You guys know that I’m kind of a fan of Tyler Perry. I don’t think I’ve ever watched one of Tyler’s films from start to finish, but I’m a fan because I’m pro-Southern-artists, and because I like Tyler’s personal story (that of a man with little education or formal training becoming one of the most successful writer/director/actors currently working today). I like that he consistently hires actors of color, and I like that he writes meaty parts for women. So, I’m more likely to defend Tyler about anything, really, even if I didn’t agree with him in the first place. Of course, it helps when I already agree with him. A few weeks ago, I gave my half-hearted review of Prometheus, the “prequel-ish” offering by director Ridley Scott and screenwriter Damon Lindelof. I went into the film wanting to love it, and I came out of it extremely disappointed by the ineffective and meandering storytelling. My opinion: Lindelof really f—ked with the Alien franchise, and it was not good. At all. Tyler Perry agrees with me! In a new interview, Perry was asked about the kinds of movies he loves, and he name-checks the scifi genre in general, and the Alien franchise in particular. But he didn’t care for Prometheus:
What kind of movies did you used to watch growing up and how did they influence you?
TP: The first movie I ever saw was The Wiz and I danced all the way home. I was 5 or 6 years old and I danced all the way home from The Gallo Theatre down in New Orleans to my house. But when it comes to movies, I never really saw them in the theater. We didn’t have that kind of money so we would always have to wait for them to come on television. I love Sci Fi, I love the Alien movies and the Alien franchise. I was very disappointed with Prometheus, but I love that whole franchise. Those are my favorite movies. I’m actually working on a sci-fi movie right now.
Can you tell us a little bit about that?
TP: No but I’m writing a sci-fi movie that I’m really excited about. But I don’t have any one movie that made me say ‘Ooh this is it’ but The Wiz was my first film experience.
You know what I like? I like that Tyler just kept it to a one-word review of the film and didn’t pontificate on all the ways in which Prometheus sucked. It WAS “disappointing”. Now, is it disrespectful of Tyler to criticize Ridley Scott’s movie, especially considering that it’s not like Tyler’s films are critically acclaimed? Eh. I think Tyler kept his criticism so brief, and everyone’s entitled to their opinion. He didn’t like Prometheus. Neither did I. It happens. As for Tyler writing a sci-fi… er… I don’t know. Maybe it won’t be what we’re expecting?
Meanwhile, did you see that Tyler is doing a non-Madea, non-comedy drama? And not just any drama – an adaptation of one of James Patterson’s Alex Cross books. The movie is called, obviously, Alex Cross. Tyler plays Alex Cross. He’s hunting Matthew Fox’s psycho killer. Is it just me, or is Tyler incapable of doing a film without doing something funky with his voice? I swear, Tyler is doing Christian Bale-as-Batman with his voice here.
How does it look? I get the feeling my mom will want to see this (she likes Patterson’s books, and she likes Tyler Perry). There are worse things, I guess.
Photos courtesy of WENN.
Even though I don’t have any desire to see his films, I too like him and want him to be successful for the reasons you stated.
And, yes Tyler, Prometheus was disappointing. Very. In fact it sucked. It’s okay, you can say it. Once I found out that the dumbasses from Lost were involved, all my hopes went out the window.
Ehh it wasnt the best movie but I hate tyler Perry. Need I remind you that this dumb ass said that Kim kardashian is a good role model. That was the end of me liking him or anything associated with him.
“Disappointing” is probably the most frequently used word to describe Prometheus.
But I won’t blame only Lindelof — Ridley Scott is responsible for that too.
Oops double post-see below
So glad I read your editorial before angrily commenting, Kaiser. I like the rags-to-riches background of TP but aside from ONE good movie I am continually baffled at how this man continues not only to make money but produce films AND tv shows. I like TP, am thrilled that he provides work/roles for minorities and women but am NOT a fan of his work. I AM DISAPPOINTED by his work overall. It makes me cringe to see him churn out such low quality, badly produced, directed, acted and written entertainment. It makes me sad that it is what the black community now has as an overwhelming representation and standard of black films. I’ve lost count of how many times I have given an entire show/film a chance and ended up stareing open-mouthed and flabbergasted at what he presents and wondered why he thinks black people want or appreciate the nonsense he gives us. I have wondered what we did for him to punish us so and at times if he is even trying! I don’t understand how he is able to create MORE when quality shows like Reed Between the Lines & Are We There Yet are so few and far between (and WHEN is the latter returning?!).
All that to say, my initial response to this title was how DARE he open his mouth to criticize ANYONE when there have been others who have constructively criticized his work and he seems to just take it as ‘hating’ instead of evaluating and critiquing. Nonetheless, I will agree that he kept it kinda classy with just a brief and general critique and for now my befuddlement and wrath has been staved off. I so wish someone would take him under his wing and help refine him. I WANT him to succeed at providing work for black actors, writers, women and black audiences that is quality and acceptable but he’s got a ways to go. Right now he’s creating something but its not up to par. For now, here’s hoping his sci-fi venture is more wholesome and appealing.
You know, I personally agree with your opinion on *most* of Tyler Perry’s movies/shows (his comedy ones). I kind of find his dramatic films to be excellent- for my money, there are few films that touched me like Daddy’s Little Girls.
However, just because we don’t like that kind of stupid humor doesn’t mean everyone agrees with us. Tyler Perry’s stupid comedies are POPULAR. And really, really well-liked by the average black consumer. I feel about his comedy exactly as I feel about shows like Jersey Shore, and crappy pop and rap music, or the absolutely awful telenovelas my mother is into…it’s obviously not for me, but a LOT of people obviously love it and derive a lot of enjoyment from watching. Why would we try to change or take away something that really does entertain the majority of people? We don’t have to like it, but they do. There’s nothing wrong with people enjoying crap on occasion.
Heck, I’m obsessed with Dance Moms, so I’m not trying to be condescending here…everyone has their interests, and just because I don’t find them appealing (as in, Tyler Perry’s comedy) doesn’t make them wrong.
edit: I didn’t respond to one of your points, which is how low quality/crappy his stuff is in comparison to others’ work. He’s not working in a vacuum. He continues to churn out his products because people happily pay their money and watch his shows- lots of people love it. Just not us 🙂
This! All of this! At first when his material came out it was refreshing. Now it’s the same old schtick. And as for TP as Alex Cross…no. Especially since it was originally Idris Elba’s role.
I like Tyler Perry the person, but not the movie maker. I have only seen a handful of his movies. After seeing him churn out the same thing, why bother.
SO yes I thought when I saw the headline, “He is no one to criticize a movie that at least brought in a new philosophy. The kinds of things he makes are all the same.”
And I don’t know why anyone who wanted to see and ALIEN movie went to see Prometheus because Scott said it was not. He said it was in the universe of it. I didn’t expect Rapace to be Weaver. Because they are different types of people.
And Kaiser Prometheus didn’t suck. Stuff like Jonah Hex and Green Lantern did. Your opinion of Prometheus is wrong because your expecation was another. My expectation was not ALIENS but something to explain where they (the ALIENS) come from which I think it was shown. I don’t know if the Engineers were looking to create these ALIENS, but they did.
Also Perry’s appearance in Star Trek almost ruined the movie for me. (Thankfully he was only around for a few minutes). His silly movies led me to not take him seriously in his Star Trek role.
Another issue is that sometimes I hear black people complain about how they are portrayed in movies. Well one need only look in Perry’s direction.
My response to Perry. I am dissapointed in your career.
Was coming to post the same thing, after reading that Tyler Perry was ‘disappointed’ with Prometheus, though after reading what Kaiser had to say, it’s not as bad as originally thought.
Seriously?! I think most people who expect quality are disappointed and turned off by the terrible shit that you are producing, Perry. And you produce it over and over.
If he thinks it sucked, he shoudl make his own sci-fi film, and I read that he is. Well, good.
I can’t be the only person who has no idea who this guy is.
you are the only one, thumbelina. lol
i personally hate the madea character but the other films have been ok time killers.
Madea.
Be thankful you have not been subjected to his productions.
I also have no idea who Tyler Perry is. Or who Madea is (a character in one of his films?)
he produces a product, and it works for him. i dont re-watch any of his movies, but i support him. The TV shows, they suck but whatever. He’s kept true to form. The man still produces and acts in the plays that originally made him famous. I can be no more mad at him then say Monty Python for its ridiculous schtick. His business is making money, not pleasing every black person in the crown. Now hes trying to branch out. i think we can reserve judgment.
He’s in good company then – many people were disappointed.
I don’t know about him as Alex Cross – didn’t Morgan Freeman play Alex in “Along Came a Spider”? (He lent gravitas to the role, though he didn’t fit the physical description of Alex in the book – looks like they went the other way this time.)
I absolutely adore Morgan Freeman – he’s my favourite actor. I have read most of the Alex Cross books and I have to admit Morgan Freeman was not right for the part. I’m flexible with movie characters interpreted from books, but Freeman was a good 20 years too old for the part.
I’ve never seen Tyler Perry in a drama so it will be interesting. I currently live in the Atlanta area so of course he is a big deal here.
You’ve never seen Why Did I Get Married or Why Did I Get Married Too? Because those were some hard-hitting stuff, and he was in them both.
Oooh, you lucky! I hope you get to see him (I think he’s kinda hot!)
He’s very appealing. I thought he was pretty brave to acknowledge he was molested as a child.
I swear, Tyler is doing Christian Bale-as-Batman with his voice here.
Perry may be doing something with his voice here, but the result is definitely not *that* bad. Bale’s “Batman voice” is downright laughable.
I don’t think his film looks very good, and it’s tough to play a character when Morgan Freeman already established a version of it.
I can’t say I’ve seen a lot of his work, but good or bad, I give him credit for producing stuff and employing a lot of people.
Madea: In Outer Space!
“Oh hell to the N-O!” 😉
I <3 Tyler Perry!
Uh, I’m raising my hand to say that one of my guilty secret pleasures is TP’s Medea character. Maybe because I knew women like that growing up – very colorful characters. I don’t think I’ve watched any of the movies all the way through either but I enjoy the set up he has for the Medea character. So secret guilty pleasure…sorry to admit it but there it is.
I like his voice and the movie looks interesting and I say that as someone who is NOT a fan of him or his movies. I don’t like the facial hair, it’s doing something wonky to his face, but I’m glad he’s doing more roles and I find his take on Prometheus kinda funny. Of course he better not be bitchy when someone says the same thing about his movies.
One of my biggest guilty pleasures are the James Patterson Alex Cross novels, so I’m kind of excited for this movie. I really wanted to see Idris Elba play Alex Cross, but I think I can accept Tyler Perry in the role. I also like Tyler Perry, his movies may not be the best but something about the man himself is likeable.
I’m disappointed that Perry got tapped to be Alex Cross over Idris Elba, but we can’t have everything. I just hope that he’ll be only playing Mr Cross, and not the titular character’s grandmother too.
Whatev, Rafe Spall and his glasses were dreamy.
That maybe a great movie without Tyler Perry. Idris Elba would’ve been better. Tyler Perry can not act and his voice does sound flat or weird.
I love Tyler Perry. Hallalooooyeerrrr!
I get a kick out of the Madea chatacter, but I haven’t seen all of his movies. He won my eternal envy and approval with his cameo in Abram’s Star Trek.
It was a bit distracting in the scene, but I thought he must be a sci-fi fan and lobbied for a role. Guess I was right!
I re-watched the Star Trek reboot recently (after seeing Prometheus) and truly it was 10 times the movie Prometheus was. Great effects, taking sci-fi tropes and reworking them in interesting ways, good story & dialogue, fleshing out Star Trek ‘history’, and great actors. I’m really looking forward to the next one.
Hope they have a better villain this time, though. Eric Bana was his usual boring self, even in Romulan make-up.
I believe I’ve only seen three of his movies and all were dramas. They had good actors but the movies and scripts were sub-par. I think that’s the problem with him… He’s not “great” at what he does, but he’s making a boatload of money so he doesn’t have to be.
Idris Elba should’ve been Alex Cross. Tyler is not masculine, nor a good actor.
So true. I’d go to see Idris Elba in anything.
I think Prometheus was one of those classic problems where it gets sooo hyped up…that it doesn’t meet your expectations.
I know thats how it was for me. I still thought it was a great film, but I was expecting more. I thought “zombie part” was kind of lame and not necessary, and that one guy talking to the alien worm was stupid (although that stupid crap happens a lot in movies)…but overall a good solid film. As I said, was expecting more out of it. Fassy was the highlight.
People went expecting to see an “Aliens” movie even though they were told not to.
But some people don’t listen.
You would think he would be smart enough to just bite his tongue on this one. It just opens him up, given the reputation (fairly deserved) that his movies have earned. Good story or not.
But he is 100% right about Prometheus.
Wow. I’m disappointed Perry is Alex Cross. That casting decision is on par with Heigl in “One for the Money”. I really liked Prometheus. Are we even?
Not all of Tyler Perry movies are comedies:
For Colored Girls
Good Deeds
Precious
The Family That Prays Together
I think some of you have forgotten that he is also a producer.