Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns (2008)

Tyer Perry's Meet the Browns
Very, very, very funny! This movie is for the whole family. Tyer Perry, I know you might not see this review, but you have done it again! When ever you had your plays here in Las Vegas, Nevada I attended, God has truly blessed you with a wonderful gift, to make people laugh, think about what they went through or are going through. I applaud you, keep up the excellent work.[[ASIN:B0013J9KKI Tyler Perry's Meet the Browns [Theatrical Release]]]

"Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns" is great!
"Tyler Perry's Meet The Browns" is great! This is how the story goes: A single mother living in inner city Chicago, Brenda has been struggling for years to make ends meet and keep her three kids off the street. But when she's laid off with no warning, she starts losing hope for the first time -- until a letter arrives announcing the death of a father she's never met. Desperate for any kind of help, Brenda takes her family to Georgia for the funeral. But nothing could have prepared her for the Browns, her father's fun-loving, crass Southern clan. In a small-town world full of long afternoons and country fairs, Brenda struggles to get to know the family she never knew existed -- and finds a brand new romance that just might change her life. The cast led by Tyler Perry (as Madea / Joe) and Angela Bassett (as Brenda) is great! The directing and story and screenplay by Perry (who also wrote "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman" (2005), and wrote and directed episodes of his tv series, "House Of Payne", and other movies including "Why Did I Get Married?" (2007), "Daddy's Little Girls" (2007), & "Madea's Family Reunion" (2006) is great! The music by Aaron Zigman (who also did the music to Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?") is great! The cinematography by Sandi Sissel is great! The film editing by Maysie Hoy (who also did the film editing to Perry's "Why Did I Get Married?" & "Daddy's Little Girls") is great! The casting by Kim Williams (who also did the casting to Perry's "Daddy's Little Girls", "Madea's Family Reunion", & "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman") is great! The production design by Ina Mayhew (who also did the production design to Perry's "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman", "Madea's Family Reunion", & "Daddy's Little Girls") is great! The art direction by Gary Baugh & Judy Rhee is great! The set decoration by Lance Totten (who was an set dresser on Perry's "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman", also did the set decoration to Perry's "Madea's Family Reunion", "Daddy's Little Girls", "Why Did I Get Married?", and to some episodes of Perry's tv series, "House Of Payne") is great! The costume design by Keith G. Lewis (who also did the costume design to Perry's "Diary Of A Mad Black Woman", "Madea's Family Reunion", "Daddy's Little Girls", & "Why Did I Get Married?") is great! This is another hit from Tyler Perry, keeping his streak alive. This is an funny, yet touching movie.

Melodramatic But Excellent Comedy
This movie was the typical story of a single mother who was raising several children all by different fathers (three for three), the fathers were nowhere around, and a relative died leaving her something she didn't know about. She goes to Georgia to meet a family she never knew, and a mysterious man shows up who is attracted to her and her son's gift at basketball.

Cons: 1) I respect Tyler Perry's heart and drive, but I'm starting to agree with the critics who say his plots are predictable and the same. From the beginning of the movie until the end, I could've pretty much told you exactly what was going to happen, minus the background of Harry (played by Rick Fox).
2) I always grin when I see movies set in my hometown, and the Buckingham Fountain and el scene at the beginning had me grinning from ear to ear. However, you will NEVER find a CTA bus driver who would let a passenger hold up a bus or a busload of people who will sit there peacefully. Chicago does not play that type of foolishness. Cheryl (played by Sofia Vergara) would've landed on her butt from a passenger or had the police called on her in about 20 seconds, so that whole scene threw me completely off. It was extremely obvious that Perry hasn't been to Chicago enough. The bus drivers are as crazy as the cab drivers!
3) I will never knock someone's vernacular, and I know Perry was going for a downhome feel, but Angela Bassett trying to speak in broken English sounded so forced. I love everything Bassett is in, but her whole character was awkward. She is an excellent actress, however, everything she did in this movie was too extra. She laughed too loud. Her slang sounded practiced. Her attitude was too stereotypical. I think the problem is that it's hard for me to believe her character is this young, struggling mother who has lived a rough life. Bassett is so elegant and classy, so when she tries to sound more like she's from the hood, it doesn't quite work. I don't know her background, but everything about Bassett (for me) screams corporate working woman role.
4) "Daddy was a pimp" That ho scene was stupid and should've been cut. After the first couple names were called, the joke was beaten into the ground.
5) Cheryl's character was annoying. I hung out with so many Latinos in high school and a good buddy of mine is Latina, and I have yet to meet anybody who fits this stereotype of Latina women. She was too loud, too violent, just way too extra. I wanted her to go sit down somewhere from the beginning of the movie. She played her role well, but I wish Perry hadn't've written her in as such a big stereotype.

Pros: That aside, this movie was as hilarious as all the others.
1) Although Madea wasn't necessary for the plot, I just love to see her act a fool, and it was a pleasant surprise to see the dirty old man that Perry also plays. Those two crack me up everytime.
2) Ghonorrea-ologist: I'm laughing while I type that. David Mann's character, Leroy Brown, is a nutcase, and I love him. Every time he was in a scene, I had to cover my mouth with my coat from laughing so loud at his outfits. Oh, they were just awful, and I loved every minute of it. I hope he doesn't dress like that in real life. And that toupee made my stomach hurt. I was just waiting for it to fly off. He was the ideal character to play his role.
3) Lance Gross as "Michael": I have a borderline groupie crush on Lance, as well as Tyrese. Both are chocolate, tall, sexy as all hell, and have the brightest most gorgeous smiles ever on a man. Any time Perry sticks him in a movie, I'm going to see it. I'm not even remotely impressed by the melodramatic TBS show Perry has out now, but I watch it just to see Lance. On top of that, he was a really powerful character during the tough "decision" scene, could play a teenager well even though I know he's my age (7/8/1981).
4) There was some phenomenal acting from other actors like Rick Fox (Harry); Frankie Faison (L.B.); Lamman Rucker from "Why Did I Get Married?" (Will); and Kristopher Lofton (Calvin).
5) Jenifer Lewis: Straight-up nutcase--Nobody plays the drunk aunt quite like she does. She was another person besides David Mann who made me cry with laughter, but she steals the scene in almost every single movie I've seen her in. Her comedic timing is wonderful!

I could point out funny parts all day long, but that's basically what made me like the movie. The jokes were endless, and I would've loved being on the set. But the plot was something I've seen and heard so many times that I wonder when is Perry going to brainstorm on something original.