Big Mama's Haus

Martin Lawrence goes undercover in a suburb of Georgia as an overweight southern grandmother in "Big Momma's House". It's up there with "Black Knight" and "Blue Streak" as a ridiculous, predictable and stupid yet charmingly funny Martin Lawrence vehicle. Some of the dialog is almost non-sensical and seems to rely on Martin Lawrence's improvisational, uh... skills. Of course, why nobody recognizes that their friend/mother (Big Momma) is being impersonated horribly, I don't know. But that sort of adds to the movie I guess.

The story here doesn't matter that much. Really, it doesn't. Paul Giamatti plays the signature goofy white partner, who occasionally gets pushed around by the neighborhood locals to much comedic success (it is actually pretty funny, if predictable, like everything else here). Nia Long reprises her typical role as the love interest, and then a bunch of goofy physical stunts are taken from "Mrs. Doubtfire" and given a slightly different flair -- playing on southern black stereotypes (deep fried home cooking, going to church, etc.).

This movie is cheesy and ridiculous. I don't think you even need to watch the whole thing, nor watch it twice (though there is a sequel, and seeing that would basically be watching this movie twice). But for what it is, it's pretty goofy and entertaining.

4.5

Martin Lawrence is often trusty in the world of comedy. Maybe I'm just overcoming his awful "Blue Streak," but I felt this comedy--though saggy at times--was quite funny. The premise is undoubtedly implausible. How's a whole neighborhood going to believe that this undercover cop with a latex body that looks somewhat like Big Momma is actually Big Momma? There's a lot of disbelief to suspend. But the gags often worked and I can say I laughed about 75 percent of the time. Some are predictable, like when Big Momma takes a karate class and starts beating the teacher--played by Anthony Anderson--to a pulp, but they still work due to the way they're handled. And Lawrence turns in yet another fine comic performance, with a script that could've used a rewrite but was nowhere near as bad as the crackerjack script he had to work with in "Blue Streak." The talented comic helps keep the movie togehter, with a little assistance from the supporting cast. Paul Giamatti, who was great as Pig Vomit in the acclaimed "Private Parts," is funny as Lawrence's partner. We also have "Me Myself and Irene's" Anthony Anderson and Cedric the Entertainer.

The plot is chaotic, sometimes predictable, and becomes more and more implausible by the minute but the comedy works and because of that we're able to excuse the script's shortcomings. "Big Momma" doesn't deliver the biggest laughs, but it's good, fun entertainment on a lonely weekday afternoon.

My score: 7 (out of 10)

The film talks about the FBI agent Malcolm Turner (Martin Lawrence) , he's assigned to catch a ruthless bank robber and a recent prison escapee (Terrence Howard) . He suspect will be coming down to visit his ex-fiancee Sherry (Nia Long) and her child . The cop along with his colleague John (Paul Giamatti) set up a stakeout across from the home , and Turner posing as a woman , in order to investigate a case , who's known as a southern sweet ¨big momma¨, she is a severely overweight but bright old woman . This time he goes undercover , attempting to solve a case , and he becomes invoved with an unhappy mother , and his son . Disquising as a foul-mouthed Big Momma he must find the murderer before he finds them , along the way he has a lot of problems. It ain't over 'til the fat lady sings! This FBI agent is going undercover... and he's concealing more than a weapon.He's Deep Undercover. On June 2nd he's deep undercover.

This diverting movie expands from an original idea about woman's disguising , but Lawrence and the writers manage to pull it off rather impressively . The jokes are plentiful and is pretty entertaining , the plot doesn't allow for many quiet moments which Lawrence needs to balance out the slapdash . There are sporadic laughters , though too often humour is mined by scatological and toilet lines , but in this movie some gags are agreeable enough . It's a farce with the great master of disguise Lawrence when he takes a make up by make-up artist Greg Cannon and is transformed into fat grandma . The story is fun and interesting and the characters are genuine and sympathetic . Film is a Martin Lawrence recital , using a few tricks of disguise , carrying out complete transformations , as he makes acrobatics , stooges , tongue-twister and pull faces and grimaces . The picture is a vehicle Lawrence , he's a real show man and authentic farceur by impersonating the cantankerous Southern granny . Lawrence like his partner Eddie Murphy has plenty of experience with women costumes and various roles . He is well accompanied by a good cast mostly African-Americans , such as : Cedric the Entertainer , Octavia Spencer , Phyllis Applegate , Anthony Anderson , Philip Tan , Edwin Hodge , Aldis Hodge , among others . The film gets a nice cinematography by Michael O'Shea , and atmospheric score by Richard Gibbs . The motion picture was allrightly directed by Raja Gosnell ("Never Been Kissed", "Home Alone 3", "Scooby-Doo""Yours, Mine & Ours" , "Beverly Hills Chihuahua", ¨Smurfs¨ , ¨Smurfs¨) but he had nothing to do with the sequels , but the film cemented his reputation as a commercially successful director . If you like Lawrence's crazy acting , you'll enjoy this one.

The film ¨Big Momma's House¨ (2000) was an unexpected box office hit , earning about 174 million at the worldwide box office, and received two sequels of its own . Being followed by ¨Big Momma's House II¨ 2006 by John Whitesell , with Emily Procter , Mark Moses , Zachary Levi , Kat Dennings , Chloë Grace Moretz , Marisol Nichols and again a Martin Lawrence providing a recital in a sequel more amusing than previous film . And a third part in which Momma's got back-up , titled ¨Big mommas : Like fater like son¨ 2011 by John Whitesell with Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson, Jessica Lucas.

Old school fun. Action. A movie you can watch on a Friday night for a laugh.

Big Momma's House is directed by Raja Gosnell, written by Darryl Quarles and Don Rhymer, and stars Martin Lawrence, Paul Giamatti, Nia Long & Terrance Howard. Lawrence plays FBI Agent Malcolm Turner who goes undercover as "Big Momma" Hattie Mae Pierce (Ella Mitchell), so as to hopefully snare escaped convict Lester Vesco (Howard). "Big Momma" is the aunt of Vesco's ex-wife, Sherry (Long), who is on her way to "Big Momma's" to hide out after hearing of Lester's escape.

In spite of baffling critics-and not finding many casual film viewers willing to say they enjoyed it! the film was a surprise hit and opened as the number two movie in North America. It went on to gross over $117 million at the box office and subsequently ensured that a sequel would follow down the line (it arrived in 2006). The film isn't pretending to be anything other than the mindless comedy it is. If viewed on those terms then it can be enjoyed. Sure some of the gags are puerile, and Lawrence is an acquired taste, tho his energy and comedy timing are first rate here. But it does work to a degree. It's been done better in the likes of Tootsie and Mrs. Doubtfire, and the plot, with it's boorish romantic strand, is merely an excuse for "Big Momma" to get into daft scrapes. Yet the action is nicely staged and the pace of the piece never sags. There's also fun to be had in watching Giamatti & Howard looking like they just know they should be doing better stuff than this!.

Forgettable juvenile fluff for sure, but likable enough; in that brain at the door-bucket of popcorn-way. 6/10