinnerman In this film, the Vice President, who's the front-runner candidate for office in a coming election, often dispenses with below campaign sound bite at whatever opportunity he gets: "I have been the Vice President for 8 years. I am a war veteran. And I'm the cousin of Sharon Stone. God bless America...and no place else." With lines like these, what's not to like about Head of State? Here's the premise of the film. Both the the Presidential and Vice Presidential candidate of a "losing" party died when their planes crashed into each other (don't ask). With the election just weeks away, the party decided to intentionally look for a "loser" replacement candidate; one who will lose at a pegged percentage (not too much, not too little), and yet is capable of winning some "leverage" points for the next round of election. And they found Chris Rock. Enough said. Pardon the cliché, but Head of State has to be seen to be believed. Hell, just its opening credits alone are LOL already. If you asked me, I would think this flick's mixed bag of humour (from no-holds barred low brow to smart insightful attacks on American electoral politics) worked only because it has been delivered the only way someone as comic-attuned as Chris Rock knew how. The business of making people laugh is a tough one. And IMO, Chris Rock is one of the best in the business. Can you imagine a fluffier, more convoluted Bulworth crossed with the crude but often logical sensibilities of South Park - The movie? If yes, proceed to imagine lines hurled at you that's as zingy as a Kevin Smith vehicle (both the good and the really bad ones) and blatant slapstick's as throwaway LOL as those Airplane/ Naked Gun movies? Ladies and germs, if you can imagine all that, congrats! Because that is Head of State for you, nutshell cracked wide open. But whether you will swallow the nuts or not (I always chew first, then swallow), will depend largely on your threshold and expectation already. We need not reminders that we all live in ludicrous times now, do we? So why not accord some of that time laughing at it all, relishing in the enjoyment of a film as ludicrously conceived as this one? Personally, I look upon Head of State as a brilliant political comedy. Its charm actually lies in its greater interest in comedy than politics. I am delighted to see this film juggle sly political wish fulfilment with the conscious play-it-up for laughs. Sometimes, strictly for laughs. So yes, I am won over and willingly lap this flick up. Make no mistake, Head of State is a hit and miss movie. But its hits far exceed its misses. In fact, its hit rate is almost comparable to (and arguably higher than) the raunch-assisted Scary Movie. Its (sporadic) intelligence however, far surpasses the entire Waymon Bros output combined. Hmm....its plain to see that the manic sinnerman love this movie. I have not been this entertained in very long time. Hence I shall willingly dispense you all this flick recommendation. If one pop this title into a player at any random night, I do think it will provide willing folks with an antidote release from the blues of a hellish school/work day prior. So people, go hunt for the Head of State now (pun unintended). My word is out. God bless America....and no place else!

caspian1978 Not only did Chris Rock star in this off beat comedy, but the popular comic helped write and directed the film. With some producing credits as well, Chris Rock had the responsibility of wearing 3-4 hats on this film. The end result, Head of State is worth watching at least once. Many critics consider this film a spawn from Eddie Murphy's The Distinguished Gentleman.Unlike Murphy's comedy, Head of State falls between reality and fiction. Murphy's movie was as funny if not more than Head of State, but, unlike Head of State, Murphy produced a realistic possibility. While Rock just wanted to make people laugh, he did not produce a great comedy that can be taken seriously. Still, worth a watch and nothing more.