RottenTomatoes.com
Log In | Register | What is RT?
Found a Bug? Squash It! Report Bugs Here
  • Home
  • Movies
  • DVD
  • Celebrities
  • News
  • Critics
  • Trailers & Pictures
  • CommunityBeta
  • Box Office
  • | Best Of
  • | Certified Fresh
  • | Showtimes
RT Search Powered by Google
help icon Enhanced RT
searches on Google
Click here to turn on enhanced search results from RT on your Google searches.
 
Movies / On DVD / Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

Rate this Movie Help Icon

  • Write a Review
  • Read Reviews
  • Add to List
  • Buy Poster External Icon
  • Visit Official Site External Icon
Bookmark and Share

Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
28 %
Tomatometer
Template ImageTemplate Image

How does the Tomatometer work Help Icon

Reviews Counted:43

Fresh:12

Rotten:31

Average Rating:4.9/10

Consensus: Divided between sincere melodrama and populist comedy, Madea Goes to Jail fails to provide enough laughs -- or screen time -- for its titular heroine.

Runtime: 2 hrs 17 mins

Genre: Comedies

Synopsis: Multitalented screenwriter, director, playwright, and actor Tyler Perry delivers yet another comedy feature from his popular MADEA film series. Largely concerned with African American family life,... Multitalented screenwriter, director, playwright, and actor Tyler Perry delivers yet another comedy feature from his popular MADEA film series. Largely concerned with African American family life, Perry splits his efforts between the outrageous Madea films and other, slightly more serious features such as 2008’s THE FAMILY THAT PREYS. As the name suggests, MADEA GOES TO JAIL, based on the 2006 play of the same title, once again stars Perry himself as Mabel B. Simmons (nicknamed Madea), the feisty, gun-loving grandmother audiences have adored on stage and screen since she first appeared in the 2002 play MADEA’S FAMILY REUNION. When Madea ends up in jail following a series of violent outbursts, she finds herself in equally eccentric company and causes chaos among her fellow inmates. In a fat suit and women’s clothing, Perry keeps things light while exploring signature themes of redemption, such as the young attorney (Derek Luke, NOTORIOUS) who sets out to help a prostitute (Keshia Knight Pulliam, THE COSBY SHOW) who holds a special place in his heart. The New Orleans-born Renaissance man once again proves himself to be comfortable wearing many hats: as star, producer, writer, and director, Perry retains a constant presence but is careful not to outshine his talented co-stars, including Viola Davis (Oscar-nominated for her role in 2008’s DOUBT) as a determined social worker. Rivaling Woody Allen with the speed at which he releases films, Perry manages to pack Christian values, positive messages regarding the power of forgiveness, and plenty of laughs into his quickly produced features. This is all communicated through his signature blend of outrageous comedy and almost soap-operatic drama. [More]

Starring: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann

Starring: Tyler Perry, Derek Luke, Keshia Knight Pulliam, David Mann, Tamela Mann, Ronreaco Lee, Ion Overman, Vanessa Ferlito, Viola Davis, Sofia Vergara

Director: Tyler Perry

Director: Tyler Perry
Screenwriter: Tyler Perry
Producer: Reuben Cannon
Composer: Aaron Zigman
Studio: Lions Gate Films

[See More Credits]

  • Trailers
  • Pictures
  • Going to the Slammer
    >
    M-A to the D-E-A
    >
    Intervention
    >
    Diner
    >
  • That's a Bet
    >
    Trailer
    >
1 - 4 of 6

See More Movie Trailers & Pictures

Reviews for Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

  • T-Meter Critics
  • Top Critics
  • RT Community
  • My Critics
  • My Friends
  • DVD
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 
Reviews
Tomatometer Critic Review Category
tomato
3/5

Kit Bowen

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Sep., 08 2009 03:16 AM

Hollywood.com

N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 19 2009 03:18 AM

Deseret News, Salt Lake City

tomato
4/5

Kamal 'The Diva' Larsuel

Madea's antics held me captive.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Aug., 03 2009 04:10 PM

3BlackChicks Review

splat
C+

Clay Cane

Madea is the antithesis of the moralistic soapbox Perry's movies stand on, which is why she is usually the enjoyable ingredient in his films.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Jul., 03 2009 08:21 AM

BET.com

N/R

Tom Meek

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Apr., 23 2009 03:16 AM

Boston Phoenix

splat
2.5/4

James Kendrick

if it doesn't work quite as well as some of Tyler Perry's previous efforts, it certainly isn't for lack of trying.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 11 2009 11:39 AM

Q Network Film Desk

splat
2.5/4

Linda Cook

I like Tyler Perry's movies best when the character of Medea isn't in them.

Full Review Source: | comment 8 Comments | Mar., 03 2009 08:01 PM

Quad City Times (Davenport, IA)

splat
2/4

Sean McBride

Perry knows what his fans want (that would be Madea) and so his fans should be well-pleased by his latest film.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Mar., 01 2009 05:02 PM

Sean the Movie Guy

splat
2.5/5

Jim Slotek

It is, in short, not nearly as funny as Madea's Family Reunion, Perry's benchmark for freewheeling, low humour.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 27 2009 10:31 AM

Jam! Movies

splat
2.5/4

Michael Dequina

Pulliam lends the material emotional shadings that Perry does not write into the script himself.

Full Review Source: | comment 1 Comment | Feb., 26 2009 03:10 PM

TheMovieReport.com

splat
2/5

Jim Lane

[Tyler Perry's] talent, however heedless and untidy, is real...it's clear that he can make better movies than Madea Goes to Jail. The pity is that, with the enthusiastic audience he's already found, he may never feel the need to.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 26 2009 03:15 AM

Sacramento News & Review

tomato
3/6

Monika Fabian

The predictable, even absurd twists that the movie takes to reach its happily-ever-after conclusion are amusing, as are the smart-ass quips and disposition of Perry’s popular alter ego.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 26 2009 03:15 AM

Time Out New York

splat
2/5

Jeffrey Lyles

would have been so much better had he simply left Madea behind to clown around in another film.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 25 2009 06:59 AM

Gazette (MD)

tomato

Melissa Anderson

As ridiculous as his films frequently are, Perry, a shrewd yet benevolent showman, knows and loves his audience.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 25 2009 03:15 AM

Village Voice

splat
2/5

Ken Hanke

Hokey and ham-fisted, cheaply made and appallingly edited. Even good actors like Derek Luke and Viola Davis are at a loss to get past the dialogue and the characters.

Full Review Source: | comment 2 Comments | Feb., 24 2009 11:16 PM

Mountain Xpress (Asheville, NC)

splat
5/10

Jackie K. Cooper

Two movies for the price of one, but the comedy smashed against the drama makes the whole thing less entertaining

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 24 2009 01:27 PM

jackiekcooper.com

tomato

Maitland McDonagh

King of all media Tyler Perry gives fans what they want: irreverent, pistol-packin' big momma Madea, who's going to make those confused, disrespectful young people see sense if she has to slap it into them.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 24 2009 06:49 AM

Film Journal International

splat
2/4

Wesley Morris

The women's prison dramedy I wanted never really happens.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 23 2009 10:40 AM

Boston Globe

splat
c+

Nathan Rabin

Perry's playing-to-the-cheap-seats drag shenanigans hijack a morose street melodrama every 15 minutes and haul it into places even Flavor Flav fears to tread.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 23 2009 10:38 AM

AV Club

tomato
3/5

Elizabeth Weitzman

Adapting his own play, Perry has pared the plot way back while giving his law-breaking matriarch more room to run free.

Full Review Source: | comment Comment | Feb., 23 2009 10:35 AM

New York Daily News

 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Bubble View | 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

March 08, 2009: Box Office Guru Wrapup: Watchmen Scores $55.7 Million Opening
The adult-themed superhero film Watchmen seized control of the North American box office posting the biggest debut of the year with an estimated $55.7M in ticket sales over the... More...

March 01, 2009: Box Office Guru Wrapup: Madea Schools Jonas Bros., Chun Li
Despite the arrival of rocking teens, Tyler Perry enjoyed a back-to-back stint at number one with the hit comedy Madea Goes to Jail which led a sluggish frame despite suffering... More...

February 22, 2009: Box Office Wrapup: Madea Crushes The Competition
THIS WEEKEND Tyler Perry once again showed why he is the King (and Madea his Queen) of the box office as Madea Goes to Jail slaughtered the competition this weekend. Holdovers... More...

February 21, 2009: Tyler Perry back in drag for another modern morality play. Opens in new window
More...

See All

More DVDs

Top Rentals
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
36% 36% Angels & Demons
25% 25% Four Christmases
68% 68% Funny People
95% 95% Star Trek
14% 14% The Ugly Truth

More Rentals…

New On DVD This Week
Tomatometer Percentage Movie
83% 83% Harry Potter and the H…
67% 67% Public Enemies
75% 75% Julie & Julia
95% 95% The Cove
85% 85% World's Greatest Dad

More New Releases…

What’s Hot On RT

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

Twilight Saga: Eclipse

5 facts straight from the cast.

Disney Animation

Disney Animation

We chart the studio's classics.

Avatar

Avatar

An exclusive look at the human hardware.

Eric Bana

Eric Bana

The Star Trek star talks cars with RT.

Other News

  • Top Stories
  • Popular
  • Interviews
 
 

Comments

 
 
Top Stories
Headlines Comments
  
  • Cameron Explains Blue Avatar Aliens Source: MTV
12
  • Matt Damon Expects Greengrass to Return for Fourth Bourne Source: Collider.com
4
  • Burton's Dark Shadows Rising in 2010 Source: Sci Fi Wire
2
  • Exclusive: The World of Where the Wild Things Are
27
  • Peter Jackson Talks Hobbit, LotR Blu-ray Source: Collider.com
20
  • Woman Jailed for Filming New Moon Screening Source: Chicago Sun-Times
17
  • McG Has Plans for Fifth and Sixth Terminator Movies Source: Gizmodo
201
  • Spielberg Hops Away from Harvey Source: Variety
22
  • Tarantino Could Have Directed Green Lantern Source: MTV
24
  • Will Duvall be Gilliam's Don Quixote? Source: Collider.com
26
Popular
Headlines Comments
  
  • Total Recall: Natalie Portman's Best Movies
83
  • Five Favorite Films with Jason Reitman
57
  • Critics Consensus: Everybody's Fine Is Just OK
50
  • 10 Horrifically Profitable Films
46
  • Sundance 2010: RT's 10 Most Anticipated Movies
41
  • Five Favorite Films with Jesse Ventura
40
  • Weekly Ketchup: Tron Team to Remake The Black Hole
37
  • Box Office Guru Wrapup: The Blind Side Takes the Lead
29
  • Awards Tour: National Board of Review Winners List!
28
  • Friday Harvest: Iron Man 2, Harry Potter, and more!
24
Interviews
Headlines Comments
  
  • Five Favorite Films With Avatar's Sam Worthington
24
  • Director Ruben Fleischer Talks Zombieland
2
  • "I Don't Hate Women": Lars von Trier on Antichrist
17
  • Eric Bana talks Love the Beast - RT Interview
12
  • Fight Club Sound Designer Reflects on Film's 10th Anniversary
23
  • James Schamus talks Taking Woodstock - RT Interview
8
  • John Hurt Talks Harry Potter, Quentin Crisp and Alien - The RT Interview
15
  • Terry Gilliam Talks Doctor Parnassus
22
  • Wes Anderson Talks Fantastic Mr. Fox - RT Interview
9
  • Wolverine Creator Len Wein Talks About the Film
28
 
 

Sponsored Links

Around The Network

  • Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail at Rotten Tomatoes
  • Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail at IGN

Fresh Links

Featured
RT on YouTube
RT on YouTube External Link

Subscribe to RT's YouTube channel and don't miss a second of our cracking video content.

RT on Twitter
RT on Twitter External Link

Follow Rotten Tomatoes and join us as we tweet about the week's releases.

 
 
About| Site Map| Help| RT To Go| Contact Us| Critics Submission| Linking to RT| Licensing| Movie List| Celebs List| Newsletter
IGN Logo

IGN.com | GameSpy | Comrade | Arena | FilePlanet | GameSpy Technology
TeamXbox | Planets | Vaults | VE3D | CheatsCodesGuides | GameStats | GamerMetrics
AskMen.com | Rotten Tomatoes | Direct2Drive | Green Pixels


By continuing past this page, and by the continued use of this site, you agree to be bound by and abide by the User Agreement.
Copyright 1998-2009, IGN Entertainment, Inc. About IGN | Support | Advertise | Privacy Policy | User Agreement | Subscribe to RT's XML feed! IGN RSS Feeds
IGN's enterprise databases running Oracle, SQL and MySQL are professionally monitored and managed by Pythian Remote DBA
Certain product data ©1995-present Muze, Inc. For personal use only. All rights reserved.