Movie Review for Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008)

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Review #617 of 365
Movie Review of Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008) [PG-13] 114 minutes
WIP™ Scale: $13.00
Where Viewed: United Artists Colorado Center 9 & IMAX, Denver, CO
When Seen: 9 February 2008
Time: 7:05 pm
DVD Release Date: 17 June 2008 (click date to purchase or pre-order)
Film's Official Website • Film's Trailer

Soundtrack: Download now from Rick James - Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) - or - order the CD below

Directed by: Malcolm D. Lee (Roll Bounce)
Screenplay by: Malcolm D. Lee (The Best Man)

Featured Cast (Where You Might Remember Him/Her From):
Martin Lawrence (Wild Hogs) • James Earl Jones (Click) • Margaret Avery ("Bones") • Joy Bryant (The Hunting Party) • Cedric the Entertainer (Talk to Me) • Nicole Ari Parker (King's Ransom) • Michael Clarke Duncan (The Last Mimzy) • Mike Epps (Resident Evil: Extinction) • Mo'Nique (Phat Girlz) • Damani Roberts (You, Me and Dupree)

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Welcome home Martin Lawrence! As much as Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is really a Malcolm D. Lee project as writer and director, the film relies almost entirely on the comedic and facial expression talents of comedian / actor Martin Lawrence for this family dramedy to work and it does. Of course, the often hilarious film also benefits from some outstanding comedic performances from Mo'Nique, Mike Eps, and Cedric the Entertainer and warm, personable, and charming performances from the legendary James Earl Jones and Margaret Avery.
Funny and fresh… great balance of physical, situational, and dialogue-based comedy…[and a] healthy mix of heart-felt drama…
If all else fails, season things up with a super-sized performance from Michael Clarke Duncan playing out of type as a loveable town sheriff instead of an action superhero and you've got the icing for your red velvet cake.

Author of Team of Me and television show host, Dr. R. J. Stevens (Martin Lawrence) has just become engaged to "Survivor: Kirabati" winner Bianca Kittles (Joy Bryant). Surprisingly both she and R.J.'s young son, Jamaal (Damani Roberts) are excited when they are all invited to R.J.'s parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary party celebration to be held back in the little town in Georgia where he grew up. He, on the other hand, is not looking forward to it, and once we meet the family, we can understand his trepidation: Mama (Margaret Avery) is a sweetheart, Papa (James Earl Jones) is gruff on the exterior but endearing on the inside; Sister, Betty (Mo'Nique) is a spitfire bundle of curves and nerves, big brother Otis (Michael Clark Duncan) can uproot trees; and cousins Reggie (Mike Epps) can sweet talk $300 for a bag of ice out of anyone, while Clyde (Cedric the Entertainer) was born to be a shady car salesman. What they all have in common other than being related is a mutual feeling that R.J. thinks he's better than the rest of them and a mission to give him the kind of reality check only the people who've known you since birth can do right. So, with enough luggage to keep Bianca in new outfits every hour for a month, they head out from the comforts of their L.A. mansion security blanket right into the lion's den of a family reunion with enough emotional baggage to fill three dozen of R.J.'s shows.

Funny and fresh, with not only a great balance of physical, situational, and dialogue-based comedy, but a healthy mix of heart-felt drama, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins realistically examines R.J.'s future as he grapples with the demons of his past. With good humor and brilliant stamina, Martin Lawrence demonstrates his full range of talents like never before. His character is one with which most anyone can identify as he struggles to deal with a family who sees him as a huge disappointment despite his great personal success.

Tyler Perry finally has some competition
Meanwhile, the lovely Nicole Ari Parker appears as Lucinda, a vision from his past, causing more turmoil for him as she was his first true, though unrequited, love. Every member of the cast, though, stood out above the norm in an ensemble piece. Even young Damani Roberts who plays R.J.'s son was charming in the full actualization of his character. Avoiding crass stereotypes and predictability, Malcolm D. Lee, cousin of Spike Lee, has demonstrated in this film that Tyler Perry finally has some competition when it comes to family dramedies with incredible casts, stories that resonate with all types of audiences, and big box office potential.
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Cast Members
Martin Lawrence • James Earl Jones • Margaret Avery
Joy Bryant • Cedric the Entertainer • Nicole Ari Parker
Michael Clarke Duncan • Mike Epps#VALUE!#VALUE!
Damani Roberts
Director
Malcolm D. Lee
Writer
Malcolm D. Lee
DVD
VHS
CD Soundtrack
MP3 Downloads
Review-lite Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins (2008) [max of 150 words]
Funny and fresh, with a great balance of physical, situational, and dialogue-based comedy, and a healthy mix of heart-felt drama, writer / director Malcolm D. Lee's Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins realistically examines pop-psychologist and talk show host R.J. (Martin Lawrence) Stevens's future as he grapples with the demons of his past at his parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration. Avoiding crass stereotypes and predictability, Malcolm D. Lee proves Tyler Perry has some competition when it comes to family dramedies with incredible casts, stories that resonate with all types of audiences, and big box office potential.
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