Madea's Big Happy Family...Just in time for Easter

As many of you know, tis the season for the "midnight shows". And my first one for the year is Tyler Perry's Madea's Big Happy Family.

What a more appropriate movie to come out during the Easter weekend. Here is a movie that gives you all the basics good actors, decent plot, important lessons/messages, and of course laughter. This is Tyler Perry's 11th film that he has directed and/or written and with each year I definitely see progression (6th in which the Madea character plays a role). With this movie in particular we have somewhat of a completely new cast (Shannon Kane, Rodney Perry, Teyana Taylor) with a seasoned veteran (Loretta Devine), we even get to see the "Old Spice" guy in a serious role.

Here's a small synopsis just to get the ball rolling...

Madea jumps into action when her niece, Shirley, receives distressing news about her health. All Shirley wants is to gather her three adult children around her and share the news as a family. But Tammy, Kimberly and Byron are too distracted by their own problems: Tammy can't manage her unruly children or her broken marriage; Kimberly is gripped with anger and takes it out on her husband; and Byron, after spending two years in jail, is under pressure to deal drugs again. It's up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam, to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter ... and the revelation of a long-buried family secret. -Lionsgate

For the most part we the viewer get an opportunity to see if this family can get on one accord for the sake of their mother. As much as it may come off as foolish or "shucking and jiving" I can appreciate the style in which Tyler Perry uses to get his point across. We all may not agree with the method, but the end result still keeps us coming back for more.

So many messages are in this movie, you might not realize that its playing a dual role, to teach and to entertain. As a matter fact many of the topics that were discussed probably will hit very close to home (violative sibling rivalry, respect for parents/elders, "baby-daddy & baby-mama drama", rape, keeping secrets). I must point out something interesting about the Madea character. Although she is still her same feisty self, in this movie she seems to tone it down just a little. Her character is so convincing, for just a brief moment you forget about her shenanigans.

As always we get there are messages that we must take from the film, but this one seemed to be more of movie that geared at making you laugh versus being a teachable moment. Now maybe that was the plan, or maybe not.

The central theme with this movie is the importance of family communication. So often we get wrapped up my family does this, and my family does that, that we forget about the simple things. Shirley (Loretta Devine) just wants her family to be together just one last time, is that too much to ask for these days? But until everyone can see past their own spotlight, that will never be accomplished.

In addition to the central theme/focus there was actually some pretty good acting.  Of course Ms. Devine always puts on an excellent performance, maybe soon she will get the recognition that she deserves. Now there were three folks in particular that surprised me and in a good way. Shad "Bow Wow" Moss, Cassi Davis, and Isaiah Mustafa all seemed to put a little bit more "acting power" than their fellow cast mates. Each one of them stood out for me partly because they played a significant role to the family. Without giving too much Davis, Moss, and Mustafa are like the glue that keeps everything together. Then you have some pretty good performances from comedian Rodney Perry (Harold) and Teyana Taylor (Sabrina) who definitely add some comic relief. And we can't forget Mr. Brown and Cora (David & Tamala Mann) their performances speak for themselves.

Now we can talk about the fact that Tyler Perry dresses up like a woman all day everyday, but when it boils down the question for me will still remain "what's the bigger picture?" I am all for one not promoting negative stereotypes. But at the same time we can learn from them, its kind of like looking at a mirror and seeing our faults so that we can correct them.

All in all, its a pretty good movie for what it is worth. As with most of Perry's film all the family can check this out and get something that they can take home with them.

Rating: 3 out of 5 stars