Marketic It's no definitive masterpiece but it's damn close.

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

DipitySkillful an ambitious but ultimately ineffective debut endeavor.

Lidia Draper Great example of an old-fashioned, pure-at-heart escapist event movie that doesn't pretend to be anything that it's not and has boat loads of fun being its own ludicrous self.

videorama-759-859391 For a Pryor film, this one is disappointing, or may'be I just found it weaker than normal, but anything with Richie in, is worth it. Here in a great titled flick, he's a framed escapee, made a psychotic patient, that has him now masquerading as a hectic doctor. But the jobs does have it's perks, with Pryor examining a young hottie's goodies, one standout scene in the whole mad affair. This film is very entertaining, though, as in seeing how Richie will get out of this. The film has a very interesting cast, including a bit part with Wesley Snipes as an ambo, and Joe Mantegna, has a heartless, hospital director, who's taken a hostage by our loonies. The cast on the patient's arm scene with Pryor laying the cast on pretty thick, with Pryor showing a young intern, was another funny moment. As was too, him trying to convince the hospital board of his psychotic state, when he describes in unsavoury and disturbing detail, pictures that our show to him. The film's not unfunny. It's just not as funny as most of Pryor's stuff, where as you know, with his films, the bar is set pretty high. It's still bloody enjoyable, the "what a shame factor" present. Again in the end, it all ends well, for our framed ex con/conman, Pryor. Still one for Pryor fans.

Tim Kidner Though the subject had potential and one or two jokes were reasonable, this comedy really did fall flat on its face. Though I appreciate Richard Pryor when he's good and has decent material, I was never a follower of him, so hold no allegiance to the comic, so no extra points just because he stars.It looks as if it was made in the 1970's, as were the attitudes to all the poorly targeted subjects within it. Bumbling, obvious slapstick followed by cheap, unfunny stereotyping at the psychiatric hospital. This where the potential lay, but not taken.The worse bits were to come - mawkish melodrama where the 'patient' becomes the Emergency Room consultant and Pryor tries to bond with the poor suffering patients. The 'romance' even worse. I almost wanted hospital treatment myself! However, the sidekick scenario of a power cut due to a thunderstorm and thus everybody on life support etc getting in all sorts of trouble was a good one and about the only redeeming feature.Unfortunately, the ending that seemed to be a shoot-out (I lost the will to care, let alone work out who) was very tedious and boring and I willed it all to be over, by any means necessary, including a power-cut in my home!

lost-in-limbo Tick off another Richard Pryor comedy vehicle, which actually wasn't too bad even though it had him playing the same sort of comic role and the humour could be put off by its heavy-handed running themes. Pryor stars as an ex-con who poses as a psycho to get out of a jail sentence, so the judge sends him to a hospital where he would find himself posing as an emergency room doctor one night in his attempt to escape during a cyclone because the doctors don't believe him to be insane. This hospital comedy is zany, crude and very often unhinged, as Pryor plays it neurotic with a certain deadpan quality and across him was the lovely Rachel Ticotin. The support cast surrounding him are quite good in their deliveries. Ruben Blades, Sylvia Miles, Joe Mantegna, Bob Dishy, Garrett Morris, Randel "Tex" Cobb, Bob Saget and John Polito. The hodge podge story throws around many ideas and gags in a downright chaotic manner, from mistaken identity to offbeat medical techniques and displaying confidence in those around you to act upon your own judgement leading the way. "Critical Condition" is far from a lethal injection, as in the end it all comes together in an amusing haphazard way led by the likable comedian Pryor. "He doesn't need a second opinion".

hot_yelland A highly underrated film that is filled with Pryor's subtle brand of caustic humor.If you have never seen this rent it tonight! Possibly Pryor's Citizen Kane.Yes, I said it! This film may be slow in the script dept. but follow Pryor's every move and you will laugh your a$# off!! Garret Morris and Randall "Tex" Cobb are highlites to watch for. Bob Saget gets a nod for showing up.Thanks Richard, you made us laugh, and did so admirably. You will not be missed, thanks to reruns and DVD's.