It's fun and laughable in many parts. Not quite as good as others starring this pair, but watchable all the same

One of the best movies ever. So many great stars in this movie,all together for one time. This is an epic FKN CLASSIC film. They don't make em like this anymore. Well maybe some Kevin Hart and Martin Lawrence... Yes! Deep movie about real true life personal relationship. This movie is real. Not many people in REAL LIFE get to experience the beauty of the friendship and bond displayed in this film. But it is possible. It is real. Don't give up on people.

Knowing that Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence were starring in this 1999 comedy "Life", I was expecting a spontaneous array of fun-loving over-the-top comical performers frolicking in scenes playing off each other's zany ways in a story we can all sink our teeth into. While they did co-star in 1992's film "Boomerang", when they collaborated, the duo were resting on the coattails of successful films like Murphy in "The Nutty Professor" and "Dr. Doolittle" and Lawrence was making us giggle in "Bad Boys" and "Big Mama's House". Sure we were expecting these two to go into full improvising in hopes to brighten up anyone's bad day, but by the end, "Life" is still very short-changed in expectations. The laughs are aplenty due to the ensemble and Ted Demme's methodical direction, but the film is is very unsatisfying due to the limited intriguing scenes and character chemistry and conflict, that was pushed back due to the lagging script that can't decide if it wants to a comedy or a comedy-drama that holds back what Murphy and Lawrence are capable of.Murphy stars as Rayford "Ray" Gibson a hustler and Lawrence as sincere banker Claude Banks whose ambition was to get a legitimate job as a teller at the First Federal in Manhattan to provide wealth for himself and his girlfriend (Saana Lathan). Ray and Claude meet at Spanky's Nightclub where Spanky (Rick James) assigns the duo on a bootlegging assignment to pay off their debt, as they go South to Mississippi to purchase some "hooch". While there, an associate of Ray's gets killed and corrupt Caucasian locals frame Ray and Claude of a crime they did not commit. The duo are arrested and sentenced to a life sentence and sent to prison camp. There they are introduced to inmates like Jangle Leg (Bernie Mac) and the intimidating Goldmouth (Michael Taliferro). While imprisoned, Ray and Clause are warned by Sgt. Dillard (Nick Cassavetes) that any attempts to escape equals certain death. By the 1940's they befriend a promising baseball star named Can't-Get-Right (Bookeem Woodbine) and in the 1970's they are befriended by a sympathetic superintendent Wilkins (Ned Beatty) who finally are given their freedom by the 1990's. And sure the odd couple pairing of Ray and Claude provide laughs while remain disgusted with each other the longer they've been jailed.This movie should've been a comedic gem, with equal screen time between Murphy and Lawrence, and the confident direction from the late Ted Demme who can do comedy quite capably like in "The Ref", and the supporting cast had their moments of humorous scenes. The process of time shows process as Ray and Claude are wasting away while imprisoned for something they didn't do. We should have had more check-ups on them every five years, but instead we're only given four eras of their life in jail and leaves out on the spaces in between which deters the sympathy we have for this unfortunate duo. It feels rushed from serving it purpose to the short title and can't find the meaning of how it all sums down to.The script by Robert Ramsey and Matthew Stone feels at times just random while lacking in anything reflective even though Murphy and Lawrence take control over their roles admirably and Demme tries to keep the direction flowing splendidly and liberates the cast improvise their lines to keep the humour going and to show that the cast enjoy working together. The mismanagement holds the film from being a true cinematic masterpiece as it wanders from standard comedy to comedy-drama as Ray and Claude finally see life outside the walls of prison camp while an inmate takes his life to avoid living the outside world. There's also an underdone subplot involving the superintendent that feels rushed it leaves lots of questions unanswered. There are some wonderful moments, but very sporadically featured as Demme tries to keep his film funny and meaningful when it needed to be consistent and more emphasis on the passage of time and the hardships it had on Ray and Claude.

I thought this movie was funny, but also serious as well. Showing how it was back in the late 30s when African Americans were framed for crimes they never committed and were throw in jail. Another thing it showed was how only a few African Americans could read and write. The film is very accurate when it depicts the life of African Americans who have been imprisoned wrongfully.Eddie Murphy's portrayal of Ray Gibson is flawless and touching, showing how he can be funny, tough, difficult, but loving at times. Martin Lawrence portrayal of Claude Banks is flawless as well, making as a believably imitated, hopeful, intellectual, dignified, and at times... heartbroken man. The late Bernie Mac short portrayal of a Gay inmate is funny and helps reminds you that this film is also a Comedy, not just a Drama. Th rest of the cast is good as well in both being funny and serious.Eddie's Dramatic acting is just as good as his Comedic acting and must NEVER be ignored!