Ghoulumbe Better than most people think

InformationRap This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

Ariella Broughton It is neither dumb nor smart enough to be fun, and spends way too much time with its boring human characters.

Ezmae Chang This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

TheLittleSongbird Actually feel quite bad for saying this and criticising 'Ernest Goes to Africa', because this is coming from somebody, who while acknowledging that they had faults and were not great films, actually enjoyed most of the 'Ernest' films in a guilty pleasure sort of way and made a conscious effort to take them for what they are. Felt somewhat nervous reviewing the film and criticising it.Mainly because of people getting the wrong idea about me. Am a long way from a detractor, a defender if anything, and actually wanted to like 'Ernest Goes to Africa' having liked all the theatrically released films while being a little harsher on the straight to video outings. Regardless of the critical reception for all the films being near-universally negative, while being more positively received by audiences. But partly because of the trend for critics to be bashed, with anybody offering as much as a criticism for any of the films being at the risk of being shouted down and made to feel that they're wrong, let alone dislike it.This sort of attitude reeks of arrogance and has gotten significantly worse in recent years. Usually try to refrain from saying this or bringing this up, but this is becoming increasingly annoying, whatever has happened to respecting people's opinions regardless of whether you agree or disagree. It really isn't that hard to do.Back to reviewing 'Ernest Goes to Africa'. 'Ernest Goes to Africa' is not without redeeming qualities, none of the 'Ernest' films, even the weaker ones, are unsalvageable. The best things about it are the music and Jim Varney. The music is full of rocking energy and affectionate nostalgia and really adds a great deal to the action in the film. It's hard still not to relate to Ernest, the sort of character that is a well-intended serial bumbler with a well-meaning big strong heart but always finding himself messing up without intention.Varney is fun and likable in the role, to me there is enough freshness in the interpretation to not make it too tired or endless mugging and his performance does give the film much needed energy. A few parts are funny, personally liked the beginning and thought the highlights were the tribe scene and the character of Hey You.However, faring worst are the story and Linda Kash. Even for an 'Ernest' film, where the story was never a strong suit, as well as being the thinnest story of the series, the story in 'Ernest Goes to Africa' is the series at its dumbest, most muddled and dullest, with a real lack of momentum due to some scenes (such as the over-stretched and poorly staged chases) going on for far too long. Complete with a ludicrously contrived ending that belongs more in a badly done cartoon. Kash has the single most annoying character of the whole series, especially in her treatment of Ernest who really did not deserve how she treated him, and she is atrociously irritating in the part.The supporting cast are no better, with the villains being non-threatening and their actions are silly and repetitive. Varney is the sole bright spot in the acting stakes. 'Ernest Goes to Africa' is really not written well at all either. The humour works a few times but they only happen in glimpsing flashes rather than as an overall whole. Nobody expects a sophisticated script in an 'Ernest' film, that was well established with as far back as 'Ernest Goes to Camp' (that's right the one that started it all off) and it's like expecting a porn star to have acting talent. The script however is truly infantile with constant groans and head shakes than laughter, hearing some of it is enough to make one feel like their IQ has significantly dropped.Likewise with the gags, which suffer from being childish and contrived and from lack of momentum from some going on too long. Pacing is dull and makes the short running time feel longer, while the direction is just as dull and bordering on ineptly clumsy. 'Ernest Goes to Africa' is the cheapest-looking of a series that have always been clearly low budget (though the theatrically released films didn't fare anywhere near as badly as the straight to video ones), the scenery looks fake and the camera work. One doesn't expect such low quality for a film from the late 90s with film-making generally become significantly advanced technically when done right overtime.Overall, disappointing and to me the weakest of the 'Ernest' films. 4/10 Bethany Cox

SanteeFats Not the best Ernest movie but still a nice one. It is a typical Ernest movie where he plays the idiot and the other characters support the effort. When things go wrong in America he ends up in Africa with the women of his dreams. She of course does not appreciate it but has no other option but to go along with Ernest. The scenes with the African(?) natives is fairly funny and the fact that Ernest wins their support and help is of course necessary for the plot, otherwise the bad guys would win. The bald, fat guy who is one of the main bad guys does his job well and of course gets his come-uppence by the end of the movie.

nohumpingcars OK, so one night me and some friends decided to get really stoned and watch a movie. Unfortunately for us, we chose 'Ernest Goes to Africa.' I have never laughed so hard in my entire life. This movie is beyond bad. I have literally pooped out better films than 'Ernest Goes to Africa.' (I poop films) The highlight of this movie, for me at least, was the opening sequence, when Ernest is making silly faces. When they showed him with a head the size of a peanut, I lost it. Perhaps I found this so funny because at that point I was the most high. Perhaps you are right.If I had to guess what George W. Bush's favorite movie is, I would guess 'Ernest Goes to Africa.' Never before have I seen a movie rely more on 1950's stereotypes of people of color. There were times when words escaped me and I just stared in awe.As I was watching this, I couldn't help but wonder, is this movie meant for children? Do literate adults actually watch this? How could there possibly be a whole franchise of 'Ernest' movies? Is this really my life? Is this real? I hated this movie.

Clouds-3 I saw this on WAM last night and had to see it. As another viewer said, there were flashes of pure brilliance so in contrast with the bad plot. Basically all the Ernest humor was really good. Anything having to do with Africa was bad. Sometimes, it wasn't clear whether the filmmakers knew the difference between Africa and India, as Indian accents abounded. Jamie Bartlett was also an excellent villain. Somehow seeing him yell the standard, "You fools!" at his henchmen gave a kind of satisfaction you don't normally get from a B-movie villain. Regardless, it was an Ernest movie, thus stupid by definition. If you like Varney's characters (Ernest/Hey You/etc[you shouldn't know about all of them]) then you should definitely see this movie.