Madea’s Back! Unfortunately she’s going to jail.
Director, writer and producer Tyler Perry brings this infamous character back to Front Street for the latest installment of his motion picture empire.
After a brief hiatus, Madea has returned in “Madea Goes to Jail.”
Madea’s violent, crazed antics finally catch up with her, and after several slaps on the wrist, Madea is sentenced to five to 10 years in the slammer.
Derrick Luke also makes an appearance as Joshua, an assistant district attorney, engaged to Madea’s prosecutor.
Joshua reunites with a childhood friend, Candy, played by Keisha Knight Pulliam, a drug-addicted prostitute also being prosecuted by his fiancé.
Madea befriends Candy in jail as they both learn to forgive and better themselves.
Candy is the only link between Madea and the lawyers in the cast.
During most of the movie Candy experienced some sort of tragedy, and Joshua would rescue her.
The next scene would always be more of Madea’s “shoot ‘em up” behavior, until they both end up in jail.
Loosely based on the play “Madea Goes to Jail,” there is a recurring underlying lesson.
This movie includes Perry’s usual financial, emotional and spiritual drama.
Despite the plot’s predictability, the established characters are so endearing it’s easy to appreciate it anyway.
Unlike Perry’s past films, there are very few relationships built between the characters.
In fact, most of the scenes are very distinct, as though there are two separate plots, until late in the film.
Some familiar faces include Madea’s over-the-top family members.
Cora, played by Tamila Mann, Brown, played by David Mann, and Joe, played by Tyler Perry, all make appearances.
Madea’s family supports her as well as fills in the blanks with spiritual and comedic relief.
Sadly, the lawyers in the film provide little humor to the story.
The movie tends to be a one-man show. Brown’s vocabulary and Christian humor seemed dry and over done.
The remaining characters were excessively troubled and unjustly full of drama.
The audience needed more versatility from the other characters.
Madea’s gags were forced to carry the whole cast.
Several established stars make cameos in the film.
Judge Mabeline Ephraim, Judge Greg Mathis, Steve Harvey, Tom Joyner, the cast of The View, and Dr. Phil McGraw all get some screen time.
Madea did not live up to the powerful impact audiences experienced in the play.
The movie made a few honorable points and only managed a few funny moments.
Perry’s growing audience has begun to expect more from his films, but this latest venture fell disappointingly short of eager expectations.