Movie Review: Madea Goes to Jail

So I saw this movie last Sunday during it's opening weekend. It grossed over $41.1 million in it's opening weekend. Tyler Perry reprises his role as the larger than life, gun toting, short tempted grandma Mabel "Madea" Simmons. This character originated on the stage and was brought to the big screen in "Diary of a Mad Black Woman".

Madea's antics finally catch up with her. After constantly being arrested and released, Madea is finally sent away for a sentence of 5-10 years.

Tyler Perry's films always have a formula of the outrageous Madea character and a more serious subplot. The sublot for this particular film involves a young ADA played by Derek Luke, must reject a case he was given because he happened to know the prostitute defendant named Candy, played by a barely recognizable Keisha Knight Pulliam. Luke's character Josh sets out to help his old friend Candy which is heavily motivated by the guilt of a past secret that they both share. When Candy is sent away for 17 years after being counseled by fellow ADA and fiance of Josh, Josh's suspicion grows about the real facts of her case.

All in all, I give this movie a 3.5 out of 5. There was some parts were I felt was a bit overacted and could have been toned down particularly an important scene including Derek Luke and Oscar nominee, Viola Davis. However, I did enjoy the film.

Tyler Perry constantly comes under attack for making coonish type films and films that so call "portray black people negatively." I however, feel that he brings something to the table that so many white, Hollywood made movies do not. He brings realistic portrays of black people. In his films you will just as easily see outlandish, black characters as you would see upper middle class professionals, persons addicted to drugs, god fearing individuals and just average, everyday black people. Tyler Perry brings dimension to black characters that normal Hollywood rarely does. He is also giving so many talented black actors work that are so few and far in between in Hollywood today. If you are black and your name is not Will Smith or Halle Berry, it is tough times finding a role. So I definitely respect Tyler in that sense.

While people rag on Tyler Perry, he's laughing all the way to the bank and on his way to becoming the 3rd black billionaire.