Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son

The third in a series of comedies is usually a letdown. Just look at “Rush Hour 3.” Third movies have a bad rep. Martin Lawrence is here as Miss Haddie Mae Pierce to set the record straight. The third film in the series goes forward in time a little bit, and has Trent (Malcom’s stepson) at age seventeen instead of ten or eleven, like in the second film. Trent, focused on what he wants so badly, ends up witnessing a murder during one of Malcom’s FBI busts. The criminal boss that commits the murder wants Trent and Malcom dead. They go in search of something the villain wants, but disguised—as Big Momma and Charmaine, her great-niece.

Comedy is a very subjective genre. What one finds funny, another may think is droll and boring. I went in wondering about this movie, having seen the other two and enjoying them. Despite the presence of more mature content, “Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son” proves to be an effective comedy. Early on, we have good character tension amongst Big Momma, Charmaine, and Jasmine, a ballerina from the all-girl boarding school where Malcom and Trent search for the missing item. There is a love interest for young Trent in the person of Haley. Present, also, are some very witty one-liners, which add to the humor. Also included is some humorous situational irony.

Parents, take the PG-13 rating seriously. The language in the film is pretty minor including several uses each of “a--,” “d-mn,” “h-ll,” and “sh-t,” plus OMG, “Sweet Jesus!” and “Thank you, Jesus!”

The violence is upped from the first and second movies, with a murder being shown onscreen, albeit bloodless. There are some mature sexual situations with Trent as Charmaine being present for a female character stripping down to her bra and panties, with Big Momma posing nude with a sheet for a fine art class, and with Trent urinating while dressed as Charmaine. Also present is some lesbian humor when Trent, forgetting he is dressed as Charmaine, makes comments about girls. A sexualized game of “Twister” is played by Big Momma (Malcom) and a security guard at the girls college. The scene is played for laughs. Background music talks about “doing” people.

There are so many comedies that are created and released to the general public in a year’s time. Some are funnier than others. Bucking the stereotype that “threequels” are bad, Lawrence and crew pull off a satisfying third film in the “Big Momma” comedy series. Full of one-liners, humorous situations, and irony, I felt “Big Momma’s: Like Father, Like Son” was a comedy worth my money.

Violence: Heavy / Profanity: Moderate / Sex/Nudity: Moderate

See information on other films in this series: Big Momma’s House (2000) and Big Momma’s House 2 (2006)