King’s Ransom Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A jerk millionaire tries to fake his own kidnapping to avoid a gold-digger ex, only to discover it’s apparently ‘Kidnap the Millionaire Night’ and everyone *else* also wants a piece of him.

🍿 King’s Ransom: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Setup: Dodging the Divorce

Wealthy and arrogant businessman Malcolm King faces a significant problem: his soon-to-be ex-wife, Renee, plans to take a large portion of his fortune in their divorce settlement. Desperate to keep his money, Malcolm devises a drastic plan. His scheme involves faking his own kidnapping. With the help of his dim-witted mistress, Peaches, and her ex-con brother, Herb, Malcolm intends to disappear and emerge later, presumably having lost his fortune to kidnappers, thus avoiding the divorce settlement.

Multiple Plans, One Target

Unbeknownst to Malcolm, his plan is just one of several kidnapping plots set for the same night. Disgruntled employees, fed up with Malcolm’s abrasive behavior, also plan to abduct him. Adding to the chaos, another individual, Corey, a man Malcolm has wronged, also intends to kidnap him for his own reasons. This creates a chaotic situation where multiple parties are trying to capture the same person, each with their own motive and plan.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Malcolm King (Anthony Anderson): The wealthy and arrogant businessman who plans his own kidnapping to avoid a divorce settlement but becomes a target for others.
• Renee King (Kellita Smith): Malcolm’s ex-wife who seeks a large divorce settlement, prompting his scheme.
• Corey (Jay Mohr): A man independently planning to kidnap Malcolm for his own ransom scheme.
• Peaches Clarke (Regina Hall): Malcolm’s dim-witted mistress who helps him orchestrate his fake kidnapping.
• Herb Clarke (Charlie Murphy): Peaches’ ex-con brother enlisted to perform Malcolm’s staged kidnapping.
• Andre (Donald Faison): A man mistakenly kidnapped by Herb instead of Malcolm King.
• Angela Drake (Nicole Ari Parker): A disgruntled employee planning her own kidnapping scheme against Malcolm King.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Malcolm King: “What $10,000 dollars? I’m not worth $10,000 dollars! You kidnapped Malcolm King not Bobby Brown!” – Said indignantly after grabbing the phone from Corey, shocked at the low ransom amount demanded for his own fake kidnapping.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $15,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $4,008,527
• Worldwide Gross: $4,143,652

💥 King’s Ransom Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so I went into King’s Ransom knowing the reviews weren’t great, but honestly, I found parts of it pretty funny! It’s definitely not highbrow humor, more like slapstick and crazy coincidences. I really enjoyed Jay Mohr’s character, Corey. Seeing Anthony Anderson’s character, Malcolm, teach him how to be a ‘real’ tough guy was unexpectedly hilarious and probably the highlight for me. Regina Hall as Peaches was also a standout; she leaned into the airhead role completely. Yeah, the plot is ridiculous and some scenes felt a bit pointless, but I laughed out loud a few times. If you can turn your brain off and just enjoy the silly premise and some fun performances, you might find something to like here. It’s definitely not a masterpiece, but it wasn’t a total waste of time for me personally.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of Anthony Anderson and Charlie Murphy”
  • “Viewers seeking a light, slapstick crime comedy”
  • “Those interested in ensemble casts from early 2000s comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Crude and Sexual Humor”
  • “Language”
  • “Comic violence (e.g., nail gun use, hit in the groin)”

Professional Reviews

• Film Weekly: “Despite a premise ripe for chaotic comedy and a cast featuring talented comedic actors, King’s Ransom sadly falls flat. The script struggles to land its jokes, and the multiple kidnapping plots quickly become more confusing than clever. While a few performers manage fleeting moments of charm, the overall experience is disjointed and fails to capitalize on its potential.
• Comedy Critic Hub: “Anthony Anderson leads a decent ensemble, but King’s Ransom never quite figures out what kind of comedy it wants to be. It’s occasionally silly, sometimes crude, but rarely genuinely funny. The pacing feels off, and characters who could have been highlights are either underdeveloped or over-the-top without payoff. A disappointing effort.

Audience Reactions

Fans loved specific character performances, particularly Regina Hall and Jay Mohr.: Some viewers found laugh-out-loud moments despite the messy plot, often citing specific silly scenes like the sandwich body slam or Corey’s interactions.

Many viewers felt the movie had a promising premise that wasn’t fully utilized.: A common point of frustration was the underdeveloped script, poor pacing, and characters disappearing or plots not resolving satisfactorily.

Overall Consensus: Audience opinion is sharply divided, with many finding it painful or nonsensical, while others appreciated the slapstick humor and specific actor performances, concluding it’s a watchable but flawed comedy.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Actor Jay Mohr had actual ketchup splattered on his face during a scene.”
• “A continuity error (goof) occurs when nails shot into a wall disappear in the subsequent shot.”

🖥️ How to Watch King’s Ransom?

As an older comedy film, ‘King’s Ransom’ is typically available for rent or purchase on major digital platforms. You can often find it on services like Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, Vudu, and Google Play Movies & TV. Check these platforms for current availability and pricing.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed King’s Ransom, you might like these similar films:

• Ruthless People (1986): A direct comparison featuring a wealthy, unlikeable protagonist whose planned kidnapping goes spectacularly wrong when others also get involved.
• Get Shorty (1995): A crime comedy involving multiple groups of eccentric characters with competing schemes, leading to comedic chaos and crossed paths, similar to the multiple kidnapping plots.
• The War of the Roses (1989): While a darker comedy, it shares the thematic core of a bitter, high-stakes conflict driven by divorce and wealth disputes, escalating into chaotic and destructive scenarios.
• Office Space (1999): Appeals to the disgruntled employee theme present in ‘King’s Ransom,’ featuring characters fed up with their jobs and bosses who resort to illicit schemes, though with a different comedic tone and cult status.
• Game Night (2018): A modern ensemble crime comedy involving mistaken identities and a game that turns into a real-life dangerous scheme, offering a contemporary take on comedic chaos involving unwitting participants.

🛒 King’s Ransom Related Products

• King’s Ransom DVD: Own the comedic caper of Malcolm King’s disastrous self-kidnapping attempt on DVD. Includes special features like deleted scenes (which some viewers felt offered better context!) and behind-the-scenes glimpses.
• Chappelle’s Show: The Complete Series DVD: Experience the iconic sketch comedy series featuring Charlie Murphy in many memorable roles. While not directly related to King’s Ransom plot, it showcases the comedic talent of one of its key supporting actors.
• Barbershop / Barbershop 2 / Beauty Shop Triple Feature DVD: A collection featuring Anthony Anderson in the role of JD, a character known for his comedic antics. These films offer a different style of comedy but highlight Anderson’s range.
• Ruthless People Blu-ray: A classic 80s crime comedy about a man whose plan to *not* pay ransom for his kidnapped wife is complicated when the kidnappers don’t want her back. Praised by one King’s Ransom reviewer as a benchmark.

🎧 Soundtrack

King’s Ransom features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Living Like a King” – performed by Calvin Richardson and Luce Gordon

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Who Am I – Casting Crowns (w/ lyrics)

Have you ever wondered about your place in the world? This incredibly popular song about finding identity and faith might just make you think differently, and its themes could surprisingly connect with the movie’s message. It’s definitely worth checking out!

The Smashing Pumpkins – Tonight, Tonight (Official Music Video)

Remember this classic? This iconic music video has captivated millions and racked up nearly 100 million views! While it’s a different vibe from the movie, its sheer popularity and stunning visuals make it an engaging watch.

Doctor’s Handwritings || Amusing Handwriting ||

Need a quick chuckle? This viral short clip about famously tricky doctor’s handwriting is super popular and guaranteed to bring a smile. It’s short, sweet, and millions have loved it!

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