For some bizarre reason, many “movie critics” do not like Tyler Perry, and especially his Madea movies. I really don’t understand it – I find them highly entertaining and very funny. Just as an example. That dump Rotten Tomatoes had this movie rated at only 26% approval. We shall see how CK’s rating compares.
Early in the movie we met three young ladies: two sisters, Vanessa, played by Lisa Anderson and Lisa, played by Rochelle Aytes as Lisa, and their friend. I’m a tell you what, they were three mighty fine ladies. And then they went to a spa in skimpy bikinis where there were other women in skimpy bikinis… Woooo! I got my own self hot telling that story! And yet another episode of… guess the reference!
Anywho, Tyler Perry weaved his usual magic in this Madea movie. Of course, Tyler played multiple characters, in this one he played Madea and Uncle Joe with heavy makeup, and Brian without. It basically followed multiple stories with the Madea family – one with Madea taking in a foster child Nikki, played by Keke Palmer. The other involved Madea’s niece Lisa and her tumultuous fiancé Carlos, played by Blair Underwood, and her mother Victoria, played by Lynn Whitfield. The movie concluded with a family reunion at Aunt Ruby’s place (played by Georgia Allen) and finally the wedding. There was serious drama, interwoven with terrific comedy, especially whenever Madea or Uncle Joe appeared on the screen. It’s two two two movies in one! The Certs of movies! I have to tell you, I laughed so hard during some of the Madea scenes, I almost gagged. Have you experienced this – laughing so hard after several hits of great weed that you start coughing? And then alternatively laugh and cough so hard that you gag? When this happens to me whilst watching a movie, it tells me this is frickin’ hilarious.
As a bonus, we learned something new about Madea – she shot Tupac! Also, she said, “What in the HAIL?” at least once in this movie. Hey, that’s my line – and I stole it from Brendan Fraser’s movie Bedazzled from 2000 – the scene where he was a huge, successful basketball player and very happy with that wish until he realized the devil gave him a tiny dick. He kept saying, ‘What the HAIL?”
At the end, Myrtle’s (played by Cicely Tyson) speech about family at the reunion was incredibly moving and poignant. And really tied together the theme of a well-executed dramedy.
No need to yammer on about this one, if you want to laugh, watch it. 7 Uncle Joe tokes out of 9.
PS Don’t forget to watch the blooper/post-credit clips. Always hilarious!