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Home Subscribe About Us Features News Album Reviews Movie Reviews Past Movies Movie Resources Concert Reviews Book Reviews Top 10 Contact Us	Tyler Perry's Madea Goes To Jail Stars: Tyler Perry, Keisha Knight Pulliam, Derek Luke, RonReaco Lee, Tamela Martin, Viola Davis, David Mann and Dr. Phil as himself, plus Judge Mathis as himself Director/Scriptwriter: Tyler Perry Lionsgate Rating: PG 13 for mature themes, drug content, some violence and sexual situations Running Length: one hour and 45 minutes Writer/actor/director/producer Tyler Perry has a gold mine in his character of Madea, a tall, elderly black woman with an attitude. This time, Madea spends time in jail for disobeying a judge's orders, plus driving without an auto license and beating up three police officers. I can hardly wait for Perry to take his creation on a space shuttle, for surely there isn't any situation Madea can't get into. Along for the ride in this film is even Dr. Phil, playing himself, plus Keisha Knight Pulliam and Derek Luke. Madea was caught driving erratically and without a valid drivers license. Because the officers, with bandages and neck brace in court, did not read her Miranda Rights, she can go free. The judge is furious, but this is the law. Madea's case is one story in this film, and the other is about three public defenders, Linda (Ion Overman), Joshua (Derek Luke) and Chuck (RonReaco Lee.) Linda and Josh are engaged and Chuck is a best friend. Back at Madea's home, two relatives (David Mann and Tamela Martin) try to keep Madea in check, but to no avail. She won't go to church and doesn't believe in anger management courses. It's when Madea has to go to the store and gets angry at someone taking her parking place, that she blows her top and demolishes a car. It's off to the court room and this time, she meets Judge Mathis who throws the book at her. In the other story, Josh meets Candy, someone from his college days and tries to help her get off drugs and off the street. They share a secret and this is really the heart of the story. Linda fumes at this friendship, but has her own agenda. In jail, Madea takes charge (you had doubts?) and befriends Candy. In the meantime, Linda is still fuming. he "Madea films have a sort of joy with them. Despite profane language at times, and sexual comments, there is a theme of families and friends staying together no matter what. Though Madea won't admit it, she needs anger help. Candy, the prostitute, finally tells her story and relates to the tough prison counselor, Ellen (Viola Davis.) What comes through in the family is not to react to every situation, and literally count to ten before speaking. Even though someone cuts in front of you in line, as Cara says, "There is just trouble waiting for them around the corner. Just wait and see." Patience is the key word. I would think that if a six foot five inch woman walked into a room, there would be instant silence. Tyler Perry plays this to the hilt, with a rolling gait and speech that looks somewhat improvised. Derek Luke and Keisha Knight Pulliam relate as the previous college friends, who find themselves in definitely different circumstances, and Tamela Martin is fine as the girlfriend with an edge. Dr. Phil's conversation with Madea is a classic, as is Madea's confrontation with her judges and some of the girls in prison. The problem with this film is that there isn't much to tie the skits together and that is what this seems...a series of skits. Tyler Perry is also a playwright and this production is like a play. We see Madea driving, wrecking havoc in a parking lot, the court room scenes, prison, Josh's apartment and Candy on the streets. That's about it. Hopefully, the next Madea film will have a little more meat on its bones. Copyright 2009 Marie Asner