‘Top Five’ overcomes bumps

By Colin Covert

Star Tribune (Minneapolis)

Raunchy in the extreme, often funny and at times touching, “Top Five” is Chris Rock’s sincere attempt to craft a film career largely detached from his stand-up clowning.

Sending up his own old calling, he plays Andre, a celebrity comedian who made fame and fortune with a series of “Hammy the Bear” movies, lumbering in a full body bear suit. When he walks the streets of New York, the greeting is never “Hi, Andre”; it’s always “Hey, Hammy!”

He hopes to move on by specializing in protest-themed serious drama. After all, he’s a lot less silly after four years of sobriety, he’s about to marry reality TV star Erica (Gabrielle Union) and he’s just released “Uprize!,” a movie in which he stars as a leader of a Haitian slave rebellion.

Unfortunately, his new film looks like an absurd parody of “12 Years a Slave,” sinking his career while the new Tyler Perry film draws block-long lines. His fiance only kisses him on camera to boost her ratings. He’s feeling very thirsty for something stronger than water lately.

Approached by Chelsea (Rosario Dawson), a newspaper journalist preparing a profile piece, he shares memories of his early career while leading her through the demanding routine of his present life. He recalls the pompous comedy producer (Cedric the Entertainer) who packed his hotel room with a couple of sensual “angels” who proved to be less than cherubic. They visit sharp-tempered relatives and old friends at the Brooklyn housing project where he grew up, with lively bits from Leslie Jones and Tracy Morgan.

The film is a jumble, bouncing from scene to scene with sharp cameos from DMX, Kevin Hart, Jerry Seinfeld, Rock’s frequent co-star Adam Sandler and others who don’t really advance the plot. The only consistent theme is Rock’s natural likability, which helps him humanize his character.

As director, writer and star he still works more like an earnest beginner than a pro. Yet as performer and filmmaker he’s clever, enjoyable company in almost every passage.