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Movies / On DVD / Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail
Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

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Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail (2009)

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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]

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Reviews for Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

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21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
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Perry brings his own sensibility to every movie he makes and has enjoyed great success by following his own path. But he leaves you wanting more.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment 1 Comment
02/23/09
Bill Goodykoontz
Bill Goodykoontz
Arizona Republic

If the movie is a mess, it's a purposeful mess, cannily, if not artfully, pushing all the right buttons to ensure Perry will be back for another round.

Full Review Source: Los Angeles Times | comment Comment
02/23/09
Sam Adams
Sam Adams
Los Angeles Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The movie's titular matron (Perry in drag) is actually a diversion from the film's cornball melodrama, and will likely inspire jeers, instead of applause, even from his most dedicated fans.

Full Review Source: E! Online | comment Comment
02/23/09
N.V. Cooper
N.V. Cooper
E! Online

Crowd-pleasing African-American filmmaker Tyler Perry has been heralded as an entrepreneur, a populist, and an expert on the wants of female audiences, but none of that would have been possible if he weren’t also an expert drag performer.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
02/23/09
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

As an alternative to the Hollywood mainstream, which doesn't provide many good roles for African-American actors, Perry's movies are at least a stopgap solution. It's just too bad they're not better.

Full Review Source: Salon.com | comment Comment
02/23/09
Stephanie Zacharek
Stephanie Zacharek
Salon.com

The best parts of Madea Goes to Jail are the title character's motormouthed harangues. The rest of it is a fairly clumsy tale of sin and redemption.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
02/23/09
A.O. Scott
A.O. Scott
New York Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Its comedy is from the do-anything-for-a-laugh school, without even the polish of the Three Stooges, and the melodrama evolves from rote characters and cliched situations.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
02/23/09
Kirk Honeycutt
Kirk Honeycutt
Hollywood Reporter
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Tyler Perry's latest soul operetta lives up to the mischief promised by its title. But that isn't nearly enough of the time.

Full Review Source: Entertainment Weekly | comment Comment
02/23/09
Owen Gleiberman
Owen Gleiberman
Entertainment Weekly

The law of diminishing returns catches up with the mega-successful multihyphenate in this wildly uneven effort.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment 1 Comment
02/23/09
Joe Leydon
Joe Leydon
Variety
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Same old Madea jokes served up in yet another morality tale.

Full Review Source: Common Sense Media | comment Comment
02/23/09
Sandie Angulo Chen
Sandie Angulo Chen
Common Sense Media

Silly yet crowd-pleasing and forgiveness-themed.

Full Review Source: SSG Syndicate | comment Comment
02/22/09
Susan Granger
Susan Granger
SSG Syndicate

Tyler Perry's roles as both populist entertainer and social preacher come into disconcerting conflict in the latest film.

Full Review Source: Slant Magazine | comment Comment
02/22/09
Rob Humanick
Rob Humanick
Slant Magazine

Heaven help me, this Madea character is starting to grow on me.

Full Review Source: EricDSnider.com | comment Comment
02/21/09
Eric D. Snider
Eric D. Snider
EricDSnider.com

Parental Content Review

Full Review Source: Screen It! | comment Comment
02/21/09
Jim Judy
Jim Judy
Screen It!

Obviously Perry's fanbase will turn out to support his latest morality play, but don't expect Madea Goes to Jail to bring any new converts to the Church of Tyler Perry.

Full Review Source: Giant Magazine | comment Comment
02/20/09
Ethan Alter
Ethan Alter
Giant Magazine

Perry's silly beyond 'belief' born again bully pulpit is thankfully upstaged by his former plus size stripper bully protagonist. But the big treat is anger shrink sessions with Dr. Phil, no less, though Madea/Perry's gender grudges get a pass.

Full Review Source: NewsBlaze | comment Comment
02/20/09
Prairie Miller
Prairie Miller
NewsBlaze

Not everything Madea says is gold, and yet the storyline will literally stop so we can hear the crazed crone go off for no particular reason.

Full Review Source: Filmcritic.com | comment Comment
02/20/09
Bill Gibron
Bill Gibron
Filmcritic.com

Stick Robin Williams in his Mrs. Doubtfire dress and have him join the cast of General Hospital and you'd have Madea Goes to Jail.

Full Review Source: CinemaBlend.com | comment Comment
02/20/09
Joshua Tyler
Joshua Tyler
CinemaBlend.com

Tyler Perry has brought back the zest in the character that made him a household name.

Full Review Source: BlackFilm.com | comment Comment
02/20/09
Wilson Morales
Wilson Morales
BlackFilm.com

Madea does go to the slammer in Tyler Perry's latest. Problem is, the time she serves isn't nearly as outrageous it might have been.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
02/20/09
John P. McCarthy
John P. McCarthy
Boxoffice Magazine
 
 
21 - 40 (sorted by date; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | |< << 1 2 3 >> >|
all

Latest News for Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail

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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...

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