Big Momma's House 2
Encyclopedia
Big Momma's House 2 is a 2006 American crime comedy film directed by John Whitesell
and written by Don Rhymer
. The film is a sequel to Big Momma's House
(2000) and stars Martin Lawrence
reprising his role as FBI
agent Malcolm Turner. The film was released theatrically on 27 January 2006, and was critically panned as critics felt that a sequel was unnecessary. Unlike the original, the film is more family-friendly compared to the first film's more mature target demographic.
The film was not well received by film critics. It currently holds a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
.
) has been assigned a desk job in public relations
as an FBI
agent, since he wants to live with his new wife, Sherry Pierce (Nia Long
), during her delivery for the couple's new baby girl. Meanwhile, an incident occurs in Orange County
, where Malcolm's old friend, Doug Hudson (Kirk B.R. Woller), has been killed while going undercover. FBI agent Kevin Keneally (Zachary Levi
) is doing surveillance
on a former US Army military intelligence
specialist Tom Fuller (Mark Moses
), who has since retired and is working for a private corporation called National Agenda Software. The FBI has reasons to believe that Tom is developing a computer worm
which will create backdoors into data stored on U.S. intelligence agency
databases. Malcolm, affected by his friend's death, asks his FBI chief Crawford (Dan Lauria
) to put him on the case, but Crawford refused Malcolm and told him to stay away for safety reasons. By eavesdropping
via webcam
, Malcolm found out that the FBI is sending an agent into infiltrate Fuller's house as a nanny
. Giving Sherry the pretext of attending a safety conference in Phoenix, Arizona
, Malcolm leaves for Orange County, taking with him the "Big Momma" costume.
Malcolm reprises his disguise as Big Momma, showing up at Fuller's house as Mrs. Fuller (Emily Procter
) is interviewing candidates. Big Momma eliminates the three other applicants for the nanny position by pointing out the sexually attractive qualities of the first, the drug use of the second, and the concealed firearm of the third (who was the undercover agent). He meets the three Fuller children, Molly (Kat Dennings
), Carrie (Chloë Moretz
), and Andrew. After failing to perform the housekeeping
tasks assigned to her, Big Momma is fired, and works all night cleaning up and makes a large breakfast. Upon seeing it the next day, Mrs. Fuller changes her mind when the family awakes to find this. Big Momma is soon accepted within the household and becomes a daily part of their lives. His tasks include accompanying Mrs. Fuller to the spa
, taking the family to the beach, watching out for trouble, and simply playing a game of bingo as part of her routine. After Big Momma finds out the password from Tom, Molly calls him who tells her that she needs her at a nightclub. Big Momma goes at once, only to find that Molly was lured by Fuller's bosses, who kidnaps her and Big Momma. They are tied up and placed in the back of a vehicle. Big Momma has a switchblade
, which Molly reaches for and uses to free them. He sees that they are at the waterfront
and witnesses Tom giving a disc to a man who puts it in his laptop and is granted full access to FBI data. Big Momma gets on a jet ski
and jumps it onto the dock, sending it into two men, and landing on one himself. Big Momma helps Tom and the two attempt to escape, but one of the men shot him. The FBI shows up, and Keneally is given handcuffs
to put on Tom, but Malcolm tells the agent in charge that Tom's family was threatened, and that no charges should be filed. They agree, and the case is closed.
In the film's conclusion, Big Momma goes to the girls' state cheerleading
championship
s. Their stuntwoman broke her leg, and Big Momma helps them out by doing the routine and winning the competition. He then leaves and gives the family a farewell letter saying he must go on, but to look out, because one day he might be back.
ranked the film 80th in the 100 worst reviewed films of the first decade of the 21st century, with a rating of 6%. The critical consensus was: "Unfunny and unoriginal. In other words, a perfect piece of evidence for opponents of pointless movie sequels."
Metacritic
gives the film a score of 34% based on reviews from 20 critics, indicating "Generally Unfavorable Reviews".
Its poor reception has been lampooned in The Onion
.
box office
with a worldwide gross of $138,259,062.
was released on February 18, 2011. Brandon T. Jackson
was cast in the role of Trent was originally played by Jascha Washington
. Nia Long
also did not reprise her role which resulted in her character, Sherry, being written out. The film, too, received overwhelmingly negative reviews from film critics.
John Whitesell
John Whitesell is an American film director. He has directed numerous films such as Calendar Girl and Big Momma's House 2 since he started his career as a film director since 1993.-Filmography as director:*Calendar Girl...
and written by Don Rhymer
Don Rhymer
Don Rhymer is an American screenwriter and film producer. He wrote movies like Big Momma's House, The Santa Clause 2, Agent Cody Banks 2: Destination London, The Honeymooners, Deck the Halls, and the computer animated mockumentary, Surf's Up.Rhymer has also enjoyed a successful TV career, and has...
. The film is a sequel to Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House
Big Momma's House is a 2000 American crime comedy film directed by Raja Gosnell, written by Darryl Quarles and Don Rhymer, and starring Martin Lawrence as FBI agent Malcolm Turner. The majority of the film took place in Cartersville, Georgia, but the film was shot on location in California. The...
(2000) and stars Martin Lawrence
Martin Lawrence
Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
reprising his role as FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
agent Malcolm Turner. The film was released theatrically on 27 January 2006, and was critically panned as critics felt that a sequel was unnecessary. Unlike the original, the film is more family-friendly compared to the first film's more mature target demographic.
The film was not well received by film critics. It currently holds a 6% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
.
Plot
Malcolm Turner (Martin LawrenceMartin Lawrence
Martin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
) has been assigned a desk job in public relations
Public relations
Public relations is the actions of a corporation, store, government, individual, etc., in promoting goodwill between itself and the public, the community, employees, customers, etc....
as an FBI
Federal Bureau of Investigation
The Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
agent, since he wants to live with his new wife, Sherry Pierce (Nia Long
Nia Long
Nia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
), during her delivery for the couple's new baby girl. Meanwhile, an incident occurs in Orange County
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
, where Malcolm's old friend, Doug Hudson (Kirk B.R. Woller), has been killed while going undercover. FBI agent Kevin Keneally (Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi
Zachary Levi Pugh , better known by his stage name Zachary Levi , is an American television actor, director, and singer known for the roles of Kipp Steadman in Less than Perfect, Chuck Bartowski in Chuck, and Flynn Rider in Tangled.- Early life :Zachary Levi Pugh was born in Lake Charles,...
) is doing surveillance
Surveillance
Surveillance is the monitoring of the behavior, activities, or other changing information, usually of people. It is sometimes done in a surreptitious manner...
on a former US Army military intelligence
Military intelligence
Military intelligence is a military discipline that exploits a number of information collection and analysis approaches to provide guidance and direction to commanders in support of their decisions....
specialist Tom Fuller (Mark Moses
Mark Moses
Mark W. Moses is an American actor, known for his roles of Paul Young on Desperate Housewives and Herman "Duck" Phillips on the AMC series Mad Men.-Life and career:...
), who has since retired and is working for a private corporation called National Agenda Software. The FBI has reasons to believe that Tom is developing a computer worm
Computer worm
A computer worm is a self-replicating malware computer program, which uses a computer network to send copies of itself to other nodes and it may do so without any user intervention. This is due to security shortcomings on the target computer. Unlike a computer virus, it does not need to attach...
which will create backdoors into data stored on U.S. intelligence agency
Intelligence agency
An intelligence agency is a governmental agency that is devoted to information gathering for purposes of national security and defence. Means of information gathering may include espionage, communication interception, cryptanalysis, cooperation with other institutions, and evaluation of public...
databases. Malcolm, affected by his friend's death, asks his FBI chief Crawford (Dan Lauria
Dan Lauria
Daniel Joseph "Dan" Lauria is an American television and film actor.-Early life:Lauria, an Italian-American, was born in Brooklyn, New York, the son of Carmela and Joseph J. Lauria. He also lived in Lindenhurst, New York...
) to put him on the case, but Crawford refused Malcolm and told him to stay away for safety reasons. By eavesdropping
Eavesdropping
Eavesdropping is the act of secretly listening to the private conversation of others without their consent, as defined by Black's Law Dictionary...
via webcam
Webcam
A webcam is a video camera that feeds its images in real time to a computer or computer network, often via USB, ethernet, or Wi-Fi.Their most popular use is the establishment of video links, permitting computers to act as videophones or videoconference stations. This common use as a video camera...
, Malcolm found out that the FBI is sending an agent into infiltrate Fuller's house as a nanny
Nanny
A nanny, childminder or child care provider, is an individual who provides care for one or more children in a family as a service...
. Giving Sherry the pretext of attending a safety conference in Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix, Arizona
Phoenix is the capital, and largest city, of the U.S. state of Arizona, as well as the sixth most populated city in the United States. Phoenix is home to 1,445,632 people according to the official 2010 U.S. Census Bureau data...
, Malcolm leaves for Orange County, taking with him the "Big Momma" costume.
Malcolm reprises his disguise as Big Momma, showing up at Fuller's house as Mrs. Fuller (Emily Procter
Emily Procter
-External links:...
) is interviewing candidates. Big Momma eliminates the three other applicants for the nanny position by pointing out the sexually attractive qualities of the first, the drug use of the second, and the concealed firearm of the third (who was the undercover agent). He meets the three Fuller children, Molly (Kat Dennings
Kat Dennings
Katherine Litwack , better known by the stage name Kat Dennings, is an American actress. Emerging with a role in an episode of the HBO dramedy series Sex and the City, Dennings has since appeared in the films The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Big Momma's House 2, Charlie Bartlett, Raise Your Voice, The House...
), Carrie (Chloë Moretz
Chloe Moretz
Chloë Grace Moretz is an American actress, known for her role as Hit-Girl in the 2010 superhero film Kick-Ass. She also appeared in The Amityville Horror, Days of Summer, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hugo, and portrayed Abby, the child vampire, in Let Me In.-Personal life:Moretz was born in Atlanta,...
), and Andrew. After failing to perform the housekeeping
Housekeeping
Housekeeping is the act of cleaning the rooms and furnishings of a home. It is one of the many chores included in the term housework. Housecleaning includes activities such as disposing of rubbish, cleaning dirty surfaces, dusting and vacuuming. It may also involve some outdoor chores, such as...
tasks assigned to her, Big Momma is fired, and works all night cleaning up and makes a large breakfast. Upon seeing it the next day, Mrs. Fuller changes her mind when the family awakes to find this. Big Momma is soon accepted within the household and becomes a daily part of their lives. His tasks include accompanying Mrs. Fuller to the spa
Spa
The term spa is associated with water treatment which is also known as balneotherapy. Spa towns or spa resorts typically offer various health treatments. The belief in the curative powers of mineral waters goes back to prehistoric times. Such practices have been popular worldwide, but are...
, taking the family to the beach, watching out for trouble, and simply playing a game of bingo as part of her routine. After Big Momma finds out the password from Tom, Molly calls him who tells her that she needs her at a nightclub. Big Momma goes at once, only to find that Molly was lured by Fuller's bosses, who kidnaps her and Big Momma. They are tied up and placed in the back of a vehicle. Big Momma has a switchblade
Switchblade
A switchblade is a type of knife with a folding or sliding blade contained in the handle which is opened automatically by a spring when a button, lever, or switch on the handle or bolster is activated A switchblade (also known as an automatic knife, pushbutton knife, switch, Sprenger, Springer,...
, which Molly reaches for and uses to free them. He sees that they are at the waterfront
Dock (maritime)
A dock is a human-made structure or group of structures involved in the handling of boats or ships, usually on or close to a shore.However, the exact meaning varies among different variants of the English language...
and witnesses Tom giving a disc to a man who puts it in his laptop and is granted full access to FBI data. Big Momma gets on a jet ski
Jet ski
Jet Ski is the brand name of a personal watercraft manufactured by Kawasaki Heavy Industries. The name is sometimes mistakenly used by those unfamiliar with the personal watercraft industry to refer to any type of personal watercraft; however, the name is a valid trademark registered with the...
and jumps it onto the dock, sending it into two men, and landing on one himself. Big Momma helps Tom and the two attempt to escape, but one of the men shot him. The FBI shows up, and Keneally is given handcuffs
Handcuffs
Handcuffs are restraint devices designed to secure an individual's wrists close together. They comprise two parts, linked together by a chain, a hinge, or rigid bar. Each half has a rotating arm which engages with a ratchet that prevents it from being opened once closed around a person's wrist...
to put on Tom, but Malcolm tells the agent in charge that Tom's family was threatened, and that no charges should be filed. They agree, and the case is closed.
In the film's conclusion, Big Momma goes to the girls' state cheerleading
Cheerleading
Cheerleading is a physical activity, sometimes a competitive sport, based on organized routines, usually ranging from one to three minutes, which contain the components of tumbling, dance, jumps, cheers, and stunting to direct spectators of events to cheer on sports teams at games or to participate...
championship
Championship
Championship is a term used in sport to refer to various forms of competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.- Title match system :...
s. Their stuntwoman broke her leg, and Big Momma helps them out by doing the routine and winning the competition. He then leaves and gives the family a farewell letter saying he must go on, but to look out, because one day he might be back.
Cast
- Martin LawrenceMartin LawrenceMartin Fitzgerald Lawrence is an American actor, film director, film producer, screenwriter, and stand up comedian. He came to fame during the 1990s, establishing a Hollywood career as a leading actor, most notably the films Bad Boys, Blue Streak, and Big Momma's House...
as FBIFederal Bureau of InvestigationThe Federal Bureau of Investigation is an agency of the United States Department of Justice that serves as both a federal criminal investigative body and an internal intelligence agency . The FBI has investigative jurisdiction over violations of more than 200 categories of federal crime...
Agent Malcolm Turner/Big Momma - Mark MosesMark MosesMark W. Moses is an American actor, known for his roles of Paul Young on Desperate Housewives and Herman "Duck" Phillips on the AMC series Mad Men.-Life and career:...
as Tom Fuller - Emily ProcterEmily Procter-External links:...
as Leah Fuller - Nia LongNia LongNia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
as Sherry Pierce Turner. Her second appearance as "Sherry". She does not make an appearance in the third film. - Kat DenningsKat DenningsKatherine Litwack , better known by the stage name Kat Dennings, is an American actress. Emerging with a role in an episode of the HBO dramedy series Sex and the City, Dennings has since appeared in the films The 40-Year-Old Virgin, Big Momma's House 2, Charlie Bartlett, Raise Your Voice, The House...
as Molly Fuller - Chloë MoretzChloe MoretzChloë Grace Moretz is an American actress, known for her role as Hit-Girl in the 2010 superhero film Kick-Ass. She also appeared in The Amityville Horror, Days of Summer, Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Hugo, and portrayed Abby, the child vampire, in Let Me In.-Personal life:Moretz was born in Atlanta,...
as Carrie Fuller - Zachary LeviZachary LeviZachary Levi Pugh , better known by his stage name Zachary Levi , is an American television actor, director, and singer known for the roles of Kipp Steadman in Less than Perfect, Chuck Bartowski in Chuck, and Flynn Rider in Tangled.- Early life :Zachary Levi Pugh was born in Lake Charles,...
as Kevin Keneally - Marisol NicholsMarisol NicholsMarisol Nichols is an American actress best known for her role in the sixth season of 24 as Special Agent Nadia Yassir.-Early life:...
as Liliana Morales - Jascha WashingtonJascha WashingtonJascha Akili Washington is an American television and film actor.-Life and career:Washington was born in California and debuted on television in 1997 on the episode "A Reverend Runs Through It" of the program Brooklyn South. He first appeared on film a year later as Will Smith's son Eric in Enemy...
as Trent Pierce Turner (cameo), his final appearance as "Trent". In the third film, his role is re-cast to Brandon T. JacksonBrandon T. JacksonBrandon Timothy Jackson is an American stand-up comedian, actor, rapper, writer, and comedian. He is best known for his supporting roles in Roll Bounce, Tropic Thunder, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Lottery Ticket, and a leading role in Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.-Early...
.
Critical response
Big Momma's House 2 received overwhelmingly negative reviews. Rotten TomatoesRotten Tomatoes
Rotten Tomatoes is a website devoted to reviews, information, and news of films—widely known as a film review aggregator. Its name derives from the cliché of audiences throwing tomatoes and other vegetables at a poor stage performance...
ranked the film 80th in the 100 worst reviewed films of the first decade of the 21st century, with a rating of 6%. The critical consensus was: "Unfunny and unoriginal. In other words, a perfect piece of evidence for opponents of pointless movie sequels."
Metacritic
Metacritic
Metacritic.com is a website that collates reviews of music albums, games, movies, TV shows and DVDs. For each product, a numerical score from each review is obtained and the total is averaged. An excerpt of each review is provided along with a hyperlink to the source. Three colour codes of Green,...
gives the film a score of 34% based on reviews from 20 critics, indicating "Generally Unfavorable Reviews".
Its poor reception has been lampooned in The Onion
The Onion
The Onion is an American news satire organization. It is an entertainment newspaper and a website featuring satirical articles reporting on international, national, and local news, in addition to a non-satirical entertainment section known as The A.V. Club...
.
Box office
Big Momma's House 2 grossed $27,736,056 in its opening weekend ranking number one. As of 3 March 2011, the film has grossed a total of $70,165,972 at the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
box office
Box office
A box office is a place where tickets are sold to the public for admission to an event. Patrons may perform the transaction at a countertop, through an unblocked hole through a wall or window, or at a wicket....
with a worldwide gross of $138,259,062.
Sequels
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like SonBig Mommas: Like Father, Like Son
Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son is a 2011 crime comedy film directed by John Whitesell and written by Matthew Fogel and Don Rhymer. The film is the second sequel to Big Momma's House and stars Martin Lawrence reprising his role as FBI agent Malcolm Turner...
was released on February 18, 2011. Brandon T. Jackson
Brandon T. Jackson
Brandon Timothy Jackson is an American stand-up comedian, actor, rapper, writer, and comedian. He is best known for his supporting roles in Roll Bounce, Tropic Thunder, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief, Lottery Ticket, and a leading role in Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son.-Early...
was cast in the role of Trent was originally played by Jascha Washington
Jascha Washington
Jascha Akili Washington is an American television and film actor.-Life and career:Washington was born in California and debuted on television in 1997 on the episode "A Reverend Runs Through It" of the program Brooklyn South. He first appeared on film a year later as Will Smith's son Eric in Enemy...
. Nia Long
Nia Long
Nia Talita Long is an American actress and occasional music video director. She is best known for her roles in the television series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Third Watch, and the films Boiler Room, Soul Food, Love Jones, The Best Man, Big Momma's House, Big Momma's House 2, Are We There...
also did not reprise her role which resulted in her character, Sherry, being written out. The film, too, received overwhelmingly negative reviews from film critics.
External links
- Big Momma's House 2 review in Slant MagazineSlant MagazineSlant Magazine is an online publication that features reviews of movies, music, TV, DVDs, theater, and video games, as well as interviews with actors, directors, and musicians. The site covers various film festivals like the New York Film Festival.- History :...
by Keith Uhlich