The great Tyler Perry debate

Madea's Family Reunion

Geoff: No question that Madea’s family loyalty is one of her most appealing characteristics, but the film where she gets top billing is also Perry’s worst. “Madea’s Family Reunion” was his feature directing debut, so maybe it was just rookie nerves, but narratively this one is a total mess.

There are too many plotlines and too little payoff. One of Madea’s nieces is little more than a punching bag for her rich fiancée, while another is a single mom who finds love with an impossibly perfect guy. Then there’s a third niece who doesn’t even get a storyline. Apparently there wasn’t enough time with Madea busy cracking jokes while spanking her court-appointed foster child.