Rating: PG-13
Starring:
Martin Lawrence as Roscoe Jenkins
James Earl Jones as Papa Jenkins
Margaret Avery as Mamma Jenkins
Joy Bryant as Bianca Kittles
Cedric the Entertainer as Clyde Stubb
Nicole Ari Parker as Lucinda Allen
Michael Clarke Duncan as Otis
Mike Epps as Reggie
Mo’Nique as Betty
Damani Roberts as Jamaal Jenkins
Brooke Lyons as Amy
Liz Mikel as Ruthie Jenkins
Carol Sutton as Ms. Pearl
Deetta West as Ms. Addy
Louis C.K. as Marty
Special Features:
Alternate Opening
Deleted and Extended Scenes
Outtakes
Bringing the Family Together
On Location: Getting Down and Dirty
Going Home: Real Stories of the Cast
Joe” We’re Family” Music Video
Feature Commentary with Director Malcom D. Lee
Other Info:
Widescreen (1.85:1)
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
French Language
French and Spanish Subtitles
Running Time: 1 Hour 54 Minutes
Synopsis:
The following is from the DVD description:
“Martin Lawrence leads an all-star cast including Cedric the Entertainer, Mo’Nique and Mike Epps in the hit comedy ‘Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins.’ When a celebrated TV show host (Lawrence) returns to his hometown in the South his family is there to remind him that going home is no vacation! It’s one outrageous predicament after another when big-city attitude and small-town values collide in this hysterical comedy.”
“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” is rated PG-13 for crude and sexual content, language and some drug references.
Mini-Review:
I tried to go into “Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” with an open mind. I’ve liked this cast in other films. After all, it included the likes of James Earl Jones, Michael Clarke Duncan, and other fine actors. And the movie did start off strong. We see Lawrence as a Jerry Springer meets Dr. Phil talk show host. We see him engaged to a “Survivor” winner. We see him returning home to his Southern family for the first time in 9 years. We see the start of some great sibling rivalry. It’s a good setup.
Unfortunately, things quickly degenerate from there. We’re treated to Martin Lawrence’s usual over-the-top acting, Mo’Nique’s rambling ad-libbing, and Mike Epps’ obnoxiousness. All three actors seem to think the louder you are, the funnier you must be. It’s a theory that doesn’t pan out and it certainly doesn’t make you think they’re related to James Earl Jones. The film eventually lowers itself to gross out gags, weak physical humor, and an utterly predictable plot complete with a sappy ending. And at nearly 2 hours in running time, it becomes quite unbearable.
“Welcome Home Roscoe Jenkins” has a very narrow target audience people that think Martin Lawrence is funny. If you fall into that category, you’re going to enjoy this. If not, you may find you’ve entered a new level of Hell.
There’s a generous helping of bonus features on this DVD. The alternate opening features more of Roscoe’s talk show. In the episode shown, we’re treated to a white woman who turned herself black for her boyfriend who cheated on her with her sister. Besides the usual deleted scenes, outtakes, music video, and ‘making-of’ featurette, there’s a video where the stars talk about their first trips home after becoming famous. The stories are entertaining and funny more so than the movie itself.
