Genre: Comedy
Director: John P. Whitesell
Starring: Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, Zachary Levi, Emily Procter, Mark Moses
RunTime: 1 hr 30 mins
Released By: 20th Century Fox
Rating: PG

Opening Day : 2 March 2006

Synopsis :

In 2000’s “Big Momma’s House,” Martin Lawrence had his “largest” role ever, as an FBI agent who is a master of disguise. To trap a brutal bank robber, Lawrence went deep, deep undercover – impersonating a fun-loving granny known as Big Momma. Now, Lawrence is back as the boldest, biggest, and baddest Momma ever, in the mother of all comedies: BIG MOMMA’S HOUSE 2. This time, Lawrence transforms himself into Big Momma to avert a national security disaster. But saving the country is the least of Big Momma’s problems, as he takes on his ultimate challenge – being nanny/housekeeper to the suspect’s dysfunctional family.

Movie Review:

The producers must be thinking: “Hey, since the first one makes tonnes of money, why don’t we donned Martin Lawrence back into the big suit and here comes ta..daa… Big Momma’s House 2!”

For those unfamiliar with the first Big Momma, Martin Lawrence is a FBI agent who puts on a disguise as a harmless old granny, Big Momma to trap a bank robber. This time round, he has to use the same old trick to investigate a case involving the breaching of the nation’s security.

To be honest, no one in the right set of mind who steps into the cinema to watch “Big Momma’s House 2” is going for the plot or the acting. People just want to have fun with Big Momma. So there you have it, the screenwriters have to milk whatever they have with Martin Lawrence’s disguised Big Momma. Put “her” in a laugh-inducing sequence on the beach, make “her” create a scene in the spa, throw “her” on top of the car and kick some baddies’ ass. Most of the jokes came in fast and furious (which is a good thing for a comedy), never mind some are half-baked and uninspiring. And of course, there are a few touches of heart-warming scenes that involve the importance of family values.

If the above doesn’t help, how about a lovesick Chihuahua (pets always look cute on screen) or a cute little boy (kids too) who couldn’t resist from jumping and slamming himself onto the ground. This pretty much sums up the existence of “Big Momma’s House 2”. And despite the fact it involved a highly dangerous FBI agent working undercover, the action sequences are more of the slapstick genre. Nothing too elaborative just very family-friendly.

Martin Lawrence has the tendency to stay sort of a side-kick on screen (see the “Bad Boys” series) and has problems staying on top of the box-office with other solo movie projects, the “Big Momma” series are the ones which Lawrence has his true calling. Somehow it works in a pretty weird way, even with that unrecognizable huge amount of spandex and rubber makeup on, Lawrence works perfectly natural in front of the audience in his alter ego to his credit. And the moment the suit is off, you just wonder where is the cue for Will Smith to make an entrance?

“Big Momma’s House 2” is strictly for fans of the first instalment or “Mrs Doubtfire” or even "The Pacifier”. Carrying a plot which has been used countless of times. Harmless fluffy entertainment and largely forgettable.

Movie Rating:

(Big Momma is huge in the size compartment but shrinks in everything else)

Review by Linus Tee