DVD REVIEW

Martin Lawrence Live: RunTelDat (2002)

Starring: Martin Lawrence
Director: David Raynr

Rating: R

Studio: Paramount

Review Posted: 1.16.03

Spoilers: None

By Dennis Landmann

RunTelDat failed on so many levels that it's hard to find a place to start discussing the problems. Perhaps I should confess that Martin Lawrence has lost his comic edge. I didn't see You So Crazy so I can't compare this feature with the actor's 1994 comic-concert film. Then again I don't think it's necessary.

Lawrence divides his one hundred minute act into about a dozen stories, including discussions about women, sex, etc. The actor also reflects on his personal life and recounts his troubles with the law and health. On the other hand, Lawrence goes a little off beat by providing  advice to the audience, which I thought he was qualified to to but not justified. In any case, RunTelDat seemed scattered and unfocused, even though Lawrence structured his act.

Overall, RunTelDat lacks material. There is not enough comical presence in Lawrence's performance or perhaps I just didn't understand the actor's jokes and references. I'm sorry, Martin, but I don't think I'll runteldat.

3 out of 10

Paramount usually does a good job of creating well-balanced picture quality. RunTelDat is not necessarily a film per se, which is why the picture itself does not resemble the look of "film." Nonetheless, this widescreen format is effective and gets the job done.

7 out of 10

RunTelDat is not audio driven. There are no special sound effects or anything that warrant THX quality. The soundfield mainly concentrated on the front speakers as Martin Lawrence howled away at the audience with his comical antics. Audio is loud and clear, but did not play an important factor as a whole.

7 out of 10

I didn't expect much in this department, but Paramount offers a few interesting extras here:

• Theatrical trailer(s)
• Commentary by director David Raynr, producer Michael Hubbard, and executive producer Robert Lawrence
• The Making of Runteldat featurette
• Deleted Scene

6 out of 10

RunTelDat is a lackluster and unfunny film. Martin Lawrence once had his share of comedy, but he's lost it for this film. Sorry, Martin, I don't think I'll runteldat.

Overall DVD Rating: 4 out of 10

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