Sunday, June 12, 2011

Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son DVD

DVD Review by Kam Williams

Headline: Cross-Dressing Crime Comedy Comes to DVD

It’s been said that there comes a critical moment in every African-American comedian’s career when he's asked to put on a dress. Among those who’ve succumbed to that subtle pressure over the years are Flip Wilson (TV’s Geraldine), Jaime Foxx (TV’s Wanda), Marlon and Shawn Wayans (White Chicks), Eddie Murphy (Norbit and The Nutty Professor 1 & 2), Tyler Perry (Madea), and of course, Martin Lawrence (The Big Momma trilogy).
After all, what’s funnier than a black drag queen? How about two black drag queens? That’s what we have in Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son, a gender-bending crime comedy co-starring Martin Lawrence and Brandon T. Jackson.
At the point of departure we’re reacquainted with FBI Agent Malcolm Turner (Lawrence) and his stepson, Trent (Jackson), an aspiring rapper with raging hormones and no interest in attending college. However, Turner will hear none of it, since the academically-accomplished 17 year-old has already been admitted to Duke University.
But before the college question can be resolved, Trent witnesses the shooting of a police informant (Max Casella) at the hands of Chirkoff (Tony Curran), a vicious Russian crime boss who’s searching for an incriminating flash drive. As the mortally-wounded stool pigeon passes away, he hints that the key piece of evidence is hidden somewhere at a nearby girls’ boarding school.
Naturally, Turner and Trent decide to don skirts to retrieve Exhibit A by infiltrating the place undercover. So, “Big Momma” takes a job as a housemother there while “Charmaine” matriculates as a transfer student.
From this point forward, the film degenerates into recycled fare strictly for youngsters unfamiliar with any memorable moments from classic films or television shows. For it takes a lot of nerve to steal Redd Foxx’s signature line “I’m coming to join you, Elizabeth!” from Sanford & Son without even bothering to change the name Elizabeth. Equally shameless is an imitation of Jennifer Beal’s audition in Flashdance right down to the head shaking and foot stomping to the driving tune “Maniac.”
Then there’s Faizon Love’s channeling Joe E. Lewis’ crush on Jack Lemmon from Some Like It Hot as an ardent admirer of Big Momma. I suppose there must be a scriptwriting recession. Luckily, all these purloined plot points will be lost on the tykes too busy howling at the flabalanche of pratfalls and wardrobe malfunctions to worry about the lack of originality.
Just enough goofy slapstick to enthrall the under ten demographic.

Good (2 stars)
Rated PG-13 for sexual humor and brief violence.
Running time: 108 Minutes
Studio: 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment
DVD Extras: Deleted scenes, gag reel, theatrical trailer and feature-length audio commentary by the director, the producer and cast members and stars Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas and Portia Doubleday.

1 comment:

Bryon said...

It was definitely a tense moment when Trent is being tailed by Chirkoff’s men and he slips into the utility room. When they realize that Trent is really Charmaine the gig is up and he’s in real danger. You could really see the look of regret on his face because he was so sure he could fool his dad and get away with meeting his girl. I rarely have a chance to watch TV at home any more as work is becoming more demanding, summer activities to take the kids to and dates with my wife. That’s why I love my DISH Network employee Sling adapter so much that I found out about on besttvforme.com because I get my favorite shows in like AGT when I have spare time but away from home. Now that they are showing the big acts I can’t help but watch the first change I get.