House Party (1990)

my favorite movie

the movie was in really good condition looked brand new and play's like it's brand new. i love this movie and i was really excited to find it at such a low cost. October 16, 2008

One of the funniest urban comedies ever made

House Party is sort of like a urban take on Risky Business in the sense that boy has party when parents go out of town for the weekend but the comparison end there. Kid and Play make one of the first hip hop films of the nineties which had a plot. Many young black comedic actors got their start in this film like Martin Lawerence and AJ Johnson. But the true comedic talent in the film is the late Robin Harris. The world only knows what Harris could have done. The script is smart and the direction by Regiland Hudlin is good. September 14, 2008

Great Hip Hop classic

When you check many hip hop heads' movie collection, you might NOT see this movie. The reason why is because they usually have the movie memorized word for word and don't need it to enjoy the classic memories.

House Party is the first of 4 of 5 sequels. The reason why, is because this movie was so much fun to watch. Most people from that time (1990, New Jack Swing era) share the same experiences: the dancing, the quarrels with bullies, the sneaking out of the house, and lastly, the whoopings.

The toughest part of this movie, for new viewers, is the extreme campiness of the film. Fun fact: Fresh Prince and Jazzy Jeff were supposed to play Kid'n'Play, so that explains a lot. Also, the movie has horrible acting, and cheesy dialog.

However, the soundtrack is great and the scenes can be funny.

Overall, the cult classic is a must have for all movie collectors.
September 6, 2007

Good old fashion Hip-hop comedy

I had seen the film when it first debuted back in 1990, and enjoyed it quite a bit, but looking back today, it's hard for me to divorce myself from a certain nostalgia for the look, sound and feel of the urban scene of 1990, when I was as deep into the music as I would ever be. Although this movie doesn't really feature artists on the cutting edge of hip hop of the day, and Kid N Play would come to be known more for their appearance in the House Party movies than anything they ever did as recording artists, there is still a beauty in the way the dialogue is presented and in the fashion of the young African-American teenagers that keeps it interesting for those that embrace such things.

Obviously, at the center of the film is a house party, where the high school clique gets together for some fun, dancing, a little drinking, and a little romance. The gist of the story is that Kid (Reid), a hyperactive high schooler with an enormous high-top fade hair style, is grounded for misdeeds in school, but he still manages a way to sneak out and join the fun. Some of the emphasis is on the romantic connections that will form between two of the girls there, Sidney (Campbell, Little Shop of Horrors) and Charane (Johnson, Dying Young), which Kid (Martin) and his best friend, Play, seem to be vying for. Meanwhile, the high school bullies (Full Force) that got Kid in trouble to begin with are on the prowl for him, while everyone must overcome overzealous cops, whiny neighbors, and maintaining a rep among the peers.

Although it was a modest hit when it was released, the enduring legacy of House Party is that it would eventually set the trend for nearly every party film that would come after it (Can't Hardly Wait is one prime example). It is also refreshing because it plays to its intended audience, but never speaks down to it, nor does it exclude people that aren't part of the scene it portrays from enjoying it. Unlike many other films which featured African-American casts of the time, it doesn't beat you over the head with forced positive messages, and conversely, it is mostly devoid of gangster drama, drugs, or serious crime that usually rear their ugly heads whenever an all-Black cast emerges ina Hollywood film. While there is some very subtle commentary on the nature of police suspicion of Blacks, safe sex, and drinking, they never veer into contrived melodrama, and in fact, they add a good deal of humor to the proceedings without seeming anything like a public service announcement. Other than that, it's a great movie to add on into your collection.
February 21, 2007

This film stands the test of time!

I am not ashamed to admit that I was 26 years old when this movie first came out...and I loved it! I still love this movie...especially knowing that many of the actors were my age when they were filming!

My sons, now in high school also love this movie. The music and the moves, but they do have fun making jokes about the clothes. It was a movie that really tapped into young African-American's and their high school, hip hop world. The Hudlin's were indeed influrenced by Cooley High, but so what! That was a great influence. I also love the messages that are placed in the movie without beating you over the head. Safe sex, no drinking, being there for your friends...even if it means leaving them on their porch while you take their dj equipment.

Frankly I can't imagine Will Smith and Jazzy Jeff in this movie. By using Kid n Play, everybody in the movie WERE friends! This made it believable.

My son's favorite show of "good friends" are the "fellas" taking Groove home because he he was drunk, propped him against the front door, ring the doorbell, cut and RUN!!!!

So, find those leather medalions, bicycle shorts and work on your high top fade, this is a must see movie. March 13, 2006

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