Black Knight (PG-13, 2001)

common sense media says

Martin Lawrence amuses in raunchy comedy.


parents & educators say

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that this movie has very salty language for a PG-13, including a slightly obscured but very strong four-letter word. In addition to the violence mentioned above (mostly comic and bloodless, but with real injuries and deaths), there's a beheading. There are a number of sexual references and situations, including a discussion of "French" kissing, characters making sounds so that people nearby will think they are having sex, and a man who has sex with a woman because he thinks she is a different woman. Minority and female characters are smart and brave (though not always seen that way by others).

Violence: Sword and arrow battles (characters injured and killed), beheading, fist fights.
Sex: Sexual references and situations.
Language: Strong language for a PG-13.
Consumerism: Not applicable.
Drinking, drugs, & smoking: Not applicable.

More on Black Knight

What to talk about

Talk to your kids
Families can talk about why we're drawn to stories in which a character finds themselves in an entirely different time. What other films can you think of where this is the premise? If you created a similar story, what century would your character land in?

What's the story?

What's the story?
Inspired by Mark Twain's A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court, BLACK KNIGHT stars Martin Lawrence as Jamal, an employee of a run-down medieval theme park. After grabbing for a mysterious amulet while cleaning the moat, he falls into the water and comes up in a lake. It turns out that he's been transported back to 1328, and a usurper king mistakes him for a Moorish messenger. Jamal is astonished by the odd medieval world (They behead people! And they have awful bathrooms!), and the locals are equally astonished at his behavior. Jamal becomes interested in a pretty chambermaid who is a part of a conspiracy to bring back the real queen, and he's pursued by but the daughter of the usurper king.

Is it any good?

Is it any good?
 
Martin Lawrence is a very funny guy who is usually a lot better than the movies around him, which tend to play as though half the script reads, "Martin enters and does funny things." This time, the material comes a little closer to his talents.

Black Knight is a classic comedy set-up that could easily have starred any movie comedian skilled in pratfalls, from Buster Keaton to Jerry Lewis to Jim Carrey. There is a lot of slapstick, a little romance, fights with swords, arrows, and a couple with fists, and it all moves along pretty painlessly, helped by some good gags and Lawrence's facility with physical comedy.

Movie themes & details

Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
Director: Gil Junger
Cast: Marsha Thomason, Martin Lawrence, Tom Wilkinson
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 95 minutes
Theatrical release: November 21, 2001
DVD release: April 16, 2002
MPAA Rating: PG-13
MPAA explanation: language, sexual/crude humor and battle violence

This review was written by Nell Minow
 
 

Review It

 

Review Black Knight





Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.
 

Most useful reviews by all members

 
Funny Medieval mayhem in Martin Lawrence comedy
This was a fun, funny film that runs along the same lines as Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure. This was an impressive farce of the Middle Ages. Another good comparison would be the film Just Visting, only the setting is switched. Very enjoyable! Parents: There are some particularly graphic images of battle violence and executions, including decapitated heads. There's also non-graphic sex, partial nudity, and typical Martin Lawrence language (without the f-bombs). Bottom Line: Very fun to watch; you'll probably have a good time with this one! Thanks for reading! - Movie Man

nickref
kid, 13 years old
 
are you kidding me this movie could be for a 2nd graders party not a thirteen year old

KIdX13
teen, 16 years old
 
Fine for teens, very funny!!!!
This is a very funny movie! But, it dose have issues: 1. Medivel violnce, such as: fistfights, sword battles, arrow shooting, and an exacution, some of it bloody. 2. Some sexual content including implied sex, Sexual refrences and jokes, kissing, two people prentend to have sex by making moaning noises to fool the gaurds. 3. Strong language including, Da-n, a-s, sh-t, and one N word. So overall this is a funny movie for teens!

An independent voice for families
Age-appropriate reviews
 

vote now

Will you see Black Knight?


Already seen it? What do you think?

 

About our rating system
ON: Content is appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child, some content may not be right for some kids
OFF: Not age appropriate for kids this age