Review by Nathan Chandler for The Mungles on Movies

Copyright 2008 Mungleshow Productions. All rights reserved. Used by permission.

  After a long hiatus from his southern family roots, Roscoe Jenkins (Martin Lawrence) returns home for his parent's 50th anniversary with his trophy-wife-to- be (Joy Bryant) and a popular talk show attached to his hip. Roscoe's Hollywood pride is quickly shot down as he endures the relentless bantering from his eccentric family, the tenacity of mother nature, and a high school crush (Nicole Ari Parker) that reminds him of what could have been. It takes all of this and more to make Roscoe face whether he embraces his family roots or continues to indulge in his self-help "Team of Me" philosophy.

WHRJ stands out more because of its very talented all- star cast versus the plot. You know what's going to happen, but that's okay, because you get more wrapped into how the characters will react versus what they will ultimately do. Lawrence, who is usually over-the-top, does well as the straight man and lets the supporting cast around him shine, which in turn strengthens his character.

  It was great to see James Earl Jones again with his booming voice, which fits so comfortably in the traditional father role in which he plays. The biggest laughs come from Mike Epps who plays Roscoe's cousin, Reggie. His improvisational nature and one- liners make you smile in anticipation of what he is going to do next. Michael Clarke Duncan, Mo'Nique and Cedric the Entertainer are all seasoned pros who make Joy Bryant look like a tadpole amongst sharks. She almost makes the film unwatchable by taking her "black Paris Hilton" persona too much to heart and becomes as unbearable as the character she is supposed to be.

  WHRJ doesn't contain any surprises and some of the physical humor falls flat (no pun intended), but I enjoyed how it conveyed its message of the importance of family and embracing your true self. It's not a film chock full of language and innuendo, but the few sexual jokes/scenes push its PG-13 rating to the limit, so be aware that those scenes exist. If you enjoy a good laugh and want to fulfill a light-hearted mood, Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins should leave a pleasant smile on your face. I give it 3.5 out of 5 obstacle courses

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Nathan Chandler is a video producer and editor who lives in the heart of Dallas. He has a knack for making awesome mix CDs and has a vast knowledge for movie trivia. When Nathan isn't writing or producing short films on the side, he is wishing he was on Survivor, rooting for the Cowboys, or making sweet tea runs to Chick-fil-a. You can reach Nathan at his blog. Nathan also co-hosts The Film Alcove Podcast. Check it out!