Tyler Perry’s Madea creation has taken on a personality and life of its own — threatening to eclipse its creator, I would argue — but Perry has exhibited a strong controlling influence over Madea’s onscreen evolution. Madea began as an insulated oddball figure within Perry’s conception of his vision of African American communal life but has, over the course of the most recent movies, branched out into mainstream culture. What better way to make this point than by having Madea leave her comfort zone and bring her brand of the Christmas spirit to an increasingly integrated world (going head-to-head with Larry the Cable Guy)? Opens wide Dec. 13. (PG-13) Not screened in time for review
This article appears in Dec 11-17, 2013.