Madea's back and better than ever. After a blink-and-you-miss-it performance in 'Meet The Browns,' Tyler Perry has brought back the zest in the character that made him a household name.
While the film, which stars Perry, Derek Luke, recent Oscar-nominated actress Viola Davis and the very grown up Keisha Knight Pulliam, isn't perfect, Perry's Madea is the component that holds the film together. She provides enough laughs and wisdom to please all audiences.
When last seen in 'Meet the Browns,' Madea was in a high-speed freeway chase with the cops. In this film, Madea is now in court, facing Judge Mablean for the umpteenth time.
Elsewhere, Assistant District Attorney Joshua Hardaway and his colleagues are trying to avoid taking on Madea's case. Hardaway also excuses himself from another case in which he knows the defendant, a young prostitute named Candy (Knight Pulliam). Reluctantly, his fiancé (Linda Overman) takes the case and is not keen on Josh devoting time to putting Candy back on the straight and narrow path.
When circumstances put Madea and Candy in the same jail, only Madea can bring enough strength and wisdom to get them and other wrongfully sentenced women through their crises.
Loosely adapted from his play with the same title, the message is the same but the plot is different. One thing is certain. This is the funniest Madea film so far. As with his other films, there's always some melodrama concerning battered women and abuse, with Madea ready to save the day. Back in drag and aiming to please, Perry is just a hilarious in every shape and form. If you weren't a fan of the franchise before, then get on the bandwagon.
The flaw in the film comes from the subplot with Luke, and Knight Pulliam. Perry takes liberties with circumstances that never seem plausible. Didn't know you can reach a district attorney on his cell phone by calling 911. In letting the world know she's all grown and nearing 30, Knight Pulliam boldly takes on the role of a prostitute and does a decent job in playing the role.
Credit goes to Perry for giving screen time to plenty of newcomers such as Ion Overman, Ronreaco Lee, Aisha Hinds, and Bobbi Baker. Each made their own mark in the film, with Overman and Lee standing out. In a strong supporting role, Davis is just as good as she was in 'Doubt.' There are plenty of cameos, with Dr. Phil standing apart from the rest. The heart and soul of the film is of course Madea. In playing Joe, Brian, and Madea, Perry's act never gets tired. His films always deliver a message and a laugh. In this one, there's plenty to go around.
February 2009
