THE BLACK KNIGHT

US, 2001, 103 minutes, Colour.
Martin Lawrence, Tom Wilkinson, Marsha Thomason, Vincent Regan, Kevin Conway.
Directed by Gil Junger.

Martin Lawrence is one a group of black American stand-up comedians who have travelled to the big screen via television. With Will Smith he is one of the screen's Bad Boys. He teamed up with Eddie Murphy in Life but generally performs in star vehicles for himself like Blue Streak and Big Mama's House. This time he is an obnoxious, self-absorbed worker in a theme part who magically finds himself transported, like a Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's court, into medieval merriment and mayhem in the court of the dastardly King Leo. Mistaken for a messenger to announce a pending wedding, he gets caught up with a revolution with a feminist bent.

It is all nonsense, of course, but will appeal to Lawrence's fans and to those who like an amiably undemanding time passer. The biggest surprise is Tom Wilkinson turning up, heavily bearded, as the shambling Sir Knolte who, with his attendant knights, go through a Jackie Chan like course of martial arts which win the revolution. And, of course, Lawrence returns to the present as a humble hero. It happens in the movies.

1. An entertaining comedy, vehicle for Martin Lawrence, his screen presence, comic style?

2. The variation on the Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court? The lack man from East Los Angeles in England in the 14th century? The contrast of styles, cultures? The opportunity for comedy?

3. The Los Angeles setting, the theme park? The contrast with England, the village, the castle, its exteriors and interiors? The musical score and atmosphere? The songs - and the 20th century songs given their 14th century version?

4. The focus on Jamal, the opening credits, the mirror, his narcissism? Concentration on appearance? Going to work, his relationship with the boss? Her disappointment in him? His urging her to take the money and run? The threat of the new theme park? With his friends? Looking into the moat after cleaning it, seeing the chain? Reaching for it and going into the moat, emerging in the 14th century, drenched?

5. The initial encounter with Knolte, Jamal thinking that he was a street drifter? Knolte drunk, and collapsing, Jamal saving his life? Knolte and his sense of debt? Knolte later in the film saving Jamal's life, reforming, joining in the rebellion, training with Jamal, fighting with him, finally saving his life against Percival?

6. Jamal not realising that he was in the 14th century? Gradually dawning on him where he was? The black man in 14th century England and their referring to him as the Moor? His reaction to this? His Victoria and attraction towards her? Her explaining the takeover by the king, the rebellion? His being mistaken for the emissary from Normandy (coming from Normandy Street)? His ability to improvise and survive the initial interrogations, make an impression on the king and the court? The banquet, his getting everybody to dance? The black horse, his explaining that he was both messenger and jester? His beginning to enjoy life in the Middle Ages? Victoria being sent to him, her explaining about the rebellion, their pretending to make the sounds of lovemaking? The guards outside? Jamal going back to the bed, thinking it was Victoria, the irony that it was the Princess Regina?

7. The mediaeval settings, the re-creation of the period, the village and the people going about their ordinary work, the court, the pomp and circumstance, the announcer of all that was going on in the court (and his friendship with Jamal and finally dressing like him)? The banquet and the manners, Jamal's reaction, the tour of the castle and his shock at the toilet? The rebellion situation and its dangers?

8. The king, the usurper, impatient, wanting to marry his daughter off? Attracted by Jamal? Fostering his advancement in the court? The princess, sex-hungry? The arrival of the real ambassador, the denunciation of Jamal, the problem with the marrying of the princess?

9. The execution and Jamal with the head, realising that this was true? His own imprisonment in the cage, the other rebels blaming him for saving the king's life when they made their attempt, saying that his plan was better in thwarting the marriage with Normandy and opening the way to rebellion? Their getting out of the prison, going to execution? The humour of the executioner choking, Jamal's quick thinking and pretending that he was a sorcerer, getting the piece of food dislodged and the people in awe of him?

10. Victoria and the rebels, his attraction to Victoria, her modern ideas of the role of women? The queen and people's loyalty to her? Her arrival, Knolte's coming and the people out in the village and camp preparing for the rebellion? Percival's men slaughtering those in the village?

11. Percival, the evil knight, his plans for the kingdom, relationship with the king, exasperation with Jamal? The build-up to the confrontation?

12. The legend of the Black Knight, seeing it in the market square as an entertainment for the children? Jamal turning the gold into black, riding the horse, people afraid when he arrived? His falling off the horse - and people realising that it was just himself?

13. The rebels, the training, Jamal using football, basketball and wrestling techniques for training? His illustrating them in his fight against the three who were taunting Knolte? Knolte and the training, the troops? The build-up to the attack, their being trapped in the courtyard by Percival? The Black Knight? The use of the American sports tactics? The confrontation and fight between Percival and Jamal, the wounded Knolte saving him?

14. The queen, her speech and exclamations about England? The contrast with Jamal and his being able to rouse the crowds?

15. Restoration of the kingdom, Victoria staying in the Middle Ages, the farewell, and Jamal coming to in the 20th century? His dream? The work in the theme park, his supporting the boss, his being kind and considerate and no more materialistic and narcissistic? Helping the boy with the baseball, seeing his mother, meeting Victoria as Nicky? His being knocked out again - and finishing up in the Colosseum in Roma?