4/5
Rife With Talent.
64 Mins. Starring: Matt Rife. Director: Erik Griffin. On: Netflix.
Self-producing his own comedy specials for years, you may know 'Matthew Steven Rife' from such stand-up specials as 'Walking Red Flag', or his 'Only Fans', by all accounts. Yet the former 'Wild 'n Out' star is doing exactly that with the 'Natural Selection' of his first Netflix special directed by Erik Griffin. The streaming service really is a joke. And even if the majority of their movies mostly are (save their Oscar season contenders where they make a killing like Fincher and Fassbender last week), the world's leading small screen machine still has countless swipes of amazing anime, South Korean dramas (not to mention, a real-life 'Squid Game' show, there will be "red light" blood), and of course hilarious comics making moves like Marvel. Now, if you thought this handsome Dan (his name is actually Matt) was just a brief TikTok few second flash in the pan, then just wait for the mic drop. Taking on the trolls of those who would rather focus on negativity and dunking on your dream than working on their own. Influencing a whole generation, even more than those who call themselves that word, with an impassioned speech to believe in yourself. Even when haters would call it anything but their own ignorant insecurities being projected on to those focusing on a life those trying to bring them down will never see, nor reach like the stars.
Chappelle co-signed, fun and cancel free (right now, at least), there's no Frat Pack bulls### here. Don't be a douche and call him the next Dane Cook, but in 'Retaliation', like that great he's 'Harmful When Swallowed', with a look to tease every lady above a half-century in the audience. Screaming like Dane's cooked up show at Madison Square Garden that sounded like everyone in the Mecca waited on a line and not in a line. Yep, that's right. Rifling through his Tinder, Matt is most likely going to set his sliders to the sixties, and why not? The older, the better. He loves the ladies who would do lunch if only they woke up in time. Which strangely makes for our second waddling Greg Germann's Fish in 'Ally McBeal' reference in a week. And guess what? So do I! But hey, I am older...so it doesn't really count. Age ain't nothing but a number...unless your name's Robert, then we're talking prison time buddy, you went the wrong way, Jose. May to December, Rife walks the fine line of cancellation, from January to the stroke of midnight of some jokes about the D. Cue the eye-rolls like the ones he gives when he talks about the complaints and hate that will come through on the social media he engages him because it helped give him his name. But look, they made me laugh and if that makes me a d###, so be it. The new king of improv has some inspired moments and still knows how to work a crowd and make them all feel good in the process. Welcome with the bantering warmth of the fact that we're all in this b.s. together. Matt could make a heckler his friend with heart, but he'd still have the last laugh if the joke's on you.
At 28, Rife could be the next great. He's already made his career what it is from relative obscurity. And scored roles 'Fresh Off The Boat' on shows like 'Brooklyn Nine-Nine' and even dated Kate Beckinsale. But don't call him Pete Davidson. The black comedy of this Ricky Gervais inspired comic who has been through enough is at times beautiful, and he brings it all back to earth perfectly on the traditional long story stand-up end of an aeroplane scenario that really sticks the landing. Right before you stick around after the end credits to see what he does best...make friends with the faces in the crowd. Insult comedy may cut to the bone sometimes, but don't take it so seriously with that thin skin. Like Eddie Murphy once said, driving the point home, "they're just jokes, baby!" Matt may have a comic rifle for jokes about the fairer sex...and of course sex. Not to mention something a little closer to home for the Washington, D.C. (his favourite city) crowd. Yet he pokes (literally) fun at himself too, and like 'The Closer' never punches down. Everybody feels like his people, and he'll give as good as he's willing to take in reply. Isn't that the true nature of comedy? To have some good-natured fun and a damn good time in the process? Just like with the dating game, and someone a little older in the tooth they keep with the rest in a glass on top of the bedside table, you may just wake up to one morning with no regrets. Just try it sometime. Oh, and the stand-up special too. It's only 'Natural' (I promise, I'm definitely, 99.999% talking about the comedy now, this review is not an extended take on how I now prefer an older woman...I promise...99.999...9%). Make this your next selection. TIM DAVID HARVEY.
Further Filming: 'Bill Burr-Paper Tiger', 'Sebastian Maniscalo-Is It Me?', 'Dane Cook-Harmful If Swallowed'.
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