This political satire is something of an ego trip for comedian Chris Rock. Not only does he take the lead, as a black presidential candidate deliberately handpicked to bolster opposition votes, but he also makes his directorial debut, co-writes and produces. Consequently his sugar-rush effervescence pervades throughout. There's no subtlety as he saturates the transparent strength-through-adversity storyline with patronising stereotypes, repetitive sight gags and his customary quick-fire retorts. Though his concise observations on social decay are wryly amusing, the humour overall is annoyingly self-conscious and clumsy. Handled with more sophistication, the film could have used wit to deliver a serious message on inter-racial equality, but Rock squanders his opportunity in favour of immature farce.

When a presidential candidate dies unexpectedly in the middle of the campaign, the Democratic party unexpectedly picks a Washington, D.C. alderman as his replacement.