Ice Cube and Tracy Morgan are two thieves who haven't got a prayer in First Sunday, a sinfully, funny comedy co-starring Katt Williams and Chi McBride. Sentenced to 5,000 hours of community service, Durell Jefferson's (Cube) life quickly goes from bad to worse. Realizing that the Lord helps those who help themselves, he eventually decides to help himself to the neighborhood church's building fund. Accompanied by his dimwitted partner-in-crime LeeJohn (Morgan), the two down-on-their-luck men are dismayed to discover the cash has already been stolen, so they hold the congregation hostage in a Hail Mary attempt to learn who amongst the righteous has already run away with their loot! Also starring Tiffany New York Pollard, Rickey Smiley, Loretta Devine and Malinda Williams.
Ice Cube continues his winning streak as a likeable everyman in family movies with First Sunday, an initially silly, disposable comedy that picks up emotional power and authenticity by the second act. Cube plays ne'er-do-well Durell, an out-of-work Baltimore dad who needs over $17,000 to keep his ex from taking their son with her to Atlanta for good. Desperate to raise the cash but hamstrung by his self-defeating attitude and the criminal antics of his goofy sidekick, LeeJohn (Tracy Morgan), Durell gives in to temptation and decides he and LeeJohn should rob a church. The crime goes badly when it turns out a number of parishioners are in the building at the time, and a hostage situation develops. Events take a twist when the would-be thieves become the beneficiaries of Christian charity and forgiveness from the men and women they've kidnapped, and a bigger criminal is revealed in the congregation's mix. A terrific supporting cast including Michael Beach, Chi McBride, Keith David, Malinda Williams, Loretta Devine, and Katt Williams bring strong humor and dignity to the film's latter half, compensating for some unpleasant missteps (a pointless scene at a massage parlor) earlier in the story. Writer-director David E. Talbert is especially sharp during a spirited, gospel performance scene, which simply crackles on screen. --Tom Keogh
Customer Reviews:
Avg. Customer Rating: 3.5 / 5.0
Worst Movie of '08!!! Don't Bother!!!:
I just bought this movie yesterday with high expectations from the cast that was in it and the commercials looked very funny as well. Unfortunately I did not bother to go online and look at reviews and rather went on a hit and miss and bought it. From the first 5 minutes I knew I had wasted my money and was wasting my time watching this train wreck of a movie. Tracy Morgan and Katt Williams are some of the funniest comedians out there and Ice Cube showed off his comedic acting with the excellent Friday. The... more info
Nothing special... a big dissapointment:
When I rented this movie, I was expecting a hillarious comedy like the Friday triology was. Insted all you get, is a cheesy "familly" drama with very very few funny moments. Tracy Morgan's character wasn't funny enough, and Katt Williams' talents were wasted over a character who didn't have any funny lines at all. Ice Cube plays the exactly same part he plays in all of his movies... It's a deccent drama, but definitely not a comedy. A huge dissapointment, and that's why the movie failed worldwide.
A fun little comedy starring Ice Cube on Blu-Ray Disc!!!:
This is fun little movie starring Ice Cube,Tracy Morgan,and Chi McBride!!! And it's great on Blu-Ray with great picture,sound and nice extras!!! I actually got the Blu Ray brand spanking new cheaper than the standard DVD edition,that was awesome!!! A good family film (But not for young kids,though) will a great cast!!! A great comedy!!! A+
Glad I purchased:
This movie was hilarious. I watched it on my DVD player while at the Beauty Shop underneath the dryer and laughed so much that people were inquiring as to what I was watching. Normally I have problems with purchasing DVDs on Amazon because sellers are not as truthful about the condition of DVDs as they should be, some even have rewrapped them in shrink wrap to deceive, and they are full of scratches when opened, but this one played flawlessly and was a riot. I was never a fan of Kat Williams until this... more info
