Big Momma's House 2

Rating PG Formats DVD Genre comedy Starring Emily Procter, Mark Moses, Kat Dennings, Chloe Grace Moretz, Marisol Nichols Directed by John P. Whitesell Publisher 20th Century Fox External Links Official Big Momma's House 2 Website Official 20th Century Fox Website

At one point in film history, the concept of a man dressing up in drag was a thing of comedic genius. Just look at Tootsie, Some Like It Hot and The World According to Garp. Nowadays, it feels more like an act of desperation, an overused and worn out plot fixture that serves as an easy way out for writers and directors who are in the industry for the sake of a paycheck. What makes it even sadder is the fact that the film studios use this premise as an assembly-line mold and churn out numerous films. Sorority Boys, White Chicks, The Hot Chick, the beat goes on and on. Surprisingly, they still bring in a little fortune at the box office. That is probably the only reason why Big Momma's House 2, the sequel to another film of this nature, was ever thought of and produced.

Martin Lawrence, who has recently followed the tao of Eddie Murphy by starring mainly in light-hearted, family-oriented comedies, returns as FBI agent Malcom Turner. When Turner discreetly learns of a computer company executive's (Mark Moses) plan to hack into a military database, Turner decides to once again go undercover as the overweight southern matriarch, Big Momma. After landing a job as a nanny in the suspect's household, Turner not only has to thwart the scheme but he now also has to care for the guy's three children. On top of that, he has to keep everything hush-hush from his pregnant wife (Nia Long).

The back of the DVD case guaranteed non-stop laughs. To say I was denied of such a guarantee was an understatement. What I was given instead was a film laced with the same cheap gags and clichés that have been dispensed for the last 10 years. Littered with fat jokes and stupid kid jokes and super sugary family values fluff, Big Momma's House 2 is about as original and inspiring as Paris Hilton's life. The once-promising Martin Lawrence again dons the fat suit in a frantic attempt to cash in on his dying career, coming off more obnoxious as ever. I hate to say it, but it looks like he is bordering into Rob Schneider territory Going over director John Whitesell's resume (which includes such epics like Malibu's Most Wanted and See Spot Run), it comes as no surprise that this film would be part of a track record of mediocrity. However, if you find fat suits and anything that involves the belittling of those who are obese or if you are a 15-year old kid, you'll probably ignore everything that I'm saying here and hail this movie as "freakin' awesome!" The only thing astonishing about Big Momma's House 2 was the amount of money it scored at the box office ($70 Million). With the high cost of ticket prices nowadays, it is amazing what people will actually spend their money on.

As for the special features, there is a commentary track with the director, producer John Friendly and actor Zachary Levi. To listen to this commentary would mean that I would have to view this film again! What exactly would these guys have to say that is so interesting? How in the hell are they going to help me clear my mind and understand the cultural and cinematic values of Big Momma's House 2? I guess I will never find out. "Big Momma's Secrets" is an 8-minute segment that focuses on that "amazing" fat suit. I'm sick of fat suits. I want to go to Hollywood, steal every fat suit ever made and burn them!! There are also 12 extended and deleted scenes with optional commentary. Um...yeah... I watched a few of them but then the fresh paint in my bathroom began to dry. I was totally distracted.

At one time, many of us (myself included) believed Martin Lawrence to be the man who will carry the comedic torch and shine alongside Eddie Murphy, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. His stand-up was great, and his TV sitcom "Martin" was quite entertaining. Unfortunately, this claim never came to pass. Instead he will share the light with Rob Schneider, Jim Breuer and Harland Williams as once potential comedians who dropped the ball and now dwindle in bad movie land. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to fulfill the outwardly impossible task of giving this movie away. My life and my reputation are now at risk.