Big disappointments in 'Black Knight'

In this modern version of Mark Twain's "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court," Martin Lawrence plays Jamal Walker, a disgruntled worker for Castle World, a medieval-themed amusement park. Jamal gets sucked into the past trying to retrieve a golden necklace he spies floating in the moat.

Encountering knights, peasants and a real-life castle, Jamal thinks he has wandered into a medieval play. He gradually realizes, however, that he is in the 14th century. Now, he just wants to go home.

Unwillingly entangled in intrigues and schemes, Jamal tries every diversion tactic he can think of to keep the suspicious Sir Perceval (Vincent Regan) from learning of Victoria's (Marsha Thomason) plan to depose the illegitimate reign of the king, all the while trying not to involve himself in the rebellion. He ultimately chooses to stay and fight, stirring a has-been knight, Sir Knolte, (Tim Wilkinson) back into battle. With Sir Knolte and Victoria, Jamal leads the rag-tag rebellion to combat.

Directed by Gil Junger ("10 Things I Hate About You"), the film's storyline and requisite jokes are trite and formulated, generating a few obligatory laughs for Martin Lawrence's sake — sexual innuendoes and "befouled privies" are always good for a laugh.

Lawrence ("Big Momma's House," "Blue Streak") brings his usual slapstick, physical humor into this comedy, playing several roles including a messenger, a court jester and a lord of the court. He dazzles the aristocrats and peasants alike with his self-deprecating behavior and hip-hop charm.

The talent of Wilkinson ("The Patriot," "In the Bedroom") seems wasted in this movie, as he gives a heartfelt performance as the besotted knight salvaging his once-brilliant career. The rest of the cast is a cacophony of one-dimensional characters who serve only as props for Lawrence's off-the-wall buffoonery.

Unless you're a hard-core Lawrence fan, or just seeking mindless entertainment for an hour and a half, this movie is not worth your trouble.