Pootie Tang (2001)

29% of critics liked it
(42 reviews)
55% of users liked it
(29,451 ratings)

This comic spoof is spun off from a character that first appeared on The Chris Rock Show, and is written and directed by Louis C.K., one of that show's producers. Lance Crouther stars as Pootie Tang, a crime fighting superhero and recording artist who speaks in an unintelligible gibberish that seems… More This comic spoof is spun off from a character that first appeared on The Chris Rock Show, and is written and directed by Louis C.K., one of that show's producers. Lance Crouther stars as Pootie Tang, a crime fighting superhero and recording artist who speaks in an unintelligible gibberish that seems to be a combination of Ebonics and street slang. Despite his communication problem, Pootie is a hero to children, whom he attempts to protect from the evil Dick Lecter (Robert Vaughn), a corporate fat cat out to corrupt America's youth with alcohol, tobacco, and junk food. Pootie also runs up against an artistic imitator (David Cross) and a sleazy recording executive (Andy Richter) Pootie Tang co-stars Chris Rock, Dave Attell, and Bob Costas and Conan O'Brien as themselves. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

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Rating, Runtime: PG-13, 1 hr. 21 min.
Directed By: Louis C.K.
Written By: Louis C. K.
Genres: Comedy

In Theaters: Jun 29, 2001 Wide
On DVD: Nov 27, 2001
Studio: Paramount Pictures

Critic Reviews

Nathan Lee, Village Voice
Pootie Tang works, in part, because it doesn't. Which is to say the movie's special success is inextricable from the moments where it blatantly fails. The movie exerts a beguiling charm that can only be explained as the je ne sais quoi of sa da tay.
Dennis Lim, Village Voice
A bona fide cult object in the making.
Geoff Pevere, Toronto Star
A pretty inspired and consistently witty satirical skewering of three decade's worth of macho black pop cultural clichés.
Wesley Morris, San Francisco Chronicle
Mostly an amusing exercise in black vernacular, searching for a point.
Eric Harrison, Houston Chronicle
It would've made a great 30-minute comic short. Most of the film is padding.
Kirk Honeycutt, Hollywood Reporter
This astonishingly unfunny Paramount comedy is burdened with writing, direction and acting that would cause Ed Wood to wince.
Ken Hanke, Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)
Writer-director Louis C.K. (I wouldn't give my correct name either) was named on Entertainment Weekly's "It List," proving that entertainment is in a bad way.
David Noh, Film Journal International
Pootie is such an original, utterly absurd conception that, however one may hesitate over superfluous matters of good taste or (horrors!) political correctness, anyone with an ounce of humor will find it impossible not to succumb in gales of laughter.
Catharine Tunnacliffe, eye WEEKLY
There are bad movies, there are disappointing movies, and then there's Pootie Tang, a movie so incompetent, it almost defies description.
Steve Rhodes, Internet Reviews
Its humor tires not too long after the beginning credits have finished rolling.

Read all 10 critic reviews

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Featured Audience Ratings

Michael G

Pootie Tang is quite possibly one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. I'm talking dumb as a bowl of mice dumb and I laughed my ass off at this movie. I would've loved to see a raunchier R-rated version but watching Wanda Sykes dance (and just Wanda Sykes in general)… More
Pootie Tang is quite possibly one of the dumbest movies I've ever seen. I'm talking dumb as a bowl of mice dumb and I laughed my ass off at this movie. I would've loved to see a raunchier R-rated version but watching Wanda Sykes dance (and just Wanda Sykes in general) more than made up for that. Pootie Tang also cements my belief that Louis C.K. is a genius. It's a quick watch. Just see it.
Tim B

Why haven't I reviewed this movie yet? I've seen years ago, and it still makes me smile when I think of it. Looking through other Flixter reviews, it seems people love this movie, but are afraid to give it a good rating. "Stupid..." they rant, ..."but… More
Why haven't I reviewed this movie yet? I've seen years ago, and it still makes me smile when I think of it. Looking through other Flixter reviews, it seems people love this movie, but are afraid to give it a good rating. "Stupid..." they rant, ..."but can't help but laugh". I'm sorry, but if a comedy makes you laugh, doesn't that make it good? Cast off your fears of social persecution! Embrace Pootie Tang!
Randy T

This movie is stupid, ridiculous and completely moronic. ...and yet, I find myself laughing hysterically every time I see it. Why God, why?!?!?
Keysha H

I know..I know..Sah dah tay! But it is really funny.
Mike S

Turned it off after 30 min, couldn't bear it anymore. So bad it hurts.
Christopher B

Sa Da Tay!
Jimm C

Silly but entertaining, same humor style as "the Airplane series" but not quite as silly. Maybe it's just a "Pootie Thang"