Review of Alex Cross (2012) by Patrick L — 24 Apr 2013

DVD Movie Review: Alex Cross.

"Tyler Perry You're no Morgan Freeman".

"Alex Cross".

Date Viewed: February 6 2013.

Rating: One Star out of Five.

Directed By Rob Cohen (The Fast and the Furious, XXX, and Daylight).

Screenplay by Marc Moss and Kerry Williamson, based on the novel "Cross" by James Patterson.

Starring: Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox, Edward Burns, Rachel Nichols, Cicely Tyson, Carmen Ejogo, Jean Reno, John C. McGinley, Yara Shahidi, and Giancarlo Esposito.

Tyler Perry doesn't "Cross" the path of Morgan Freeman for playing the role of Alex Cross, a character made famous in his books by author James Patterson. If you can imagine this guy in the "Dirty Harry" films, he will be laughed at by the audience immediately because this guy (most famous for his cross-dressing character Madea) can't play him straight.

"Alex Cross" is one of the stupidest, carelessly directed, and laughable movies I've seen in a long time. "Alex Cross" recycles every detective cliche in the book, to the mean police chief, to the police chief who tells the detectives they're suspended, to the cops (male & female) having a relationship, and to even the brooding ex-military turned serial killer (played by a surprisingly thin Matthew Fox).

The first movie to feature Alex Cross "Kiss the Girls" starring Freeman was an underrated effective thriller, while this new "Alex Cross" is poorly made. Tyler Perry as Alex Cross is one of the biggest cases of miscasting I've seen in a long time.

As for the other actors Cicely Tyson seems lost, Edward Burns is bland, and John C. McGinley is nothing more than repeating his own mean police-or FBI chief role he had in "Point Break" (1991). In "Alex Cross", Perry's acting is softer than Madea's wig.

Footnote: Tyler Perry received a Razzie nomination for Worst Actor for this film (also for Good Deeds).