|
||||||||||||||||||||
Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins - Review
Length: 114 min Rated: PG-13 Distributor: Universal Pictures Release Date: 2008-02-08 Starring: Martin Lawrence, Margaret Avery, Joy Bryant, Louis C.K., Michael Clarke Duncan, Mike Epps, Mo’Nique, Nicole Ari Parker, Cedric the Entertainer, James Earl Jones
Directed by Malcolm D. Lee
Produced by Scott Stuber, Mary Parent, Charles Castaldi
Written by Malcolm D. Lee
Visit the movie's Official Site!
The movie stars Lawrence as a Doctor Phil type celebrity who preaches his solution of “The Team of Me.” Roscoe Jenkins has quite the life, and the movie opens with him celebrating his new engagement to fictitious Survivor winner Bianca Kittles (Joy Bryant), who embodies Jenkins’ “Team of Me” attitude. To help keep the celebrity couple in the spotlight, they decide to return to Roscoe’s small town home to celebrate his parents’ fiftieth wedding anniversary, but when Roscoe gets home it turns out he’s not such a big winner after all, as old memories and a grudge from the past return in full force. I’ve actually done Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins quite a favor with that description of the movie, because it sounds a hell of a lot cooler on paper than it actually is on the screen. We meet Jenkins in the middle of a celebration where we are told what a winner and star he is, although we never really see evidence of that other than fancy clothing and expensive habits. Since we never really see Jenkins as a winner, the contrast of him being a loser in his small town roots never really settles in, although it is reinforced time after time in the same way we know he’s a winner at the beginning of the movie – we are told about it endlessly. The story is bland enough that the movie feels like it should be starring Ice Cube and retitled Are We Home Yet? Lawrence does absolutely nothing to distinguish this character from any other that he’s played in recent years, other than the fact that he’s not in a fat suit playing Big Momma. He’s egotistical and talks a big game, but never is able to back it up, much like his characters in Rebound or Black Knight. The result is a lot of time watching Roscoe getting himself into trouble, which leads to seeing Lawrence beaten up by various cast members, including (but not limited to) Michael Clarke Duncan, Cedric the Entertainer, and Mo’Nique. Since that can only take up so much time, other gags include (but aren’t limited to) farting, skunk spray, pushing around little kids, and mismatched sized dogs screwing – with the tiny female riding on top. Since Lawrence can’t impress the audience with his acting, why should any of the supporting cast? Well, worry not – with cast members like Mo’Nique, Cedric the Entertainer, and Mike Epps nobody has to worry, as they all stick pretty closely to characters they’ve played before or typical stage personas for the movie. Of course, if you like that you might have a shot at enjoying them in this flick. Meanwhile, Bryant’s Survivor winner has two speeds: bitch and bitchier, which is probably pretty close to some of the show’s real life players, but wears thin through a two hour movie. Even Michael Clarke Duncan is unimpressive as Roscoe’s brother beyond his bulging biceps. The only real exception is James Earl Jones who brings a real honesty to Roscoe’s father. It supports the theory that Jones could bring anything to life, even the proverbial phone book, but one has to wonder how he got linked to this film. Surely he could have done a voice over or two for one of the many Star Wars franchise creations with Darth Vader. Ultimately, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins is a movie of flat, uninteresting characters portrayed by a flat, talentless cast in a boring story that spends more time explaining characterization to the audience than showing them. Sadly, it’s an appropriate addition to Lawrence’s legacy, which is to say that if you weren’t warned away from this based on his prior films, you’ll probably get a kick out of it. As for me, I hope Roscoe Jenkins enjoyed his trip home more than I did, and that he doesn’t come back.
Thumbnails Gallery for Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins
     Social Bookmark This Article Blinklist
 Del.icio.us
 Digg
 Furl
 Slashdot
 Facebook
 StumbleUpon
 Yahoo!
 Propeller
Comment on “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”Note: This website is not intended for use by minors. The views expressed in this comments section are not necessarily our own. Comments that we deem to be poorly worded, off topic, or threatening will not be published. For free, uncensored discussion visit our forum.
Leave a ReplyMAIN SITE NAVIGATION
HOME l ABOUT US l l SEARCH l MOVIE NEWS l MOVIE REVIEWS l MOVIE PREVIEWS l DVD REVIEWS l DVD NEWS l SOUNDTRACKS l FEATURES DATABASE l TELEVISION l MUSIC l GAMES l CELEBRITY l TECHNOLOGY l RSS 2.0 FEEDS l MESSAGE BOARDS l LIVE CHAT l SYNDICATE US l LINKS | CB STORE | GIANT FREAKIN ROBOT This site is operated by Cinema Blend LLC. For advertising inquiries, contact Gorilla Nation. CinemaBlend.com is a private, independently owned website which is intended only as entertainment. The views expressed on this website may or may not reflect those of its owner. Don't take us too seriously. Made in Webta Labs 
|
|
February 22nd, 2008 at 17:14
You honestly have to be kidding me. Martin Lawrence is one of the best actors EVER! His heart goes into his work. He isn't in it just for the money. His personality is hilarious. I don't think you know how to appreciate a great actor. Lack of a sense of humor is the words I shall use for your review.