Get On Up
2014·Drama·2h 19m
7.0
★
A chronicle of James Brown's rise from extreme poverty to become one of the most influential musicians in history.
Directed by Tate Taylor
vietnam war
1970s
biography
south carolina
singer
breaking the fourth wall
domestic violence
songwriter
1980s
1950s
soul music
non linear
african american entertainer
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Where to Watch
Cast
Chadwick Boseman
James Brown
Nelsan Ellis
Bobby Byrd
Dan Aykroyd
Ben Bart
Viola Davis
Susie Brown
Lennie James
Joe Brown
Fred Melamed
Syd Nathan
Jill Scott
DeeDee Brown
Octavia Spencer
Aunt Honey
Nick Eversman
Mick Jagger
Tika Sumpter
Yvonne Fair
James DuMont
Corporal Dooley
Billy Slaughter
Pool Cleaner
Crew
Tate Taylor
Director
Jez Butterworth
Screenplay
John-Henry Butterworth
Screenplay
Thomas Newman
Original Music Composer
Michael McCusker
Editor
Stephen Goldblatt
Director of Photography
Brian Grazer
Producer
Tate Taylor
Producer
Mick Jagger
Producer
John Norris
Executive Producer
Jez Butterworth
Executive Producer
John-Henry Butterworth
Executive Producer
Popular Reviews
112 reviews
Arteche
8.0★ · 05/17/26
***Right about here, ladies and gentlemen,
I want you to get yourself and your soul together.**
**
This man will make your liver quiver.**
This man will make your bladder splatter.
This man will freeze your knees.
**
If you will, let’s all welcome the world’s Godfather of Soul,
Soul Brother Number One…**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!***
I want you to get yourself and your soul together.**
**
This man will make your liver quiver.**
This man will make your bladder splatter.
This man will freeze your knees.
**
If you will, let’s all welcome the world’s Godfather of Soul,
Soul Brother Number One…**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!***
***Right about here, ladies and gentlemen,
I want you to get yourself and your soul together.**
**
This man will make your liver quiver.**
This man will make your bladder splatter.
This man will freeze your knees.
**
If you will, let’s all welcome the world’s Godfather of Soul,
Soul Brother Number One…**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!***
I want you to get yourself and your soul together.**
**
This man will make your liver quiver.**
This man will make your bladder splatter.
This man will freeze your knees.
**
If you will, let’s all welcome the world’s Godfather of Soul,
Soul Brother Number One…**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!**
**
JAMES BROWN!***
Brendon
6.0★ · 04/06/26
Disappointing; there wasn't even a reference to 'Doctor Detroit'.This is a fairly solid movie. If you know me, you know that I'm not the biggest fan of biopics, and 'Get On Up' goes into those pitfalls. The focus can be confusing at times, there are some incredibly cheesy moments (particularly toward the end of the movie), and the non-linear structure can be more confusing than insightful.
Despite that, I actually thoroughly enjoyed watching this. I got WAY more out of this than something like 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' There are some fun moments of direction here, with snappy editing that keeps the movie going. While I do have some issues with the structure, it does lead to some fun parallels that were nice food for thought.
Goddamn, I miss Chadwick Boseman. He lights up the screen as Jame Brown, and he can showcase a level of charm, mixing it with the unlikability of its subject. The other performances were fun, too. Dan Aykroyd is Dan Aykroyding the fuck out of this movie, and it's a beauty to behold. Like always, Viola Davis was spectacular, and the rest of the ensemble had its moments to shine.
I also appreciated how they tackled James Brown's violently abusive behavior. I'm glad they never fully glamorized him while still showcasing his influence over culture.
Overall, it's a standard biopic that's elevated by fantastic performances and a sense of ambition that makes it entertaining to witness.
Disappointing; there wasn't even a reference to 'Doctor Detroit'.This is a fairly solid movie. If you know me, you know that I'm not the biggest fan of biopics, and 'Get On Up' goes into those pitfalls. The focus can be confusing at times, there are some incredibly cheesy moments (particularly toward the end of the movie), and the non-linear structure can be more confusing than insightful.
Despite that, I actually thoroughly enjoyed watching this. I got WAY more out of this than something like 'Bohemian Rhapsody.' There are some fun moments of direction here, with snappy editing that keeps the movie going. While I do have some issues with the structure, it does lead to some fun parallels that were nice food for thought.
Goddamn, I miss Chadwick Boseman. He lights up the screen as Jame Brown, and he can showcase a level of charm, mixing it with the unlikability of its subject. The other performances were fun, too. Dan Aykroyd is Dan Aykroyding the fuck out of this movie, and it's a beauty to behold. Like always, Viola Davis was spectacular, and the rest of the ensemble had its moments to shine.
I also appreciated how they tackled James Brown's violently abusive behavior. I'm glad they never fully glamorized him while still showcasing his influence over culture.
Overall, it's a standard biopic that's elevated by fantastic performances and a sense of ambition that makes it entertaining to witness.
ezekiel
9.0★ · 03/05/26
okay i like this movie idgaf. it’s very messy. but so was james brown. it felt raw in a sense of how messy it is
chadwick boseman is such an INCREDIBLY talented actor. his performance here was dope as hell. wish we could have seen more from him
extra half star because morgan (twd) is in this movie
chadwick boseman is such an INCREDIBLY talented actor. his performance here was dope as hell. wish we could have seen more from him
extra half star because morgan (twd) is in this movie
okay i like this movie idgaf. it’s very messy. but so was james brown. it felt raw in a sense of how messy it is
chadwick boseman is such an INCREDIBLY talented actor. his performance here was dope as hell. wish we could have seen more from him
extra half star because morgan (twd) is in this movie
chadwick boseman is such an INCREDIBLY talented actor. his performance here was dope as hell. wish we could have seen more from him
extra half star because morgan (twd) is in this movie
Caitlin Warren
6.0★ · 01/30/26
Chadwick ate this tf up
Too bad James Brown is the worst
Too bad James Brown is the worst
Chadwick ate this tf up
Too bad James Brown is the worst
Too bad James Brown is the worst
Crystal
7.0★ · 01/11/26
“Let’s go play around.”
“Let’s go play around.”