Blankman (1994)

13% of critics liked it
(15 reviews)
32% of users liked it
(28,437 ratings)

Are you ready for a new kind of superhero -- a thirty-something virgin in long underwear? Darryl Walker (Damon Wayans) is a bright but socially inept man with a gift for inventing things but little skill for functioning in the real world. His brother Kevin (David Alan Grier) works on a low-class… More Are you ready for a new kind of superhero -- a thirty-something virgin in long underwear? Darryl Walker (Damon Wayans) is a bright but socially inept man with a gift for inventing things but little skill for functioning in the real world. His brother Kevin (David Alan Grier) works on a low-class tabloid news show featuring beautiful anchorwoman Kimberley Jonz (Robin Givens), whom he secretly loves. The Walkers live in Metro City, Illinois, a city that's been hit with a massive crime wave after the mayor is kidnapped by gangsters. After his grandmother is killed, Darryl builds a collection of crime-fighting robots from household junk, invents bullet-proof long underwear (made from his grandmother's old housecoat), and becomes Metro City's newest crime fighter, Blankman. Blankman's escapades put fear into the heart of mob boss Michael Minelli (Jon Polito), and when Kevin turns out to have an inside track on Blankman's activities, it brings him closer to Kimberley. But how long can a superhero with no superpowers last against the forces of organized crime? Damon Wayans wrote the original story for Blankman as well as co-writing the screenplay and playing the title role, which was based in part on his "Handi-Man" character from the TV comedy series In Living Color. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 36 min.
Directed By: Mike Binder
Written By: J.F. Lawton, Damon Wayans
Genres: Action & Adventure, Comedy

In Theaters: Aug 19, 1994 Wide
On DVD: Jan 8, 2002
Studio: Sony Pictures Home Entertainment

Critic Reviews

Stephen Holden, New York Times
Blankman plays it light and silly but not so broadly that the movie collapses into chaos.
Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The title Blankman should be warning enough: There's nothing here.
Rita Kempley, Washington Post
Wayans's attempt to take a bite out of crime doesn't really work. In fact, he's shooting a blank.
Steve Crum, Video-Reviewmaster.com
Sort of inspired, but really lame, superhero premise.
Alex Sandell, Juicy Cerebellum
This isn't the worst superhero parody ever created, it's just one of them.
Brant Bingamon, Austin Chronicle
Blankman's use of the cheesy effects from the Batman TV show, including Polito trying to imitate The Penguin, was initially a good idea but the execution is simply horrible and this is what winds up ruining the film.
Clint Morris, Moviehole
Damon Wayans loses credibility in 90 minute movie shocker!
Scott Weinberg, eFilmCritic.com
Aims for the most simplistic sort of slapstick ... and fails even at that.
Chris Hicks, Deseret News, Salt Lake City
Some of this is mildly amusing but there is a mean spirit that undercuts the laughs and the violence is surprisingly harsh.

Read all 9 critic reviews

Critic ratings and reviews powered by RottenTomatoes.com

Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)

Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)

Featured Audience Ratings

Tim S

Love Damon Wayans, but this was terrible.
Lafe F

A cheapass mindless Superhero flick - which I rather enjoyed. Funny stuff. Damon rocks!
Jason S

I thought it was funny.
Logan G

An unfortunately unfunny, unlikable, uninteresting, uninspiring, unbelievable bad film that makes me sad due to the talent behind the camera.
Joseph E

Off-Color Humor by the master himself! What can I say Wayans puts the Whacked in the "W" in Wayans. I enjoyed alot more than I thought I would.
Ira Z

Pointless, the entire cast's acting was just awful and the whole movie was made entirely from comedy/super hero cliches. Even though, this could very well be a guilty pleasure when you have absolutely nothing to do.
Leo L

Very funny!

Read all 7 featured audience ratings

Cast

            Damon Wayans as Darryl Walker

            David Alan Grier as Kevin Walker

            Robin Givens as Kimberly Jonz

            Christopher Lawford as Mayor Marvin Harris

            Lynne Thigpen as Grandma Walker

            Jon Polito as Michael Minelli

            Jason Alexander as Mr. Stone

            Shûko Akune as Campaign Worker

            Gerry Black as Desk Sergeant

            June Christopher as Pregnant Woman

            Nicky Corello as Sammy the Blade

            Tony Cox as Midgetman

            Arsenio Hall as Himself

            Biff Manard as Biff

            Gordon McClure as Man of God

            John Moschitta Jr. as Mr. Crudd

            Harris Peet as Commissioner Gains

            Robert Schimmel as Officer

            Frazer Smith as Ned Beadie

            Kevin West as Gay Man

            Yvette Wilson as Fat Girl

            Mike Binder as Dr. Victor Norris

            Conroy Gedeon as New Mayor

            Michael Marloe as Scuzzy Bum

            Aleta Helena Chappelle
            
            Greg Kinnear as Talk Show Host

            Marty Schiff as Liquor Store Owner

            Mark Burton as Harris' Assistant

            Damon Wayans Jr.
            
            Michael Wayans
            
            Nick Corello
            
            Joseph Vassallo
            
See full cast