“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins”

Rating: 7/10

Starring:

Martin Lawrence, Cedric The Entertainer, Michael Clarke Duncan, Mike Epps, Mo’Nique

Plot:

A big-shot talk show host (Lawrence) reluctantly leaves Hollywood for his hometown in the south to celebrate his parents’ 50th anniversary. Now he has to struggle with having to rely on his family again and settle the score with his arch-nemesis and cousin, Clyde (Cedric The Entertainer).

The Good:

Judging by his work from the past decade, it’s easy to see that Martin Lawrence, the one-time edgy (and occasionally insane) comic, has fallen far from grace. He went from pajama jamming with Kid ‘n Play in “House Party,” to sadly riding motorcycles with Tim “The Tool Man” Allen in “Wild Hogs.” It seemed as if nothing could redeem “Big Momma” from his decade-long list of duds.

That is until way out of left-field comes “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,” a surprisingly fine-tuned comedy that offers a little something else besides the industry-standard Martin Lawrence banter.

If not for the strong supporting cast of comedians, this film would have gone the same route as any other starring vehicle for Lawrence. Even though there are plenty of patented “Oh, hell nos,” and highly emphasized “damns,” said throughout, this typical schlock is outweighed by what the other stand-ups bring to the table.

The eternal sidekick Mike Epps has never stolen the whole movie before until now. Traces of his character Day-Day from the “Friday” movies are turned up to 11, and Epps doesn’t let up until the credits roll. He’s one of those comedic actors who can make his every scene into something funnier. In “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins,” he’s never been better.

What makes this movie work is the steady balance of screen time that every actor shares. The comedy works well in isolated scenes with characters, but it’s when the whole gang is together that it meshes together best.

Even though Lawrence’s name is the one in bright lights, it’s the collaborative effort which pushes this film the extra mile from shamefully offensive to shamelessly funny.

The Bad:

Sadly, the filmmakers of “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” didn’t save the melodrama for their mama.

Malcolm D. Lee (cousin of Spike Lee) has yet to make a bad movie. He tackled irreverent humor in “Undercover Brother,” and he touched on some dramatic elements in the well-done “Roll Bounce,” but he can’t have his cake and eat it too. Following in the same clichéd footsteps of Tyler Perry, we get a predominately African-American targeted comedy that tries to subliminally add tons of unnecessary dramatic plot devices.

The movie usually follows a typical formula: Numerous jokes setting up for a big laugh-out-loud moment, immediately followed by a frown inducing, sentimental monologue. Seeing Martin Lawrence getting beat up is funny. Seeing James Earl Jones talk about being a positive role model is not.

This mostly comedic film suffers from shoving too much self-help rhetoric down the moviegoer’s throat.

The Lowdown:

Having “Black Knight” on your résumé should have sealed Martin Lawrence’s fate in Hollywood. But to give credit where credit is due, “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” may be the movie that digs one of the funniest stand-up comics of all time (see 1994’s “You So Crazy” for proof) out of his rut. Now all we can do is wait in hopeful anticipation for the epic conclusion of the “Big Momma” saga. Fingers crossed!