Who's in It: Tyler Perry, Lynn Whitfield, Maya Angelou, Blair Underwood
The Basics: Madea's family is out of control. So the pistol-toting big mama (writer-director Perry in drag) mouths off to them and, if necessary, beats them up to make them behave. Everyone, from abusive husbands to delinquent foster children, is fair game to be knocked upside the head. Then they have the family reunion and Angelou comes over to make everyone take their wisdom medicine.
What's the Deal? Isn't hitting people hilarious? I mean, especially if they're children. Then it's really funny. Because everyone knows that when a disturbed foster child comes into your home and acts horribly, all that kid really needs is a good whipping with a belt. Not like the abuse they received from the other adults in their lives. No, this kind of beating is the kind you do lovingly. Because God told you to do it. And kids know the difference! They like it!
Review-Proof Crap: Just like a horror film. They didn't screen it for the press, and the first screening I attended this morning was packed. It'll be No. 1 this weekend, for sure. Your enjoyment of it will depend on your level of tolerance for lowbrow fart humor mixed with folksy wisdom and peppered with cartoon violence and preachy, Jesus-saturated messages of faith. In other words, it's as dumb as Perry wants it to be. He knows what his audience wants, and he's laughing all the way to the bank.
Not Just for Black People! All races can enjoy the terribleness, if they like. And just as happened with his money-grabbing last movie, they probably will.
Actually Funny Shout-Out From Perry to His Good Pal Oprah: When Perry impersonates Winfrey-as-Sophia in The Color Purple.