BIG MOMMAS: LIKE FATHER, LIKE SON (John Whitesell). 108 minutes. For movie times and theatres see Movies. Rating: N
After Tyler Perry ignited some interest in the men-in-drag formula with his smack-talking Madea, Martin Lawrence continues to drag that shtick through the mud with Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.
In this second witless sequel, Lawrence reprises his role as FBI Agent Malcolm Turner, once again donning the muumuu and rolls upon rolls of latex as the stereotypical Big Momma. This time, Malcolm’s accompanied by his rapper-wannabe stepson, Trent, played by Brandon T. Jackson. (Remember Alpa Chino from Tropic Thunder?) Witnesses to murder, the two fat-suit-clad men hide out in an Atlanta arts school for girls.
It’s Some Like It Hot with Lawrence and Jackson finding ways to make Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon’s antics as monotonous as possible. Given all the pratfalls and groin gags, I’m more inclined to think the filmmakers are taking notes from the Wayans brothers’ White Chicks than from the Billy Wilder classic.
There’s also a hapless attempt to bank on Glee’s popularity: the girls in the school frequently break into musical numbers, and Trent chimes in with his own freestyles. However, none of the cast has any actual musical talent, which may be the only funny thing about this movie.
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