Starring: Tyler Perry
Directed By: Frank Marino
So… Tyler Perry made an animated Madea movie. And, honest to God, it might be the best Madea movie since the first one. No, seriously. Hear me out. Don’t run for the door just yet.
There’s something already very cartoonish about Madea, and I’ve always felt it was inappropriate to have her shtick often misplaced in what is otherwise a really solid storyline. I honestly don’t remember all of his movies very well, but they usually involve a heavy storyline, and Madea making some jokes. For example, Madea Goes To Jail features Derek Luke trying desperately to save an old friend from a life of prostitution and jail, and get her life on track. Oh yeah, and there’s a dude dressed up as a lady. Is this a comedy or what?
Madea’s Tough Love throws out the “super serious storyline” (because its a kids film) and goes more with a throwback vibe, clearly influenced by Fat Albert. It feels like an 80’s cartoon, which is kind of impressive. Madea almost works as a cartoon, because she’s been a cartoon all along.
Now, that’s really all the good stuff I have to say about Tough Love, because the reality is that it still isn’t funny. Madea is still too over the top. The film relies entirely on Madea now, and she’s one of the least likeable cinematic characters in history. It’d be like if they spun off a movie for just Jar Jar Binks.
On the plus side, the film runs only a little over an hour, so you don’t have to put up with her very long. It’s not a “god awful” movie, but I’m not gonna give it an F. Close… but not an F.
FINAL GRADE: D+