Tyler Perry's A Madea Christmas

Even though Tyler Perry's brand of humor is similar from film to film, he is a consummate pro when it comes to effortlessly extracting big laughs from his audience. One can look at his Madea films and see a pattern, but still I find my self in stitches every single time. This is one of the trademarks of a honed comedy writing, which is a far stretch from most comedy writers out there today.

Madea (Tyler Perry) gets coaxed into helping a friend, Eileen (Anna Maria Horsford) pay her daughter, Lacey (Tika Sumpter) a surprise visit in the country for Christmas, but the biggest surprise is what they'll find when they arrive. As the small, rural town prepares for its annual Christmas Jubilee, new secrets are revealed and old relationships are tested while Madea dishes her own brand of 'Christmas Spirit' to all who, God forbid, end up in her path. Tempers fly, good times roll, rumors and secrets come out of the woodwork, but Madea is there to help pick up the pieces much to her chagrin.

Others to round out the cast are Kathy Najimy as Kim, Chad Michael Murray as Tanner, Eric Lively as Conner, Larry the Cable Guy as Buddy, JR Lemon as Oliver, Alicia Witt as Amber, Noah Urrea as Bailey, Lisa Whelchel as Nancy Porter, Whitney Christopher as Supervisor, and Steve Boles, as Mayor.

This was written and directed with the kind of expertise we've come to expect from the likes of Tyler Perry (" Dairy of a Mad Black Woman" '02, "Madea's Family Reunion" '06, "Daddy's Little Girls" '07, "Why Did I Get Married?" '07, "Meet the Browns" '08, "The Family That Preys" '08, "Madea Goes to Jail" '09, "I Can Do Bad All by Myself" '09, "Why Did I Get Married Too?" '10, "For Colored Girls" '10, "Madea's Big Happy Family" '11, "Good Deeds" '12, "Madea's Witness Protection" '12, "Madea Gets a Job" '13). The difference between Perry's comedies and someone like the Adam Sandler comedies is that Perry is a much better writer. One doesn't feel forced or coerced into laughing watching Perry's films, even though the two, Perry and Sandler while producing similar comedies,  this is the huge difference. Like I've stated in past reviews, I believe the popularity with Madea with a good deal of people is that Madea says and does things that a lot of people wish they could say or do, but don't have the guts to. With this as a premise, Perry can teach us a lesson in ways that are not preachy, however they are extremely funny.

While this film is not perfect--I've seen a bit better from Perry with this character, it is still a hoot to just sit back and laugh and learn something new all the while being entertained all in an hour and forty minute running time.

Out of 4 Stars: 3                        Rated: PG-13                       100mins.