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DVD Review: Madea Goes to Jail  |
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Um…ah…er…hmmm? I suppose.
Well, that little snippet of thought is not on the profound side, but it certainly is an honest appraisal of my very first reactions to Tyler Perry’s “Madea Goes to Jail.” Somehow I have this gnawing politically correct specter haunting me somewhere over my right shoulder that feels a sense of cultural confusion.
If “Madea Goes to Jail” were done in the vain of an Al Jolsen parody or “Amos & Andy”, Tyler Perry may be one of the more racist film makers in modern cinema. Yet, his relatively specious and clichéd outlook on this over the top slice of African-Americana seems to haul in money by the bushel full.
While Perry is touted in some circles as an innovator of film, most of what he does has the distinct coloring and blatant rip off of a number of Eddie Murphy or Martin Lawrence films we’ve seen over and over again. There seems to be nothing more than some audience love to see as a young black man dressed up as an old black woman. Throw in Perry playing multiple rules a la Murphy and what we have is a pretty formulaic effort that treads no new ground.
Perry’s movies, whatever genre they seem to take, also take on a familiar ring. While the original intention may be to entertain the audience with a comedic take, “Madea” forays into recognizable territory with a lesson of redemption and personal epiphany.
The running joke this time is that Madea must finally learn a lesson as she struggles with anger management issues and is finally reigned in by the police and must do her penance, albeit, with a comic slant.
Supported with a nice stable of second tier actors, “Madea” is predictable but gives audiences exactly what they came to see. Let it not be said that Mr. Perry burdens anyone with deep thought.
An average feature earns an average grade of 2.5 wigs out of 5.
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