Even with its amateurish presentation and off-kilter action, Dolemite is far more fun than a good many of the high-stakes, high-budget films that the big studios roll out every month or so. Personality goes a long way.
80
The New York Times
The New York Times
Dolemite remains the Citizen Kane of kung fu pimping movies. [26 May 2002, p.1]
75
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
The A.V. ClubKeith Phipps
Moore is so uncharismatic, he works his way back around to become incredibly charismatic, and so does the film.
75
RogerEbert.comSimon Abrams
RogerEbert.comSimon Abrams
A charmingly filthy, albeit rather amateurish stab at making a macho action-hero persona out of Moore's stand-up sensibility.
67
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
The A.V. ClubNathan Rabin
Dolemite's plot has something to do with Moore squaring off against crooked cops and a crooked politician, but as in all of his movies, the story is less important than the cheap entertainment.