This is the second Tyler Perry movie my family and I did not see in theaters, but you can bet we got it on DVD when it came out. What did we think? It was great - I mean, freakin' great! What do I think now? It's good, though, I wouldn't say it's too great.
Well, let's start with the good stuff. Like most Tyler Perry productions, there's a good balance of drama and comedy. The drama comes from Joshua, a public defender who is engaged to another public defender, Linda. Their relationship - and especially Linda's patience - is tested when Joshua runs into his old childhood friend, Candy. Why is this troublesome? Because Candy, who used to be smart and determined, is now a prostitute. Joshua feels obligated to help her because (1) they're friends, and (2) their last encounter did not end on good turns. (I won't ruin what happened, but once you see it, you can see why he'd feel obligated to help her.) Linda, of course, becomes jealous and wants Joshua to pay more attention to her. Also, there's a bit of a subplot that reveals Linda wins all of her cases by padding the plaintiffs' charges.
The comedy comes from, of course, Madea! This movie really shows how crazy Madea can get! She runs into cars, she forklifts cars, she even drives Dr. Phil crazy! Yes, there's a scene in this movie where Dr. Phil tries to help Madea! It is hilarious! Brown and Cora are in this movie, and they have a lot of funny moments! Uncle Joe is funny! Any scene you have with any of these characters is hysterical! I have a few favorite moments in this movie, too. The scene where Madea faces Judge Mathis is really funny! Did you see the look on Madea's face when he entered the room? Did you hear the music that let you know crap just got real when he entered the room? My older brother says that moment is the best moment in all of cinema history. The both of us also like the moment before Joshua's wedding where he tells his friend Chuck that he suspects something's wrong with the charges Candy received. I love the music that plays, and I love Josh's voice fading out. It's a real mature, defining moment for Chuck, and it's a nice moment. But my absolutely favorite part is the next scene, during the wedding. Look at Joshua's face while Linda's talking! It just looks awesome! But that's not nearly as awesome as what he says! I can't tell you how hard I laughed when he looked at her and said "...You are a conniving, and a manipulating human being, and you disgust me!" Who would think of saying that to someone AT THE ALTAR?!? THAT IS AWESOME!
OK, so there are a lot of things I like about the movie. So what don't I like? Well, Tyler Perry has said in interviews that this is supposed to be a comedy, especially after something as heavy as "The Family that Preys." So what's with the drama story? Now, I don't mind the drama story at all; it's just...how do these two stories relate? You have Madea and her family over here, and then you have Joshua and his situations over there. They're not related at all until Madea and Candy go to jail, and until we learn Linda padded their files. To me, that's not a big enough connection for these stories. I was thinking Madea was related to Joshua or something, but nope. They don't even know each other. I think this connection would have worked if it were revealed bigger and earlier. The connection isn't that big compared to the rest of the film, and it comes late in the movie. I like these stories, and I like these characters, but I guess my question is if they don't relate that much, what's the point in having them together in the movie? That's my only problem with the film.
Also, nit-pick, is it weird to anyone else that people all over the country are having, advertising, and talking about these "Free Madea" rallies? Just how famous is Madea to the public?
You will laugh your head off watching this movie! And Madea also has some wise words about responsibility and ownership in the film. I love it, and you will too. Watch the movie, and be prepared to laugh! BOOYIKA!
Well, let's start with the good stuff. Like most Tyler Perry productions, there's a good balance of drama and comedy. The drama comes from Joshua, a public defender who is engaged to another public defender, Linda. Their relationship - and especially Linda's patience - is tested when Joshua runs into his old childhood friend, Candy. Why is this troublesome? Because Candy, who used to be smart and determined, is now a prostitute. Joshua feels obligated to help her because (1) they're friends, and (2) their last encounter did not end on good turns. (I won't ruin what happened, but once you see it, you can see why he'd feel obligated to help her.) Linda, of course, becomes jealous and wants Joshua to pay more attention to her. Also, there's a bit of a subplot that reveals Linda wins all of her cases by padding the plaintiffs' charges.
The comedy comes from, of course, Madea! This movie really shows how crazy Madea can get! She runs into cars, she forklifts cars, she even drives Dr. Phil crazy! Yes, there's a scene in this movie where Dr. Phil tries to help Madea! It is hilarious! Brown and Cora are in this movie, and they have a lot of funny moments! Uncle Joe is funny! Any scene you have with any of these characters is hysterical! I have a few favorite moments in this movie, too. The scene where Madea faces Judge Mathis is really funny! Did you see the look on Madea's face when he entered the room? Did you hear the music that let you know crap just got real when he entered the room? My older brother says that moment is the best moment in all of cinema history. The both of us also like the moment before Joshua's wedding where he tells his friend Chuck that he suspects something's wrong with the charges Candy received. I love the music that plays, and I love Josh's voice fading out. It's a real mature, defining moment for Chuck, and it's a nice moment. But my absolutely favorite part is the next scene, during the wedding. Look at Joshua's face while Linda's talking! It just looks awesome! But that's not nearly as awesome as what he says! I can't tell you how hard I laughed when he looked at her and said "...You are a conniving, and a manipulating human being, and you disgust me!" Who would think of saying that to someone AT THE ALTAR?!? THAT IS AWESOME!
OK, so there are a lot of things I like about the movie. So what don't I like? Well, Tyler Perry has said in interviews that this is supposed to be a comedy, especially after something as heavy as "The Family that Preys." So what's with the drama story? Now, I don't mind the drama story at all; it's just...how do these two stories relate? You have Madea and her family over here, and then you have Joshua and his situations over there. They're not related at all until Madea and Candy go to jail, and until we learn Linda padded their files. To me, that's not a big enough connection for these stories. I was thinking Madea was related to Joshua or something, but nope. They don't even know each other. I think this connection would have worked if it were revealed bigger and earlier. The connection isn't that big compared to the rest of the film, and it comes late in the movie. I like these stories, and I like these characters, but I guess my question is if they don't relate that much, what's the point in having them together in the movie? That's my only problem with the film.
Also, nit-pick, is it weird to anyone else that people all over the country are having, advertising, and talking about these "Free Madea" rallies? Just how famous is Madea to the public?
You will laugh your head off watching this movie! And Madea also has some wise words about responsibility and ownership in the film. I love it, and you will too. Watch the movie, and be prepared to laugh! BOOYIKA!