Tyler Perry’s a Madea Christmas
Stars: Tyler Perry, Anna Maria Horsford, Tika Sumpter, Chad Michael Murray, Larry the Cable Guy
Madea as Santa Claus? That’s a recipe for Christmas trauma for children. Madea, arguably actor-director Tyler Perry’s most popular character, is also the lightening rod for criticism, and no doubt this movie will likely draw a fair amount of grumpiness. But we say bah humbug to that! After nearly a month of parties and shopping, settling in for a couple of hours with Madea will do your heart good.
Madea comes to the aid of an old friend who wants to find out what her daughter is up to in the country. Of course, when the friend asks her to go with her to check things out, in her no-nonsense way, Madea tells her friend to butt out of her daughter’s business and leave her alone. Madea changes her tune when the friend offers her money; there’s nothing the old girl likes more than a paid gig.
This film is definitely not a traditional holiday movie, but as always, Perry pulls out all the stops with his gun-toting, Bible-misquoting elderly curmudgeon. –p.d. lee