Directed By: John Whitesell
Written By: Don Rhymer
Based on Characters Created by: Daryl Quarles
Cinematography By: Mark Irwin
Editor: Priscilla Nedd-Friendly
Cast: Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Kat Dennings, Emily Procter, Chloe Grace Moretz, Zachary Levi, Mark Moses, Marisol Nichols, Dan Lauria, Kevin Durand, Jessica, White, Shanna Moakler, William Ragsdale
An FBI agent reprises his disguise as a corpulent old lady and takes a job as a nanny in a crime suspect's house.
This is a movie that you either look at as insulting or entertainment. It really depends on the individual.
While these films are made to please all audience and families the first film had more of an edge and looking. Back at it a more pedigreed cast by now. This film feels inevitable but still unnecessary, watered down and washed out. With the locations seeming basic and cheap and anonymous. As well as big momma's make-up looking worse and unimpressive. Maybe as there are more scenes out in the open or it could be the lighting
The films humor is more broad and less urban. As there is less a comedic voice or voices shining through and less challenging physical comedy, instead relying on Martin Lawrence being more stuck in his fat suit and helping the family come together. Which feels like cloying. Even with uncredited rewrites by screen writers such as Nicholas Stoller (FIVE YEAR ENGAGEMENT) and Lowell Ganz & Babaloo Mandel (PARENTHOOD) The film also seems more made for universal crossover appeal. Even though the first film was pretty universal it seemed to focus more on an African-American community and maybe was more popular amongst that community because of that. Though as with most films it was all inclusive.
This film seems more white washed and derivative that the first film. Which at least also had a more recognizable cast.
The film has another crime story in the background that is generic and never really feels important or dangerous, unfortunately it is never interesting either. As it is only a plot point and a weak one to bring on the action.
The film feels like Martin Lawrence is stuck as they could have gotten anyone to play the role. But he wants to keep his box office clout and this would seem to be a slam dunk and easy. Even as it doesn't really challenge or call upon his comedic talent at all. When he is allowed to let loose he is funny, here mostly he is left to adhere to the scripted constraints.
Slapstick is supposed to play a role in this. As that is where Martin Lawrence is the most gifted, like an acrobat with physical comedy. Here he is more channeling buffoonery. Which is a way step down for him.
Which makes the film feel more sad then anything. As it is plain with no energy and seem to play up the stereotype of the sassy Mammy character add by some spice to the families lives and solving their problems inadvertently while doing his job. With a rebellious teenage daughter who is supposedly in love and a precocious little girl and crazy little boy who figures things out before everyone else and usually saves the day and provides cover.
The film has the humor of one of those live action chipmunks movies. That are so outlandish you just give up after awhile and accept your fate watching them.
If you have seen the movie HOUSEGUEST or even THE PACIFIER. This might feel more than a little familiar. While the first film was an obvious family film, but at least it felt deep in some kind of culture. This film seems more like a cash grab and unnecessary sequel very few asked for.
The film tries... just not very hard. It's not as bad as the sequel after part 3. Which actually seemed better funded and filmed, it more suited to a teen audience. With his son also having to go undercover in drag at an all girls school to help him with a case. Which with a story like that might remind the audience of the movie LADYBUGS with Rodney Dangerfield.
Grade: D+
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