The Meteor Man [DVD]

Get ready for a cosmic chuckle with The Meteor Man, the 1993 superhero comedy starring Robert Townsend (Hollywood Shuffle, The Five Heartbeats, Holiday Heart), who also directs this cult favorite. Townsend plays Jefferson Reed, a mild-mannered Washington, D.C. teacher who, after being struck by a glowing green meteor, suddenly gains incredible powers - from flight to super strength to reading books by simply touching them. Armed with these unlikely abilities, he sets out to clean up his neighborhood and face off against local gangs with both heart and hilarious flair. The cast is stacked with familiar faces from film, TV, and comedy. James Earl Jones (Star Wars, Coming to America, The Lion King) adds gravitas in a comedic twist, while Eddie Griffin (Undercover Brother, Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo, Malcolm & Eddie) brings his trademark energy. Bill Cosby (The Cosby Show, Uptown Saturday Night, I Spy) appears in an unforgettable cameo, and Marla Gibbs (227, The Jeffersons, Checking In) delivers sass and warmth. Don Cheadle (Hotel Rwanda, Crash, Iron Man 2) turns up as a gang leader, while legendary R&B artist Luther Vandross and Chris Tucker (Rush Hour, Friday, The Fifth Element) make early and memorable appearances. Even hip-hop icons Naughty by Nature and Cypress Hill contribute to the film's uniquely funky, early '90s vibe. With it's mix of superhero antics, community spirit, and a soundtrack that channels the best of the era, The Meteor Man is a feel-good romp that's truly out of this world - a cult classic that blends laughs, action, and heart. RUNTIME: 100 minutes