Product Details

• Actors: Tyler Perry
• Directors: Tyler Perry
• Format: AC-3, Blu-ray, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, NTSC, Subtitled, Widescreen
• Language: English, Spanish
• Subtitles: English, Spanish
• Region: Region A/1 (Read more about DVD/Blu-ray formats.)
• Aspect Ratio: 1.66:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: PG-13 (Parental Guidance Suggested)
• Studio: Lionsgate
• DVD Release Date: August 30, 2011
• Run Time: 107 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (180 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B003Y5H56U
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #53,132 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)
• Learn more about "Madea's Big Happy Family [Blu-ray + Digital Copy]" on IMDb

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Tyler Perry's entertainment empire continues its long march toward ubiquity with another installment chronicling the slapstick soap opera lives of the squabbling Simmons/Brown family. For Perry fans, who are legion, the fact that his output of movie and TV projects keeps growing larger than the bust lines of his matriarchal characters is nothing but good news. And Madea's Big Happy Family will certainly be the crowd-pleasingly funny, moralistic piece of uplifting fluff that they have every right to expect from the multi-hyphenated man on the throne. Based on one of his popular road show plays (as were many of his other movies), this one features as big and juicy a role for his in-drag alter ego as any. The pistol-packing, vitriol-spewing Madea steals the show all over the place, whether she's raging with one-liner insults, babbling down-home homilies, sweet-talking, or slapping someone silly. Perry also gives himself even more in-character fun playing crotchety old Uncle Joe, who has some choice observations about the obesity that's on display among more than half the cast. The story centers on Madea's niece Shirley (Loretta Devine, giving the only performance that's anywhere near understated), who is quickly succumbing to cancer, but resigned that it's God's will, and is OK with it because she'll soon be going home to Jesus. Her dying wish is to gather her loved ones to break the news, a task that proves nearly impossible given how fractious every single relationship is involving the lives of her children and extended family. Yes, the family is certainly big--but happy?--not so much. Swooping down on them in her bouncing boat of a broken-down Cadillac, Madea orders them together and orchestrates the many revelatory or shocking crises and catharses that finally bring some closure to the bickering. It's done in typical Tyler Perry fashion with bursts of pop-Christian and pop-psychological moralizing filtered straight outta Madea's motor-mouth and standup comic delivery. The men fare better than the women in Perry's philosophical, literary, and directorial intention. Without exception, the young female characters are portrayed as horrible shrews, and their men burdened providers who require the backhanded wisdom of Madea to set everyone straight. In his own performance and in the funny, sad, or inspirational messages laced throughout, Perry is playing to his core demographic to great effect. Though unremarkable in its stylistic and technical specifications, Madea's Big Happy Family has all the right stuff to fill the hearts and souls of all those who appreciate his very specific brand of ethnic family values. And that seems to be a group that grows with every project bearing his imprimatur. --Ted Fry

Product Description

Madea, everyone’s favorite wise-cracking, take-no-prisoners grandma, jumps into action when her niece, Shirley, receives distressing news about her health. All Shirley wants is to gather her three adult children around her and share the news as a family. But Tammy, Kimberly and Byron are too distracted by their own problems: Tammy can’t manage her unruly children or her broken marriage; Kimberly is gripped with anger and takes it out on her husband; and Byron, after spending two years in jail, is under pressure to deal drugs again. It’s up to Madea, with the help of the equally rambunctious Aunt Bam, to gather the clan together and make things right the only way she knows how: with a lot of tough love, laughter…and the revelation of a long-buried family secret.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

49 of 58 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars More of Madea.. please. May 6, 2011

By Adrienne Lopez

Format:DVD

I loved this film, just as I love everything Tyler Perry has done.
I agree with the first reviewer, there weren't many positive women in this film and the men did seem to be pretty lame.
However, it's a comedy, and when Madea comes on it's laughter all the way for me. I own all of Mr. Perry's movies and plays and will buy this one too.
It doesn't bother me to see the negative side of family, I have a family with alot of drama and negative and violent things happened to at least one of us. It's reality for some people. I think that's what Tyler Perry draws on. With God, we can hold on to the hope and promise of something better. That's why I buy his movies and plays, he is not shy about sharing God's word, even if at it's misquoted by Madea.

14 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A Family Falling Apart September 15, 2011

By Katrina L. Burchett VINE™ VOICE

Format:Blu-ray|Amazon Verified Purchase

Shirley (Loretta Devine) has been fighting cancer for about seven years, but it hasn't gotten her down. She's thanking God for the days she's had and accepting what is to come. All she wants more than anything is to sit down at a nice dinner with her adult children so they will all be together when she tells them the sad news.

Madea's Big Happy Family sends much needed messages to husbands and wives, battling siblings, bad behind children, teenage single parents... any family dealing with sensitive issues, disrespecting each other and keeping secrets. There were `zany' parts in this movie - I can deal with zany for a little bit, but it gets on my nerves after a while - but there were also quite a few touching and eye-opening moments. The first time I saw this movie was in the theater. The Opening Credits shows like an animated mini-movie, so I was entertained even before the movie began. My main thought after the movie was that families really need to stop wasting time and taking each other for granted. A sequel would be nice, because I would like to know what happens with Kimberly's (Shannon Kane) situation.

Favorite Character: Aunt Bam (Cassi Davis) - she's honest, bold and witty.
Favorite Line: You don't feel bad for me. You feel bad for somebody who don't know Jesus.
Favorite Scenes: Something's Got to Give/Look in the Mirror

I appreciate the fact that Mr. Perry brings humor into people's lives. I've always seen the ability to make others laugh as one of the most precious gifts a person could have. This world needs more happiness; I know I could use a good laugh daily. Mr. Perry has created a character or two who can be a little over the top - zany - but as a whole I enjoy his work. Laughter is only one thing his films bring to my life.... What I like most is the lessons he teaches with his movies. When she's not acting crazy and going off on people, Madea shares words of wisdom that can reach my heart like a good Bible teaching. (Don't ask her about The Bible, though, because she is not very good at interpreting Scripture). And even when Madea doesn't play a part in a movie, somebody is going to say something thought-provoking. I don't have many of Mr. Perry's plays on DVD, but I do own every movie. I will continue to support his work. Read more ›

18 of 24 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars It is what it is-- July 8, 2011

By Jan Madkins

Format:DVD

Tyler Perry produces entertaining morality plays. Why do people get upset that it is NOT high art? Other movies are fluff and fun and don't have a decent message. At least Mr. Perry gives us a nice message with the silliness.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My absolute favorite work of Tyler Perry! November 9, 2011

By Dr. Holly

Format:DVD

To start this review off, I must say that I have been a mega fan of Tyler Perry's work (movies, TV shows and plays) since the very first one was released. I even went to see the play "Madea Goes To Jail" live in NC which was both hilarious and touching and I highly recommend going to one of his live plays if you can. So, when it comes to his masterpieces (I say that because of what I believe is his unmatched talent)... I have purchased them all, not only because I enjoy his work so much but also because I want to support the message he brings out in a way to reach almost anyone. But this movie by far is my personal favorite out of all his projects! Just like so many other people feel, Madea is my personal star character... always making me laugh until it hurts. So I think the reason "Madea's Big Happy Family" has become my personal favorite work of his yet is simply because Madea's character is featured far more throughout the whole film with even more hilarious content in comparison to the others Tyler has done. I also love this film because it is in my humble opinion unique and features a slightly different plot/life issues (more variety) than his others, even though it does still deal with much of the same content as his previous work. The other characters featured in this film all did a phenomenal job as well and a couple had me laughing as hard as Madea, which for me so far in past projects has never happened. Tyler Perry's life story is both heart wrenching and extremely inspirational. So he deals with the critical topic of abuse/violence because of his life story, in a way that makes people listen and changes lives.... He is really gifted by God for this industry in a way that I feel no one else is - having the ability to handle very difficult and painful subjects with dignity and respect, yet mixing that critical message with humor and wisdom to reach people who may not otherwise be receptive. In this review I didn't want to speak about what happens in the movie to avoid "spoiling" it for those of you who have not yet seen it so I hope that's OK but I can't say enough good things about this film!! Needless to say, I definitely recommend giving it a watch! I sincerely hope you enjoy it as much as I and so many others have. Read more ›

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining and funny January 13, 2013

By Charlotte Raybon

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This was a great movie and as with all of Mr. Perry's movies it had message to offer. The movie at the beginning has somewhat of a corny beginning....but stay with it. The movie gets better and you can't help laughing even though it does have a sad moment.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Madea's Big Happy Family December 9, 2011

By D. Poland

Format:DVD

We like Tyler Perry's Madea movies. My children not too crazy about the Play's, but I do because he tends to get off the script and say what is on his mind about how things are and just appears to a down to earth kind of guy.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Turn a negative into a positive December 8, 2011

By Rena

Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase

This movie is based on a play that was written shortly after Mr. Perry's mother has passed. From bereavement, he created a play and movie that offers hope to many families that have gone through tragedy and pulled through into a stronger one. This is easier said than done: however, Mr. Perry's life is testament that it can and is possible. I look forward to many more of his films. God bless.