Movie review: Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son (no stars)

Stars: Martin Lawrence, Brandon T. Jackson
Director: John Whitesell
Rated: PG-13
Showing: Neptune Theatre week of Friday, March 11 - daily at 7:30pm. For more information about film times, call 292-7296.
Runtime: 107 minutes
Comedy

Martin Lawrence dons his fat suit for a third time to play Big Momma, alter ego of FBI agent Malcolm Turner.

So it’s yet another ‘black guy as fat girl’ farce — why does this joke, like the characters in these dire movies, never wear thin?

We’ve already endured a string of these unfunny one-trick ponies from Eddie ‘Norbit/Mama Klump’ Murphy, Tyler ‘Madea’ Perry and Martin ‘Big Momma’ Lawrence.

None of them were good yet people keep flocking to the box office.

This latest tired money-spinner sees Big Momma go undercover at a girls’ school with stepson Trent (Brandon T. Jackson, Percy Jackson, Lottery Ticket) after Trent witnesses a murder.

They have to hide out to gather enough evidence to incriminate the killer before he gets to Trent.

So the boy is forced to hide out as Momma’s niece Charmaine — but the wannabe rapper struggles with both his costume and hormones when surrounded by his classmates.

And if they are meant to be undercover, what is inconspicuous about a 400lb, loud-mouthed senior in a bright floral dress?

Or a chunky rapper with a booming voice and fondness for drab cardigans?

Aside from the ‘hilarious’ sight of the duo in drag, the rest of the ‘comedy’ derives from slapstick, usually folk being hit in the groin.

There is also the supposed hilarity of watching flustered granny Lawrence being hit on by the school’s randy caretaker, LL Drool J.

Watch if you liked: White Chicks, Big Momma’s House.