Madea’s Family Reunion (Full Screen)

 

Picture: C     Sound: C+     Extras: C+     Film: B-

 

 

Tyler Perry’s Madea films just keep becoming more and more popular.  He is back as the woman who never holds back in Madea’s Family Reunion, a 2006 theatrical release (based on the play) that held in there better than some industry “experts” though.  This time, Madea has to take care of a young preteen girl, deal with relationship troubles of two of her nieces (one unable to commit, the other married to an abusive husband) and try to hold back before she gets her own self in deep trouble not suffering fools gladly.

 

The great thing about Perry being Madea is that the character represents the return of the repressed for so many women, whether young, old, black, white, rich, poor or otherwise a survivor.  There is a Christian core to these films, but they are sincere, not preachy or fascist.  There is also great wit and some great jokes that are all the funnier when delivered with Perry’s uncanny sense of comic timing.  How good is this film?  As good as the previous ones and strong enough to attract top talents like Blair Underwood, Lynn Whitfield, Jenifer Lewis, Maya Angelou and Cicely Tyson.  If you have never seen a Tyler Perry film, you are missing out on some smart, fun stuff.

 

Though the film is available widescreen and we received such a copy of Diary Of A Mad Black Woman when we covered that one, but this DVD was a more commercial full screen edition and the result is a lack of definition, color consistency and depth the other widescreen issue likely delivers more of.  The Dolby Digital 5.1 mixes are also off kilter, seeming overgeneral in soundfield and not very rich.  Surrounds are off too.  Extras include four featurettes, trailers, deleted scenes and Perry’s audio commentary.  Read more about Diary Of A Mad Black Woman at:

 

http://www.fulvuedrive-in.com/review/2353/Diary+Of+A+Mad+Black+Woman+(Widescreen)

 

 

 

-   Nicholas Sheffo