Charlie Sheen Movie:

Editorial Review:
This formulaic 1997 comedy becomes needlessly complicated at points but feeds off the high energy of Chris Tucker (The Fifth Element, Rush Hour). Tucker plays a two-bit con man, Franklin Hatchett, framed for the prison breakout of a ruthless criminal. Hunted by both the police and the bad guys, Hatchett finds his only hope in a smarmy, self-serving television reporter played by the perfectly cast Charlie Sheen (Platoon), who agrees to protect the nervous, hapless patsy only to further his own career. The plot is at times just plain dumb, and the requisite car chases and explosions happen a bit too frequently. But Tucker's manic energy and off-the-wall humor, as he is thrown into situations of mistaken identity and mortal danger, make the movie a frenetic and entertaining romp. --Robert Lane

Money Talks [Region 2] Reviews:
Chris Tucker at his best!
2008-07-25 - I've seen a lot of movies, but not one as hilarious as money talks. It's seriously unbelievable how funny chris tucker is. Franklin Hatchett is the perfect role for him. I could go on and on! I'm gonna go watch it right now actually. BEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME! If you've never seen it, I feel bad for you because you're missing out on an unbelievable experience.

Great DVD
2008-01-18 - Received the Money Talks DVD in new condition still in the shrink wrap. It is hilarious and we have watched it many times. Great seller and would do business with them again.

[3.5]--"You're phat. P-H-A-T. Pretty Hot And Tempting."
2007-05-22 - Enjoyment of "Money Talks'' depends mainly on how funny one finds Chris Tucker. All the other elements -- story, production values, and performances -- are secondary. "Money Talks'' is what they used to call a star vehicle. It's a showcase to introduce an alleged comic talent and see if the public goes for him. I wouldn't quit laughing at Tucker's jokes and comedic overtones, and after viewing the film, Money Talks is more of a modernization of "48 Hrs."

Franklin Hatchett (Tucker) is the small-time hustler and con artist, going to prison after being set up by ace TV reporter James Russell (Sheen) in a ticket scalping scam. On the way to the pen, Franklin inadvertently becomes involved in a jail break orchestrated by the evil Villard (Gerard Ismael) and his personal army. One problem: the cops think Franklin is behind the whole scheme. Not knowing whom to turn to, Franklin gives James a call. The two make a deal: James will hide and protect Franklin for a weekend in exchange for an exclusive when Franklin turns himself in. There are a few complications, however. First, Villard wants Franklin dead. Second, James has just been fired from his TV job after being described by his boss (David Warner) as "another walking headshot" from the "John Tesh school of journalism." Third, this weekend, James is scheduled to marry Grace (Heather Locklear), the beautiful daughter of the very wealthy Guy Cipriani (Paul Sorvino).

One of the best thing that can be said about "Money Talks" is that director Brett Ratner obviously knows that he is reworking a over familiar formula, and he desperately tries to keep things moving. There are lots of classic Lalo Schifrin chase music, and plenty of shoot outs and exploding helicopters and of course the absurd secondary characters.

Paul Sorvino in particular provides a few genuinely funny moments as a dull-witted Italian heavy who gets conned by Chris Tucker. The movie is slickly paced and does work for Chris Tucker. But although he babbles so furiously that he inevitably scores a few laughs here and there, his hit/miss ratio is atrocious. And Charlie Sheen is predictably lifeless and wooden in some areas but slightly convincing in others. This film would later land Chris Tucker in another hit, "Rush Hour", since his comedic lines with a tirade of profanity would make Eddie Murphy and Richard Pryor legends. Must see for sure especially on those lazy weekend.


Good, at least when it's not being racist
2007-05-14 - The action story in this picture works, mainly because of the two talented leading performers. And the movie as a whole is kind of good, but not something I could subject to multiple viewings by any means. It kind of reminds me of 1983's "Trading Places" in that they have the following in common: the African American lead is depicted as a hustler while the Caucasian lead is depicted as a rich male, or soon-to-be-rich male in this case; the African American lead is getting arrested and incarcerated just for being in the wrong place at the wrong time; the presence of Paul Gleason; the Caucasian lead seems to be engaged, and finally, at some point, they wind up as friends.

The only thing I didn't like was the scene in the beginning where the Italian thug says something about not liking "brothers," which I guess is supposed to be a synonym for African American males. Had this character wind up getting killed at the hands of that which he hated, that is, an African American male, like say for instance, the character with the bazooka, or his bodyguard, then this would be dangerously close to having at least four-star status. By "dangerously close," I mean that there are a couple of other things: the presentation of a female's rear in one of the later scenes (totally unnecessary) and then we have another Italian character (think his name was Guy), who upon discovering that Franklin was not Vic DaMone Jr. like he said he was makes some racially spiteful remarks as well.

Okay, now for the good news: other than everything about which I spoke in paragraph #2, this film definitely has its ups outweighing the downs, so to speak. You get to listen to Barry White songs, or least Franklin singing them with the radio. The scene in the market where the French jewel thieves are searching for Franklin and James was kind of fun as well as the scene where Paula meets Franklin in the restaurant where he shows her the diamonds. Then, finally, we have Raymond and Debray getting their comeuppance in two big ways.


"It's like a G-Dog on a Fly Tip."
2006-03-18 - Take a out of work journalist, Charlie Sheen, a hustler of the streets, Chris Tucker, and 15 million dollars in diamonds and what do you got?

A High-flying Buddy comedy that has the funniest momenst that you could hope for.

This Miss-matched pair play back and forth with the quips, the hits, and the high-wire trips. Chris Tucker plays a hustler looking for the next scam but gets in trouble with the mob. Not only that but his life is falling down the tubes with him going to jail. In an escape attempt he is paired up with a french criminal that has a scam of his own. A scam involving 15 million in diamonds.

Now, along with his buddy, The two will fight, chase, quip, and search to find the truth and clear their names.

Final Verdict: Money Talks . . .and they got the walk down just to prove it.

Enjoy!