Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son (20th Century Fox)
More of the Same
Martin Lawrence was fairly funny and appealing in the first Big Momma movie in 2000. He was even able to hold on to some of that audience with the sequel in 2006. Now, however, the well has run dry and since the second sequel Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son offers nothing new it is a major failure.
Malcolm Turner (Lawrence) is an FBI agent on the trail of some drug dealers. He is distracted by his stepson Trents (Brandon T Jackson) decision to forego college in order to be a rapper/musician. Malcolm is adamantly opposed to this and Trent is just as determined this is what he will do.
While following Malcolm to try to get him to sign his music contract as his guardian, Trent stumbles into a drug bust that goes wrong. This sets up Malcolm and Trent having to go undercover to try to solve the case. They become Big Momma and her niece Charmaine. They also have to hide out in a girls school for the arts that is located in Atlanta.
Lawrence gives it his best shot but the role of Big Momma is not as unique and funny as it was originally. Maybe he has a Madea Complex and has been overwhelmed by Tyler Perrys success in drag. In any event the funniness of this big woman is pared down and audiences will find themselves looking desperately for the next laugh.
Jackson adds nothing to the movie. He should be a fun cohort for Lawrence but instead is just a drag on his drag routine. No one in the supporting cast adds anything with Jessica Luca and Ana Ortiz coming off the worst. Wrong! Poor Sherri Shepherd, who is in the film for a cameo, comes off the worst.
The film is rated PG-13 for profanity and mild violence.
This movie seems fragmented and out of sorts. The plot makes very little sense and there seem to be storylines that head into nothingness. The villains in the movie arent to be taken seriously and believability in any part of the script flies out the window. Even comedies need to be a little bit realistic.
The one good thing is how great the city of Atlanta looks. Plus Agnes Scott College shows its charm even though disguised as the Girls School For the Arts. So even if I didnt like the story I sure enjoyed the scenery.
This movie is Big Momma #3 and as the sequels have added up the entertainment value has dropped down. Another edition would be a complete waste of time and talent. It is time for Martin Lawrence to move on to other things. He is too big a talent to be wasted in poor efforts such as this one.
I scored Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son an inherited 4 out of 10.
