Release Date: February 24, 2006
MPAA Rating: PG-13 for mature thematic material, domestic violence, sex and drug references
Written and Directed by: Tyler Perry
Starring: Tyler Perry, Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Boris Kodjoe, Henry Simmons, Lisa Arrindell Anderson, Rochelle Aytes, Jenifer Lewis, Keke Palmer, Tangi Miller, Maya Angelou, Cicely Tyson
Plot:
An unstoppable force of nature, southern matriarch Madea may have finally taken on more than she can chew. She has just been court ordered to be in charge of Nikki, a rebellious runaway, her nieces Lisa and Vanessa are suffering relationship trouble, and through it all she has to organize her family reunion. As the reunion approaches, secrets are revealed and tensions rise. Madea must use every tactic in her arsenal to not only keep the peace, but keep her family together.
Review:
Let me just say, I have yet to see last years Diary of a Mad Black Woman. Its not for any reason really, I just never got around to viewing it. Therefore, I cannot compare these two films, I am merely reviewing Madea's Family Reunion as a stand alone film. If one day, I get around to watching the original, then I will compare and it may alter how I view this film. Either way, Madea's Family Reunion is not a good film, but its not a bad one either.
It has flaws, that it does because quite frankly this film tries to combine too many different situations all crammed into one film. This almost seems like two or more films put together into one feature length which is not necessarily a good thing. Family Reunion tackles the issues on verbal and physical abuse and it speaks about past issues with families. Anyone would say these are strong subjects to attack and should be taken seriously, but thats it, this film doesn't.
Of course, I am talking about that this film is also a comedy because of Mable 'Madea' Simmons, the old lady played by Tyler Perry. Humorous she is, you will laugh, at least a little bit, but with a film as serious as this one, it makes you wonder if it its really necessary. The core for Family Reunion is Madea, so I would imagine it is wholly necessary. When life seems to be on the downfall, Madea is the kind of person you might just want advice from to help you in a time of desperation.
Madea is played once again by Tyler Perry who also plays Joe and Brian in this film. There is no doubt that Tyler Perry is talented. Not only does he act, but he wrote and directed Madea's Family Reunion. The dialogue is good here until it gets preachy. There are times of preachy moments, one particularly comes towards the end of the film, which is kind of ridiculous, but a answer for hope to unite everyone. Besides that, the dialogue is interesting, but this film is very predictable.
You know you will be getting a happy Hollywood ending from the moment Family Reunion begins. Tyler Perry's direction has it so this film is emotional, but then gets you laughing, then to get you emotional and then to get you laughing again. This is a huge flaw, but in a way its accurate in reality because thats how we live. Not only do blacks live like that, but all races and ethnic groups.
Yes, Madea's Family Reunion is what you would consider a black film. It hardly has any white people, I can hardly recall if there was even one. The black race will likely enjoy this film because its funny and religious, something the majority of blacks are known for. However, its up to a person to see if they can handle the constant confusion this film brings upon its audience with not knowing what it wants to be.
There is nothing impressive in Madea's Family Reunion and there are problems to experience. It simply falls in a pit of mediocrity because its messy, it wants to send a message, but instead it sends mixed ones. To call Madea's Family Reunion horrible would be an understatement though because it is not horrible. Its a misfire of a film, that cannot get it straight what it wants to be. If a film doesn't know what it wants to be, it cannot expect the viewer to know what to make of it.
