LL Cool J & Jada Pinkett Smith Film Turns 25, and Rewatching Proves Critics Were Wrong

It was 2001, and a lot was going on to kick off the first part of the year. Wikipedia was officially launched, Alicia Keys debuted on the music scene with her hit “Fallin,” and after a contentious election that the Supreme Court settled, George W. Bush was sworn into office. Fast forward to April 11, 2001, and an underrated comedy starring LL Cool J, Jada Pinkett Smith, Whoopi Goldberg, Anthony Anderson, and Cedric the Entertainer hit theaters that critics, by and large, panned. 

The movie in question followed a family coming together to bury their beloved, yet prickly, patriarch. While the topic sounds like a somber occasion, the film is actually full of funny moments, thanks in no small part to the fact that bona fide comedians, Anderson, Goldberg, and Cedric the Entertainer were on set. Not to mention, longtime Hollywood vet Loretta Devine was also on board to add her usual flair. That being said, it’s hard to understand why critics essentially crowned the movie a dud, despite moviegoers propelling it to earn three times what it cost to make. 

‘Kingdom Come’ Turns 25 Years Old 

Kingdom Come again hit theaters on April 11, and it followed the story of a family coming together for a funeral. Whoopi Goldberg portrayed the widow and matriarch of the clan, Raynelle Slocumb, and served as referee as her sons, Ray Bud (LL Cool J) and Junior (Anderson), butted heads. Junior also found himself butting heads with his attention-grabbing wife, Charisse (Pinkett Smith), as she discovered his infidelity and wanted everyone to know of the indiscretion. Cedric the Entertainer’s Reverend Hooker wasn’t at odds with anyone, but the character certainly provided enough laughs to be noticed. 

Additionally, the cast was rounded out by other legends, not yet mentioned. This includes Vivica Fox, Grammy-winner Toni Braxton, and Darius McCray. Here’s a trailer for the movie. 

Critics Didn’t Like It, but I Say ‘Kingdom Come’ Is a Solid Comedy

Looking at Rotten Tomatoes, Kingdom Come received a very chilly reception from critics. As of publication, it has a score of only 26%. Heck, upon its release, Entertainment Weekly stated, “The structure and style are a staple of many traveling black stage shows ... What slays them in the second balcony, though, flattens on the screen.”

Despite the biting critique, I think the movie is funny. It may not be high-brow comedy, but the storyline is solid, most of the jokes land, and with many good movies, I can easily pull memorable quotes. Now I will say, despite there being stand-up comedians in Kingdom Come, the breakout star who offers the most laughs is Devine. Take a look at a short reel of some of her memorable moments below. Oh, and by the way, Kingdom Come had a budget of $7,000,000 and grossed over $23 million worldwide. So, that sounds like a box office success to me. 

https://youtube.com/shorts/pQfIPqVVZEQ?si=SELTFlRvmeBeDwXh

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