What Do The Critics Say?

"There are hints of Fame and Glee as both undercover agent and teenager don fatsuits and frillies to hunt missing evidence inside a girls' performing arts school. The well-established Big Momma combination of cheap and cheesy chuckles, sex-obsessed banter, and slapstick so broad even the biggest of mommas could easily hide behind it." David Aldridge RADIO TIMES "Since new school versus old school is one of the plot-generators floating around in the amiable, schlocky family comedy "Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son", it seems fair to point out that of all the cross-dressing comedies of recent decades, none has channeled "Some Like It Hot" quite so thoroughly. Whitesell milks the occasional contrived laugh from the sexual and generational setups." Mike Hale NEW YORK TIMES "The inclusion of Trent was an intentional play for teenage audiences, which the producing team rightly felt would bring new blood to the franchise and add a new dynamic for Lawrence’s character to play with. It’s a smart move. It’s not highbrow comedy, but Lawrence and Jackson are certainly a versatile and entertaining duo. Fun for teenagers but will certainly please the original fans of the franchise." Lila Nordstrom MOVING PICTURES NETWORK "You'll be cowering in your seat while convulsively laughing at everything from its bad KFC jokes ("We was so poor we had to lick other people's fingers") to an impromptu musical number involving a rap duet that includes lyrics about a "super-sized badonkadonk." A true rubber-necker's delight, a comedy so inconceivably tacky that it will make you question whether or not you're laughing at the film or with it." Simon Abrams SLANT MAGAZINE

"In this critic's opinion, the renaissance of rubber suit romps can be easily explained by the fact that kids tend to find fat female impersonators funny. It's as simple as that. After all, what's funnier to a child than a black drag queen? How about two black drag queens? That ostensibly means double the laughs lay in wait for the target audience with Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son, a gender-bending crime comedy co-starring Martin Lawrence and Brandon T. Jackson." Kam Williams NEWSBLAZE "To put it kindly, critics have been none too kind to the Lawrence sequel "Big Mommas: Like Father Like Son." But the "Big Mommas" comedies aren't made for old critics. They're made for young fans." NEXTMOVIE "I was curious as to what bounds the humor would set for itself, and also as to whether double the cross-dressing means double the Freudian elements buried beneath this comedy." THE SCORECARD REVIEW "One of the potential upsides of a formula-driven franchise is a product finding a level of comfort and confidence in being exactly what it is. Big Macs, Gap T-shirts, and the latest Big Momma movie have it; their job is delivering on checked expectations, and yours is not making the mistake of wanting better. The closing credits run over the entire cast freaking to the movie’s theme song." Michelle Orange MOVIELINE

The Inside Story When the character of Big Momma was introduced to movie audiences in 2000’s "Big Momma’s House", the film become a global box-office sensation. The fun continued with a follow-up, "Big Momma’s House 2". Audiences around the world responded to star Martin Lawrence’s bigger than life portrayal of a matriarch who lets nothing and no one: not even the most hardened criminals: get in her way. Big Momma resonated with all audiences of all ages, no matter where they lived. "I think everybody knows a Big Momma," says 2005 BET Comedy Award winner Lawrence. "She might not look like the character I play, but everyone has a sister or aunt or grandma who keeps it honest and has a really loving heart. And those are the things I love about Big Momma." Producer David T. Friendly ("Little Miss Sunshine"), who along with Lawrence has been an integral part of all three 'Big Momma' films adds: "Martin obviously knows Big Momma inside and out, and makes her soulful and comforting. Big Momma goes through life with a positive attitude, trying to make things better." "To know Big Momma is to love her, and she has become nothing less than an icon," sums up director John Whitesell, who also helmed "Big Momma’s House 2". "Big Momma has an opinion about everything, and will put you on your butt if need be. But beyond that, she’s funny and loving." The success of the first two 'Big Momma' films led to this third offering, but Lawrence, Friendly, Whitesell and screenwriter Matthew Fogel wanted the new film to reinvent the franchise, and not merely continue a successful formula. In doing so, they opened the film up to an audience largely untapped by "Big Momma’s House" (US$173,959,438 worldwide) and "Big Momma’s House 2" (US$138,259,062 worldwide): teens. Essentially, as Friendly notes, "we’re starting over and making something that is not a shadow of the first two films." Lawrence’s Malcolm/Big Momma now has an unexpected partner: his stepson Trent. The action is set in an equally surprising setting: an all girls’ high school, and several music and dance sequences feature Lawrence, Jackson, and a talented ensemble of bright young stars. "I love playing Big Momma," says Lawrence (who played Bobby Davis in "Wild Hogs"), "but it was really the energy of the script and having Brandon as my partner in the story that brought me back. Malcolm looks at Trent as a son but Trent is becoming a man and wants to do his own thing. Everyone can relate to that." Jackson says being cast as Trent/Charmaine was a dream come true. "Martin Lawrence is one of my idols and it was exciting to work with him," says the young star, who had standout roles in "Tropic Thunder" and "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief." "And when it came to wearing the weighty prosthetics, as Charmaine, Martin gave me some good advice: 'Sit down whenever you can, chill out, and have a good time.' It’s my nature to run around the set and talk to everybody, so the suit made me focus on my performance. Trent is your average teenager who knows exactly what he wants to be; in his case, it’s a successful rapper. He also sees himself as a ladies’ man, but it’s tough to be a ladies’ man in a woman’s body! So he undergoes all these dynamics of learning about women and about himself." Jackson adds that his biggest challenge was making sure Trent could "shine through” the formidable prosthetics that transform the character into Charmaine." Also freshening up the franchise are new and improved make-ups and prosthetics that halved the time it took Martin Lawrence to become Big Momma. "One of the secrets of the 'Big Momma' movies is the tremendous amount of prep involved building the prosthetics, having the makeup tested, and doing the camera tests," says Friendly. For the latest 'Big Momma' production, the filmmakers gave themselves the daunting task of reinventing the already complicated technology and process. Fortunately, the production was once again able to call upon the talents of Wesley Wofford ("Bulletproof Monk" & "Collateral"), a veteran of "Big Momma’s House 2", to design and apply the prosthetic make-up. Wofford’s work was complemented by Glendale, C.A. based Spectral Motion Inc, one of the industry’s top producers of make-up effects. Shooting took place in Atlanta. The location not only restored the aspect of Big Momma’s southern roots, it fortified the film’s musical themes and performances. "Because of all the music in the movie, I couldn’t think of a better place to shoot than Atlanta," says Whitesell ("Deck the Halls"). "The culture and music of the city come out in a lot of the locations, and the large pool of actors available in the area added a lot to the production." Most of the shoot took place at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, which doubled for the school where Malcom and Trent hide out as Big Momma and Charmaine. Other Atlanta locations included Centennial Park, Little Five Points, and Ainsley Park. So who's in the cast? Martin Lawrence is Big Momma. Lawrence began his career as a stand-up comedian gaining major attention at Hollywood's legendary Improv, and shortly thereafter won a performance spot on the popular talent showcase "Star Search". Columbia Television executives, impressed by his "Star Search" appearance, offered Lawrence his first acting job as a regular role on the sitcom "What's Happening Now!" He was then chosen by music mogul Russell Simmons to host HBO’s "Def Comedy Jam", a groundbreaking showcase for young comedians. Lawrence worked on the show for two seasons and is credited with helping expose a new generation of stand-up comics including Chris Tucker, Damon Wayans, Steve Harvey, and Cedric the Entertainer. Lawrence went on to co-create, executive produce and star in one hundred and thirty two episodes of Fox Television's "Martin." The hit sitcom, which ran for five seasons between 1992 and 1997, earned three NAACP Image Awards and is one of several series credited with helping solidify the fledgling Fox network’s standing within the industry. Lawrence has also starred in two hugely successful concert films: "You So Crazy" and "Martin Lawrence Live: Runtledat"; and has recorded the Billboard Top 10 concert album "Talkin' Shit" and the Grammy® nominated "Funk It." As a teenager, Brandon T Jackson (Trent/Charmaine) took an internship at local Detroit radio station 93.1 FM and soon was a guest host at 105.9 FM. As his audiences grew, so did his desire to perfect his comic skills. He began to get calls to work with comedians such as Chris Tucker and Wayne Brady, both of whom, like Jackson’s idols: Lawrence, Sinbad and Chris Rock, served as great inspirations for his work. A move to Los Angeles led to stand-up routines at the city’s renowned comedy club The Laugh Factory which in turn resulted in a series of small parts in films such as Michael Mann’s "Ali", Curtis Hanson’s "8 Mile" and Marc Cayce's "Nikita Blues".” After delivering side-splitting performances at New York City's "Showtime at the Apollo" and BET's "Comic View", Jackson won his first major movie role as Bow Wow's best friend Junior in the 1970s coming-of-age comedy, "Roll Bounce". It won him the 2006 Black Reel Award for Breakthrough Performance. Jessica Lucas (Haley) has quickly established herself as a highly sought after young actress in film and television. As the female lead in the third installment in the 'Big Momma' franchise, she plays Haley, the beautiful singer and composer at the Atlanta Girls’ School for the Arts who meets up with Trent. Lucas stars in the NBC mid-season comedy "Friends with Benefits" alongside Ryan Hansen and Danneel Harris. She portrays one of five friends looking for the loves of their lives, but settling for less in the meantime. Lucas was seen in the box office hit "Cloverfield". Her film credits also include the romantic comedy "She’s the Man" opposite Amanda Bynes and a lead role in "The Covenant" opposite Taylor Kitsch and Chace Crawford. Born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, Lucas has been acting since age seven. She began her professional training with Children’s Theatre Arts and earned theatre credits in local productions of "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs", "Grease", "Cinderella", "Mousetrap" and "Music Medley" series. On the small screen, Lucas starred as Riley Richmond, a beautiful inner city elementary school teacher turned model in eighteen episodes of The CW’s revival of "Melrose Place". The talented production team is headed by director John Whitesell began his directing career in daytime television, where he helmed and executive produced the dramas "Search for Tomorrow", "Another World", and "Guiding Light", winning an Emmy® Award for the latter. Now one of the busiest directors in the world of TV and movie comedy, he has directed and produced over two hindred episodes of primetime television including such hit series as "A Different World", "Coach", "Law & Order", "Roseanne" (two seasons and twenty three episodes between 1990 & 1991), "Cosby", "Blossom", "The John Laroquette Show", "Damon", "Providence", "Jack & Jill", and "Grounded For Life"." His feature film credits include: "Big Momma’s House 2", "Deck The Halls", "Calendar Girl", "See Spot Run" and "Malibu’s Most Wanted". Producer Michael Green who was also a producer on the first two 'Big Momma' movies, has provided personal management for some of Hollywood’s biggest performers, including Roseanne Barr, The Backstreet Boys, Martin Lawrence, Enrique Iglesias, Ice Cube, Michael Jackson, and Limp Bizkit. Green began his career at management company Irvin Arthur Associates, where he became a principal and partner. He then joined Gallin-Morey & Associates, where he managed and developed projects for a several well-known artists, whom he continues to work with today. In 1997, Green co-founded The Firm, a leader in entertainment and brand management. By 2001, after The Firm had generated over one and a half billion dollars US in worldwide revenue, Green sold his interest in the company but he remained involved in a variety of entertainment-related projects. Green has produced or executive produced over tewnty projects for film and television, including two other Martin Lawrence movie comedies ("Black Knight" & "National Security") and "College Road Trip". Priscilla Nedd-Friendly A.C.E. (Editor) began her long and successful career assisting editors of major films, "American Gigolo" and "Urban Cowboy", which led to her big break working as associate editor on "An Officer and a Gentleman." Matthew Fogel (Screenplay & Story) has a B.A. in English from Yale University and his MFA in Film from Columbia University. As a journalist, his stories appeared in The New York Times, GQ, Details and Inc. magazine. His writing has appeared in The Juneau Empire. He grew up in New Jersey but now resides in Los Angeles’s Laurel Canyon. What's It All About?

Big Momma is back and this time he has big backup: his teenage stepson Trent. Martin Lawrence returns as FBI agent Malcolm Turner and as Turner’s deep-cover alter-ego Big Momma. Turner is joined by Trent as they go undercover at the Georgia Girls School For The Arts, after Trent accidently witnesses the murder of one of Martin's sniches, who has a flash drive containing information that could nail the local Russian crime boss, Chirkoff. Posing as the new House Mother and accompanied by her her hefty great niece and new coed, Charmaine Daisy Pearce, they must find the killer before he and his henchmen, find them. But that hinges on not blowing their cover and avoiding the pitfalls of being in disguise. All goes well, until Trent falls for one of the students, a talented young pianist named Haley. It isn't long before he's put both himself, Malcolm and Haley in great danger.

The Verdict "Before you see the latest 'Bug Momma' edition, here's a check list of qualities you must possess if you wish to qualify as an audience member. (1) You are a huge Martin Lawrence fan. (2) You get a big kick out of seeing men dressed up as women. (3) You love big, fat, black women. (4) You laugh at anything and everything (that's thing, not think) whether it's funny or not. (5) You're thirteen to eighteen years old. (6) You are a teenager trapped in an older persons body. If you answered yes to each of those highly, questionable questions, you will definately get your monies worth out of "Big Momma's Like Father Like Son. Actually, you should get double your monies worth because the storyline of the third edition features not one, but two men dressing up as women. So, does 'twice the booty' equate to twice the fun? It does if you passed the check list above. Of course, if you've seen the first two editions, you may as well see this one (which, by the way, many critics are hoping will be the last). And if you do, stay for the credits for a 'rappin' finale. One for the fans, pubesent teens and anyone cross-dresser curious. 3 STARS." Who Is Playing Who?

Martin Lawrence Brandon T. Jackson Jessica Lucas Michelle Ang Portia Doubleday Emily Rios Ana Ortiz Henri Lubatti Lorenzo Pisoni Tony Curran Marc John Jefferies Brandon Gill Zack Mines Trey Lindsey Ken Jeong Max Casella Susan Walters Sherri Shepherd Faizon Love

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Malcolm/Big Momma Trent/Charmaine Haley Mia Jasmine Isabelle Gail Vlad Dmitri Chirkoff Rembrandt Scratch Delanté TJ Mailman Canetti Mall Mother Beverly Townsend Kurtis Kool

The Production Team Directed by John Whitesell Screenplay Matthew Fogel Story by Don Rhymer and Matthew Fogel Characters Darryl Quarles Produced by David T Friendly Original Music by David Newman Cinematography by Anthony B. Richmond Film Editing by Priscilla Nedd-Friendly Casting by Kim Coleman & Alexa L Fogel Production Design by Meghan C. Rogers Art Direction by Mark Garner Set Decoration by Frank Galline Costume Design by Leah Katznelson Run Time 107 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2011 - Fox Films - All Rights Reserved ©1999-2011 - The Movie Pages & Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved. Protected by Australian & International Copyright, Trademark Laws & Intellectual Property Rights.