Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is exactly what you might expect. In an attempt to mimic the recent inexplicable success of the Tyler Perry films and TV Series, it's all about African American family getting together and they all have wacky different personalities and enter slapstick comedy, one liners, stereotypes, and sexual jokes. That sounds like a bad thing but it turns out a relatively entertaining comedy, if not a little run of the mill. Director and writer of the film Malcolm D. Lee has not had a lot of experience as a big screen director and I think in some ways his inexperience shows through a little. I mean the film has some good laughs it just doesn't hold your attention very long. The characters are just so overblown and there is some sort of messed up moral there somewhere that just doesn't work out very well. It's supposed to be this feel good moment when Roscoe realizes the error of his ways and comes around but it's not as climatic as it could have been. The very weak romance that exists has very little chemistry. So the film really does rely on the comedic talents of it's star and the physical comedy which does manage to get a few chuckles.
Martin Lawrence stars as Roscoe "RJ" Jenkins. I do like Lawrence, he does always seem to play the same sort of character but he does have great comedic timing and he really is terrific at physical comedy which I love and I have great respect for a comedian who does it right. Lawrence is very watchable as Roscoe and definitely carries the film. Joy Bryant plays the high maintenance fiancé to Roscoe, Bianca. She does a good job as well. Her and Lawrence have Zero chemistry and actually look ridiculous together I think. I suppose they aren't supposed to look good together. Still she makes a good villain and someone you'll love to hate. Nicole Ari Parker plays the 'other girl' Roscoe's true love and childhood sweetheart. I hate to say it but Parker is bland and looks like a deer in the headlights. She has almost as little chemistry with Lawrence and she IS supposed to have chemistry with him. She just looks bored or tired or something but doesn't fit the cast. Cedric The Entertainer who I also think can be a very funny guy plays Lawrence's rival and cousin. He is decent but just kind of does his thing and never really makes any significant addition to the cast. The real charm in the film is the incredible supporting cast that make up the wild family including the incredible James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and Michael Clarke Duncan (who is terrific as Roscoe's older stronger brother.) The two members of the cast who significantly drag this cast down are Mo'Nique as a stereotypical, trashy, sleazy girl who wants nothing more than to have a lot of sex. Her role is demeaning and as hard as she tries to be funny...she isn't. And Mike Epps who is a decent comedian sometimes and even this role is kind of funny but he gets lost in the bland characterization of his character.
Most will find the film genuinely funny and it is but it won't stick with you. It's not something that will become a classic comedy unless you're a huge Martin Lawrence fan. It certainly doesn't seem to hold the charm, wit, or wacky comedy that Tyler Perry's comedies seem to have although I have yet to see one. Basically as a Saturday night fun flick to rent on DVD you might not be disappointed but it certainly isn't something to rush out and see in the theaters. So far following the amazing year that was 2007, 2008 is doing a lot of average flicks and this one will get lost in the shuffle. 7/10
Martin Lawrence stars as Roscoe "RJ" Jenkins. I do like Lawrence, he does always seem to play the same sort of character but he does have great comedic timing and he really is terrific at physical comedy which I love and I have great respect for a comedian who does it right. Lawrence is very watchable as Roscoe and definitely carries the film. Joy Bryant plays the high maintenance fiancé to Roscoe, Bianca. She does a good job as well. Her and Lawrence have Zero chemistry and actually look ridiculous together I think. I suppose they aren't supposed to look good together. Still she makes a good villain and someone you'll love to hate. Nicole Ari Parker plays the 'other girl' Roscoe's true love and childhood sweetheart. I hate to say it but Parker is bland and looks like a deer in the headlights. She has almost as little chemistry with Lawrence and she IS supposed to have chemistry with him. She just looks bored or tired or something but doesn't fit the cast. Cedric The Entertainer who I also think can be a very funny guy plays Lawrence's rival and cousin. He is decent but just kind of does his thing and never really makes any significant addition to the cast. The real charm in the film is the incredible supporting cast that make up the wild family including the incredible James Earl Jones, Margaret Avery, and Michael Clarke Duncan (who is terrific as Roscoe's older stronger brother.) The two members of the cast who significantly drag this cast down are Mo'Nique as a stereotypical, trashy, sleazy girl who wants nothing more than to have a lot of sex. Her role is demeaning and as hard as she tries to be funny...she isn't. And Mike Epps who is a decent comedian sometimes and even this role is kind of funny but he gets lost in the bland characterization of his character.
Most will find the film genuinely funny and it is but it won't stick with you. It's not something that will become a classic comedy unless you're a huge Martin Lawrence fan. It certainly doesn't seem to hold the charm, wit, or wacky comedy that Tyler Perry's comedies seem to have although I have yet to see one. Basically as a Saturday night fun flick to rent on DVD you might not be disappointed but it certainly isn't something to rush out and see in the theaters. So far following the amazing year that was 2007, 2008 is doing a lot of average flicks and this one will get lost in the shuffle. 7/10