--- title: "Dave Chappelle's Block Party: the reviews" canonical: "https://film.one/film/dave-chappelles-block-party/reviews" title_page: "https://film.one/film/dave-chappelles-block-party" critics_score: 73 critics_reviews: 13 licence: "© Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL." --- # Dave Chappelle's Block Party (2005): what the critics said Critics' score 73 from 13 reviews: 11 positive, 1 mixed, 1 negative. Most critics like it, and for the same two reasons: Dave Chappelle and the music. The reviews describe a sunny, good-natured concert film in which Chappelle is less a star than a genial host, wandering Bed-Stuy handing out invitations and getting laughs from whoever he meets. The lineup of socially conscious hip-hop and R&B acts draws almost as much praise, with the Fugees reunion and an Ohio marching band singled out as the moments that carry the day’s spirit. The reservations fall on Michel Gondry’s direction. Several critics find the film loose to the point of disorganisation, and The Guardian and Slant Magazine both complain that his fast cutting interrupts performances just as they get going. The spread is otherwise narrow, with one outlier: the Evening Standard, reviewing years later, finds it noisy, adulatory and tuneless and objects to Chappelle himself. A couple of later pieces note that his subsequent career changes how the film reads. ## Los Angeles Times — Kenneth Turan Fi1m's normalised score 85/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2006. The musical lineup is formidable, but Chappelle's beguiling comic presence and ability to make people laugh at anything stands out as the film's biggest draw. The critic singles out Chappelle's generous, funny interactions with everyday people and the charming inclusion of an Ohio marching band for praise. [Read the review](https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2006-mar-03-et-dave3-story.html) ## Empire — Helen O'Hara Fi1m's normalised score 84/100 (inferred from the text). 26 June 2006. The critic finds this a lively and gleeful concert film that celebrates music and comedy through its structure, which interweaves performances with preparation and comedy segments. The music from a generation of socially conscious hip-hop artists is highlighted as particularly exciting. [Read the review](https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/dave-chappelle-block-party-review/) ## The AV Club — Nathan Rabin Rating B+. 28 February 2006. The critic finds the film a charming musical-concert documentary full of joy and wonder that unites Chappelle and director Gondry. It highlights the infectious sense of bliss in the performances and interactions, though some tension among the artists surfaces memorably. [Read the review](https://www.avclub.com/dave-chappelles-block-party-1798201552) ## The Guardian Rating 4/5. 17 June 2006. The film succeeds as a celebration of hip hop's potential and a reminder of its roots, with Chappelle in fine form handing out invitations and the artists delivering thoughtful content. Gondry's fast-cutting style sometimes disrupts the music footage, though the marching band moment stands out. [Read the review](https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/jun/18/36) ## The New York Times — Manohla Dargis Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 3 March 2006. The film is an exhilarating release-week portrait of Chappelle hosting a free block party concert in Bed-Stuy with a strong hip-hop and R&B lineup. The critic highlights how the movie feels like Chappelle's own, capturing his ebullient yet weary demeanor amid preparations and performances including a Fugees reunion. [Read the review](https://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/03/movies/a-comedians-ultimate-goal-rock-the-block.html) ## The Times — Victoria Segal Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 23 June 2006. Gondry’s energetic concert film is a sunny experience powered by the crowd's approval, the music's uplift, and Chappelle’s charisma as he assembles socially conscious hip-hop acts for a Brooklyn street party. Subsequent events around Chappelle cast the film in a different light. [Read the review](https://www.thetimes.com/culture/tv-radio/article/hip-off-the-old-block-mg5svr0c77p) ## Time Out — Dave Calhoun Fi1m's normalised score 78/100 (inferred from the text). 27 June 2006. The film is a spirited chronicle of a day-long hip hop event organized by Dave Chappelle on a Brooklyn street corner. Gondry focuses on Chappelle’s energy, behind-the-scenes moments and the impressive lineup of artists, with the music ultimately winning out. [Read the review](https://www.timeout.com/movies/dave-chappelles-block-party-1) ## RogerEbert.com — Roger Ebert Rating 3/4. 2 March 2006. The film is a fairly disorganized documentary about a disorganized concert, redeemed by its good feeling and Chappelle's sunny presence throughout. The critic praises the accessible, positive vibe of the featured musicians and Chappelle's effort to remain grounded despite his big contract. [Read the review](https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/dave-chappelles-block-party-2006) ## Variety Fi1m's normalised score 75/100 (inferred from the text). 27 February 2006. The enjoyable performance doc has a heady spirit of spontaneity and a formidable lineup of hip-hop and R&B artists that should attract appreciative audiences. The critic notes Chappelle is more genial host than star but praises his contagious exuberance and the strong music captured by Gondry. [Read the review](https://variety.com/2006/film/markets-festivals/dave-chappelle-s-block-party-1200518029/) ## Slant Magazine — Nick Schager Fi1m's normalised score 60/100 (inferred from the text). 16 February 2006. The review calls the film an easygoing but only partially satisfying document of the concert that mixes vibrant live sets with man-on-the-street footage. It praises the climactic Fugees reunion for embodying the event's spirit of unity while criticizing the director's slackness in interrupting performances. [Read the review](https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/dave-chappelles-block-party/) ## Evening Standard — Chris Tookey Fi1m's normalised score 10/100 (inferred from the text). 10 April 2012. The critic calls the film noisy, adulatory and disorganised, criticising Chappelle's self-congratulatory persona and lack of talent along with the repetitive and tuneless rap performances. It is recommended only to fans of the featured artists. [Read the review](https://www.standard.co.uk/culture/film/nothing-to-rave-about-7387487.html) ## Eye for Film — Paul Griffiths Fi1m's normalised score 84/100 (inferred from the text). 29 June 2006. The critic finds the film thoroughly entertaining thanks to its killer music, local insights, and Chappelle's sharp social satire. They single out the unscriptable live moments and strong concert footage for praise while noting it serves as both entertainment and a valuable document of the event. [Read the review](https://www.eyeforfilm.co.uk/review/dave-chappelles-block-party-film-review-by-paul-griffiths) ## The Ringer Fi1m's normalised score 80/100 (inferred from the text). 4 March 2021. The piece presents the film as an iconic time capsule of Chappelle at a pivotal career moment, capturing his charm and the power of live music to unite people. It singles out the integration of concert performances with everyday vignettes and Gondry's direction for praise. [Read the review](https://www.theringer.com/2021/03/04/movies/dave-chappelle-block-party-making-of-history-anniversary) --- © Fi1m Ltd. Written by AI under a human editor; checked against sources before publication. Quote with attribution and a link to the canonical URL. Our review: https://film.one/film/dave-chappelles-block-party.md