"MADEA'S WITNESS PROTECTION" - MOVIE REVIEW

Still from Madea's Witness Protection

Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection based on title alone is ridiculous, so shame on you if you are walking into it expecting anything beyond the absurd. The question though is whether or not Perry's loyal Fanbase is growing weary yet of his Humour. His last three Films have debuted far off-the-mark set by 2009's Tyler Perry's Madea Goes to Jail, which opened to the tune of $41 million.

This Comedy's Premise surrounds Wall Street Banking CFO George Needleman (Eugene Levy), whose World is turned upside-down after discovering that his Corporation has been involved in a Ponzi Scheme. Although clear of any intentional wrongdoing, George suddenly becomes the target of an Investigation, is in danger and faces possibly a stiff Sentence. He and his Family are brought down South to live with the outspoken and sassy Madea (Tyler Perry), who might have a thing or two to say about him and his Family's troubled ways.

Playing off the cultural and socio-economic contrasts of White America and Black America, much of the Humour here is not-so-subtle. Much of the Film's more rewarding moments are delivered courtesy of Toronto's own Levy who hasn't carried the weight of a Lead Role in quite some time but is likeable as a naïve Businessman.  Also surprisingly effective is the doe-eyed Denise Roberts as George's Wife Kate - whom surely herself might have drawn upon a personal experience or two as a burdened Wife. 

Unmistakably once again though, Perry is the true Star of it all carrying the weight of not one, but five roles here as Joe, Brian and Madea - plus being Producer and Director. His innate sense of comedic timing and his unwavering delivery are an inspiration to Women, Drag Queens and Gay Men everywhere.  And wait till you see Madea's glamorous Jackie O.-inspired Makeover.

As is the case traditionally with Tyler Perry's Films, all culminates in some sort of a spiritual Catharsis through all the Chaos and Fans will be singing Oh Happy Day even if Critics won't.  Alliance Films releases Tyler Perry's Madea's Witness Protection on Friday, June 29, 2012.