Review of Boo! A Madea Halloween (2016) by Sandra L — 26 Oct 2016

To cost 20 million dollars ('Boo!'), this film was ridiculously underproduced. Shoddy camera work and even shoddier sets liked the film's appearance to that of an off-off-Broadway play, which in itself is ironic, seeing as this is Perry's second Madea film that was not adapted from a stage play. ('Boo!') And therein lies the problem, in my opinion, Perry's best films have made the transition from stage to screen. His most acclaimed film to date, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself" starring Taraji P. Henson, was adapted from a play. ('Boo!') Perry has deviated from a winning formula for sake of cash, how else can he explain his latest critical bomb?

The movie's saving grace was what most critics hate about the Madea franchise: Madea. (I believe professional critics have a tendency to praise horrifically, dull movies.) Madea was, as always, funny. Perry, for all his faults, has created a phenomenal character that resonates with audiences, but even she can't distract from a piss poor plot and her young co-stars' bad acting.

The young actors were stale in their parts and often annoying. Their performances held greater semblance to an SNL comedy skit than a serious film, and it was a bad skit at that. But what more can be expected from a cast of social media 'stars'? Yousef Erakat, aka FouseyTUBE, has no place on the big screen. His frat house president alterego read more desperate than douchey. Liza Koshy, I will say, has potential going forward in similar typecast 'good girl' roles. Her character was particularly pleasant to see on screen because it felt natural, take notes Yousef.

All that to say, ??.