|
“ Tyler
Perry - Meet the Browns“
|
 |
Reviewed
by: |
Wayne A. Klein |
| Genre: |
Comedy |
| Video: |
1.33:1 Full
screen |
| Audio: |
Dolby Digital
5.1 |
| Languages |
English |
| Subtitles |
English |
| Length |
120 minutes
|
| Rating |
NR |
| Release Date |
6/28/05 |
| Studio |
Lion’s Gate
Films |
| Commentary:
|
Scene specific
commentary by Tyler Perry |
| Documentaries:
|
None |
| Featurettes:
|
“Behind –the-Scenes”
|
| Filmography/Biography:
|
None |
|
Interviews: |
None |
| Trailers/TV
Spots: |
None |
| Alternate/Deleted
Scenes: |
None |
| Music
Video: |
None |
| Other:
|
Bonus footage,
trailers, Tyler Perry DVD Introduction, photo gallery |
| Cast
and Crew: |
David Mann,
Tamela Mann, Joyce Williams, Kendrick May, Nicci Gilbert, Terrell
Carter |
| Written
By: |
Tyler Perry
|
| Produced
By: |
Tyler Perry
|
| Directed
By: |
Tyler Perry
|
| Music:
|
None |
| The
Review: |
I’m not really surprised at the
popularity of Tyler Perry’s plays. After all, there’s no other
writer that addresses African American issues with the values
of the community in a serious format for the stage. On the
other hand, Perry’s characters are walking caricatures and
play to the sitcom clichés that are dominate on the UPN. The
stereotypical characters work precisely because Perry takes
them at face value; there’s no sense of irony or no attempt
to turn them inside out. Perry accepts them as they are as
well. Filmed stage plays don’t usually work on home video.
Tyler Perry’s video of his plays still have the same flavor
as the plays themselves but the static presentation pushes
them into sitcom territory. Unfortunately, the play just doesn’t
work presented in a 2 hour format as it is here. I realize
that there are fans of Perry’s work that probably are reading
this. I’d suggest doing yourself a favor—see the play or see
his film “Diary of a Mad Black Woman” instead as both will
have more vitality than these recycled sitcom clichés. These
videos are little more than video programs to remind playgoers
what a great time they had seeing the play. ***
“Meet the Browns” revolves around
the Brown family and their squabbling as they deal with the
deal of Mr. Brown’s father who passes away. There’s cheating,
arguing and belittling enough for two plays in Perry’s look
at the Brown family. ---
|
| Image
and Sound: |
Video quality
is pretty decent although nothing to write home about. The colors
are a bit flat and washed out looking. The image isn’t as sharp
as I expected it to be given that the play was recorded fairly
recently. There’s a significant amount of problems with digital
artifacts in the form of pixilation and blocking. The 2.0 sound
uses the format pretty well. |
| The
Extras: |
“Tyler
Perry DVD Introduction” is a five second “introduction” Perry
and there isn’t anything special about. The “Behind-the-Scenes”
footage consists of an introduction of all the actors playing
the various roles in the video. The photo gallery shows the
cast mugging in and out of character and costume for the camera.
---
|
| Commentary:
|
Perry does
commentary on five scenes from the play which is accessible
only through the special features section. Perry provides brief
snippets of comments on the acting, where the actors improvised
although there isn’t any relevation. |
| Final
Words: |
Although
Perry’s popular plays do provide the African American community
with a format that addresses issues that face them exclusively,
Perry tends to resort to stereotypical characters all too often.
Although it’s clear he has affection for his characters and
the stereotypes aren’t presented in a demeaning fashion, they
frequently fall into caricature. This offshoot of the plays
featuring Madea (Tyler’s most popular character and a stable
of his other major plays) plays like an extended episode of
“Good Times” or “The Jeffersons” without the comedic social
commentary. |
