Carmen - A Hip Hopera (2001)
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69% of users liked it
(8,530 ratings)
Previously, and brilliantly, adapted as an opera by Georges Bizet, the Prosper Merimee novel Carmen served as the inspiration for this updated made-for-cable movie. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, the film stars Beynoce Knowles of Destiny's Child as the seductive Carmen, no longer an employee… More Previously, and brilliantly, adapted as an opera by Georges Bizet, the Prosper Merimee novel Carmen served as the inspiration for this updated made-for-cable movie. Set in contemporary Los Angeles, the film stars Beynoce Knowles of Destiny's Child as the seductive Carmen, no longer an employee in a cigarette factory but instead an aspiring actress. The "Don Jose" character has become a cop named Sgt. Derek Hill (Mekhi Phifer), who after being ordered by his corrupt superior officer Frank Miller (played by rapper Mos Def) to arrest Carmen for her involvement in a bar fight, falls hopelessly--and tragically--in love with her. After leading Hill down the path to perdition, Carmen deserts him, not out of love for bullfighter Escamillo but for a top-40 rap star named Blaze (Casey Lee). Although the familiar Bizet melodies are heard as linking music, the main musical score is a complete original, composed by Kip Collins. MTV's Hip Hopera: Carmen first aired over the titular cable network on May 9, 2001. ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- Robert Townsend
- Written By
- Michael Elliott
- Genres
- Musical & Performing Arts, Drama
PG-13,
- In Theaters
- May 8, 2001 Wide
- Studio
- New Line Home Entertainment
Critic Reviews
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Kevin N. Laforest, Apollo Guide
A refreshing movie with plenty of solid performances and catchy rap numbers.
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Cast
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Beyonce Knowles
as Carmen
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Mekhi Phifer
as Sgt. Derek Hill
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Mos Def
as Frank Miller
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Troy Winbush
as Porter
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Wyclef Jean
as Fortune Teller
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Casey Lee
as Blaze
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Jermaine Dupri
as Pockets
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Da Brat
as Narrator
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Joy Bryant
as Nikki
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Sam Sarpong
as Nathaniel
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Reagan Gomez-Preston
as Caela
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Yuri Brown
as Nori Lawson
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Lil Bow Wow
as Jalil
- Bow Wow
- Fred Williamson
- Rah Digga
