KINGDOM COME (2001) Movie Reaction | First Time Watch | Jada Pinkett Smith, Vivica A. Fox, LL Cool J

The film opens with Jada Pinkett Smith's over-the-top character and a ridiculous car fight, leading the hosts to expect an 'outlandish comedy.' However, this serves as a deliberate misdirection, as the movie quickly shifts to a more dramatic and grounded tone, using the initial vibrancy to pull viewers in before slowing the pace.

The host states, 'It really pulls you in because she is this big over-the-top character. So, you're seeing her bring that energy and that whole kind of fight in the car is also a little bit more over the top and ridiculous compared to the rest of the movie... But really, it's just like drawing you in and then going, 'All right, cool. We're going to take the tone down a little bit.''

The hosts realize the film is based on a play, which explains its deliberate, slow pacing and limited number of locations, particularly the extensive time spent at the funeral home. This structural choice allows the audience to observe the family's interactions as a 'fly on the wall' rather than being deeply invested in every character's arc.

One host notes, 'I just remembered that this is based on a play, so this is making a lot more sense of like the few locations and like how much time we spent at the funeral home.' Another adds, 'It allowed it to breathe and you're really more of a fly on the wall watching these characters interact.'

The movie's comedy stems from awkward situations and dark humor, often maintaining believability despite the absurdity. A prime example is the scene where a cigarette falls into a character's beer, and he drinks it anyway, playing it off with a realistic, understated reaction that perfectly encapsulates the film's unique tone.

The host describes a scene: 'when the cigarette was dropped in his beer and he drank it... the way he played it was just like he styled it out. It was it was just like something wasn't quite right but he was just going to go with it anyway.' He concludes, 'That whole bit is kind of the perfect summation of what the tone of this is.'

The hosts discuss how different actors approached their roles: LL Cool J's character maintains a constant state of anger, Whoopi Goldberg's character is notably subdued and 'at peace,' and Anthony Anderson delivers a 'manic energy' that remains believable. Vivica A. Fox's performance is praised for its accessibility and subtle portrayal of internal struggle.

One host observes LL Cool J's 'two gears in this movie: enraged and almost enraged.' Another notes Whoopi Goldberg was 'very like subdued all the way through.' Anthony Anderson 'pushed it just enough. But I still bought him as a person.' Vivica A. Fox's character had 'more going on in the internal life of like struggling with, you know, not being able to have a kid.'