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October 19th, 2012
03:36 PM ET
Reviews are in for Tyler Perry's 'Alex Cross'Prolific filmmaker and actor Tyler Perry is best known for helming the movies he stars in, and the projects are more about creating laughs than suspense. All of which makes his starring role in this weekend's crime thriller "Alex Cross" something of a departure. But as he told CNN, he's actually always hoped he'd be able to try such an action-oriented role on for size.
"I’ve been in the business for a very long time, and ['Alex Cross' director] Rob Cohen is the first man to ever offer me a role like this. He saw it first," Perry said. "I’ve always wanted to, but it had to be the right role, and this was the right situation." That's not to say that Perry didn't need some convincing. "I read the script and I was like, 'I don’t know if I can do this, or if I want to try to take this on,'" he said. "And then I realized that [the] physicality and description [James Patterson] had for Alex Cross in the books, and I said, 'Wait a minute, this is me.' And I couldn’t put it down, and I realized I had to do it." The character was previously portrayed by Morgan Freeman in "Along Came a Spider" and "Kiss the Girls," but Perry isn't worried about living up to Freeman's work. "I couldn’t be Morgan Freeman playing Alex Cross. I had to do the best job I could as Tyler Perry, cause Morgan Freeman is brilliant!" he said. "He played God in movies. All I had to do - or could do - was the best, the absolute best that I could do." Unfortunately, the film as a whole hasn't earned praise from critics. The New York Times called the film "a grim, dispiritingly stupid waste of time, energy, money and talent," although the review does clarify that "the ineptitude of 'Alex Cross' can’t be pinned only on Mr. Perry. He’s a likable screen presence, even when not wearing Madea’s wig and bosomy padding. But he doesn’t have the skill that can lift a performance up, up and away from the substandard movie surrounding it, one of Mr. Freeman’s enduring, oft-tapped talents." Time magazine also found "Alex Cross" to be "ugly in spirit and looks," only raising the reviewer's "appreciation for Morgan Freeman, the original cinematic Alex Cross." Perry's performance, meanwhile, was "so emotionally shallow ... He wears two expressions, either the furrowed brow or the jolly smile. Perry has left the hamminess of his Madea incarnation behind, but maybe in suppressing her, he has suppressed himself." Yet The Los Angeles Times has hope for the 43-year-old, believing that if he's given better material, Perry "has the talent to move beyond the world of Madea, should he want to," but not when he's reciting dialogue "so bad it's like an "SNL" skit gone south." "The casting is no doubt driven in part by the hope that the money guys can get some of that Tyler Perry box-office magic," the LAT's review said. "Perry may actually pay off; not much else about the movie does." Perhaps they'll get it right with the next one. According to Deadline, there's talk of adapting James Patterson's novel "Double Cross" into another film starring Perry. Are you planning to see "Alex Cross" this weekend?
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I saw the movie and loved how Tyler Perry acted in the role. I did not know he could be hat good in such a different type of role than what he usually played in the past.
...would definitely have made a better Alex Cross than Tyler Perry! I've been reading James Patterson for years, and never had a mental image resembling Tyler Perry. There's a reason most actors/actresses don't wander out of their genre or niche.. Someone posted that Idris Elba wouldn't have done well because he's British .. you must not have seen all of his work. There have been several instances in which he dropped his accent.
I think Idris Elba would have been a fantastic Alex Cross. I just don't buy Tyler Perry as Alex Cross, good actor but poor choice for the part.
great job Tyler. We love you.
I can't believe Taylor Perry is the main character in James movie ! read many of his books never thinking that in his movies will be with (Madea) the main character ,the right actor ? be Denzel Washington.....
Who cares what you were thinking. YOu think of Denzel because your mind is limited to Denzel and that is all you know. Tyler did great. He is just as good in this role.
Afrer I saw many TV shows about Madea and see it his last movie in the theatre with Madea...I don't think I will go to see his new movie.it is a big transition from Madea funny a funny ,large woman to a killer or the main character I don't think so! the last movie ? I dislike I even like the Madea Tv shows much better .I don't think he is going to make it I hear he and the quenn Oprah (sigh) are going to made a proyect together .......
I am a pariah in my local circle. I am black and hate the pixels wasted on anything the erstwhile Mr. Perry deigns to make or star in. Just because he has money does not mean he can buy instant acting talent. Dude try a lesson or two.
What I'm wondering is how is he going to push his Christian beliefs and the plight of black women down everyone's throats in this kind of movie?
Love James Patterson Books but Tyler Perry does not fit my mental image of Alex Cross so i will not go see the movie so i don't ruin the books for myself.However i do like Tyler Perry as an actor and as a director just not as Alex Cross. In a related note, Tom Cruise is so far off being Jack Reacher that it is almost laughable. So another movie i will be skipping.
This movie wasn't very good. There was some bad acting at the beginning, and the camera shakes all around during fight scenes – so much so they might as well have cut all that out, you have no idea what is going on other then the cameraman doing a horrible job. They don't set up scenes well, or go in depth on character building. In the end, it wasn't the worst movie in the world, but it certainly wasn't very good either.
I think Idris Elba could have pulled off a better Alex Cross. Elba is a better actor and can play various characters much much better. He can be gangster, soft, a business man, etc. Dont get me wrong, I like Tyler Perry, but it's hard to stop thinking about Madea when you see him as other characters.
Idris Elba would have been perfect! I've been a fan of the Alex Cross books for years, and I don't think Tyer Perry fit the image I had of Alex Cross at all. Now that you've mentioned it, I think Idris is a much better fit for the image. Plus, he's an incredible actor! Ever seen Luther? It's excellent.
I always thought Morgan Freeman was too old to play Alex Cross – even back then. When I first heard Tyler Perry was playing Alex Cross, I thought it was a joke. To be fair, I do credit Perry for branching out and taking on a role that is completely alien to anything he has done so far. (I haven't seen the movie yet, so I can't judge the actual performance he gives, or the quality of the film itself.) Still there were much better actors that could've taken the part and given the film instant credibility, instead of Madea jokes. Idris Elba, Jesse Martin, Blair Underwood, etc. to name a few. The Alex Cross character was supposed to somewhat resemble a young Muhammad Ali. Jamie Foxx could've been a good casting.
Please, no more Jamie Foxx!! Any of the others, but not him. I'm so tired of him, and he's not a great actor in drama (sorry, those of you out there who are Jamie lovers, but it's my opinion) and he's definitely no Alex Cross. Denzl is too old. Idris Elba, cute but British. Taye Diggs maybe? Not sure who could match the Alex Cross in my mind's eye.
still on here?
its a racist also–u're right
in these comments...
All of Tyler Perry's movies are AWFUL. They're absolutely terrible. I don't know why anyone buys them or watches them. I love Morgan Freeman. He has so much presence in everything he is in.
Yea, they are so awful that he is now almost a BILLIONAIRE!!!!! You can dislike him as much as you want, he is counting his money as you write your negative comments. IMO, Tyler is good in what he has been doing (Madea) and that has him stereotyped, but give him a chance and don't visualize Madea as you watch this film, and you just might see the potential in him as an actor in a serious role.
@Emmy shut the hell up and go find someone else to talk trash about!!!!
I honestly cannot see Perry playing Alex Cross. I dont see Madea, but I also dont see the Character that Cross personifies in the books as Perry. I have been waiting for YEARS on another Patterson/Cross movie (Kiss the Girls, Along Came a Spider) – with a strong actor to play Cross. I was so DISAPPOINTED to hear Perry was playing the lead role (good for him, bad for the franchise) – that I decided at the first commercial, I was not going to waste my money. Sorely disappointed in Hollywood and Georgia (now that they are trying to hang with the big boys – and cant even begin to keep up).
It can't be any worse than those god-awful Madea movies.
Danielle: Ifyou only rad James Patterson books you are missing the best! Read John Sandford and you will read them alll. Patterson has been co-authoring so long he seldom writes a book on his own.
Is this the GAPeach that used to chat with RichardHead?
Along Came a Spider was the best!
My question would be how much influence James Paterson did in selecting the star to play Alex Cross?
I "like" James Patterson on Facebook. According to one of the postings, James was the person that picked Tyler to play Alex Cross and even convinced him to do the movie. I was so looking forward to seeing the movie but after the reviews and the critics I think I may pass on it,
Morgan Feeman was the wrost chiocie fro Alex Cross and ?Tyer Perry is second! I have read all the Alex Cross books and in one he is described as a Denzel Washington look-alike, so why not have Denzel play him? He is supposed to be handsome like Denzel. Tyler can't pull that off!
That is who I always pictured in my head while reading the books – Denzel.
Shaking my head at some of the immature, uneducated comments. WOW I guess i see now why the jobless rate is so high, its not because there are not enough job....from the looks of it there are alot of morons that don't have enough education or skills to work in pie factory tasting pies. The racist, gays and other childish slurs are just sooo illiterate. But I guess since some of you don't have jobs you have nothing better to do. Maybe u can clean up your single wide or wash your dingy wife beater, and go to the dentist and get some of those missing teeth replaced or better yet...sign up for a class and get some higher education and get a job. But your ignorance was worth a pathetic laugh.
i have to pick my teeth do you have a toothpick?
iv never seen his shows do to the way he talks. Same as the movies. I love the books but maybe it should have stayed a book.
"talks too much"
we love tyler and hope he receives better.
we hope he furthers his life to better roles.
I thought the movie was good and cant wait for the next one to come out in theaters. Most ppl on here cant spell. I read only james patterson books.
I saw the movie and think Tyler Perry did a good job. The movie was good for me. To each it's own. Everybody is a move expert now.
I went to see this movie with all the negative talk about it and found none of the negative comments to be true for me. I enjoyed Tyler Perry in this movie and I never once looked at him as Madea so to that i say excellent job of convincing me that you were Alex Cross. Continue with your good works. Because you cant please everybody all the time and I dont care what a person does some people are going to see negative no matter what you do.
This was a really badly made movie...the directing was even bad by tv quality, the acting of perry was some juvenile attempt at a perry movie, freeman is too old to play cross anymore but please jamie foxx or cheedle would have oozed quality...the cadillac product placement was so much it was almost an advert with some dialogue interspersed.
Mathew fox made for a wickedly good baddie but the plot lines and Perrys bad deep acting shamed the movie..it isnt often i sit in the movies hoping for the end, heck i was almost wiling to spend the evening with fixes character to end it quicker....it was bad and a real shame for a quality series...I think patterson would have preferred to have a movie of 'Castle' then this ill thought out C grade movie...and I'm being generous calling it 'C'
Never trust critics.
I liked the casting, the acting, the location in Detroit and Cleveland, the sound track (expected to hear Eminen). Glad to see casting against type: not the suave action detective, but the regular guy who can do what has to be done, when necessary. Tyler Perry was just fine in that role.
cero's receives a phone text from a password named "hudson"- 1:39pm July 21 2012
This really shouldn't be about race. Why all the racial comments? Comment about the movie. Give an actual account of how you felt the actor and actors did, movie plot (was it good or bad) is this a blockbuster hit. This is what we should be talking about. Black people and white people are not going anywhere. We are all Americans, and we have to live together. So please let's keep the comments about the movie.
I agree! The movie was so well acted. I am waiting on the sequel...
This is the beginning of how Alex Cross became the man he was in Along Came A Spider and Kiss the Girls. It is how he crossed from the character he was at the beginning into the one you see him become in the end. To expect that he is going to be "Morgan Freeman's" portayal of Alex Cross at the beginning, is naive. "Alex Cross" was a great start into the creation of who Alex Cross is and becomes.
Tyler Perry did a good job in the movie it was his debut in an action thriller. Versatility in Hollywood keeps you around ....ask Will Smith,Denzel Washington,Tom Cruise&Richard Gere they all had debuts. oh, yeah and they didn't have their on production studios!!!!
Usually if critics say a movie is bad I see it and love it. Blockbusters always get bad reviews. Those of us in the real world could care less about artsy fartsy movies......we want action!
I liked the movie. Matthew Fox was mesmerizing. A total transformation from his character in "Lost". Physically and dramatically. That alone was worth the price of admission. I am glad to see Tyler Perry in a roll without comedy/cross dressing. He has probably type cast himself, but it was a solid effort to break out of his shell.
All those who are basing the movie on race or whether tp is gay are stupid the movie was good for those who don't like it o well! Jus sit down and shutup!
You shut up, b'i'tch! And go back to blowin' yo colored boyfriend because yo too fat to get a white man!
Tru dat rocks! Sick of these fat white ho's with their welfare nig'g'e'r'rrr boyfriends mouthing off like they are relevant. Nobody gives a sheeet whether they live or die.
tyler needs a better role in the industry he is still young and can do it.
The storyline was iffy, the killer carried the movie. Tyler Perrys acting skills needs alot if work and Cicely Tyson should gave never been cast fir the movie, the cast was weak and stiryline was predictable. The bar was set too high for Perry by Freeman I won't despair because Tyler can only go up from this debacle. /
U got 2 be crazy..critics raised the bar on so many corny white cast movies.that shouldn't have made it 2 the big screen..a lot of blacks don't get credit for their work ..because they r black...most of tylers movies where way better that a lot of crap..its 2 many white haters..yeah i said it..who the fck r the critics..they know blacks make better movies...
Beryl, you are an idiot. Learn to spell. Tyler Perry is garbage and makes money off of producing lowball "entertainment" that just reinforces the stereotypes of his people. He laughs at you...Not with you.
Tyler Perry is not BOTHERED by any of the NEGATIVE reviews because what was POSITIVE in his eyesight was the fact that someone offered him a role that was different than wearing a girdle and depends and a wig so in his eyesight and belief he has stepped up and moved on. He was expecting negative reviews from critics. Thats what critics do. If you are not Bruce Willis or Vin Diesel, then they think you dont belong in an action movie. I guess they can see Tyler Perry proved them wrong by showing he is very versatile and can be taken as such.
Typeface should be BOTHERED by that lackluster ameateur performance. I hope he polishes his action acting abilities by casting himself into a more suddle role next time. He came actross as a rookie.
amen
I'm looking forward to pooping in my own bed tonight...
Tyler Perry like many actors, suffers from being type cast. Yet the success of the Madea movies have served to compound the problem. So after reading the previous comments, I've come to one glaring conclusion."DIFFERENT MOVIE SAME HATERS". Bravo Tyler Perry!!!!
AMEN 2 THAT..
That's funny! Typecast? HE is the one casting himself!!!!! He could choose to be in whatever movie he feels like being in, since he's the one producing, writing, directing, and acting!
Tyler Perry is a cheap egomaniac. That's why he'll usually do everything himself even though he's generally subpar. It lowers the bottom line and he gets all the glory in addition to most of the money.
Tyler did not write/direct Alex Cross. He was solely and actor in this one.
Great! movie Tyler! Of course your HATERS would have something negative to say because you are the highest PAID in Hollywood better known as FAKEWOOD! Keep up the good work, and for the hater critics, as long as you continue to hate on Tyler, the more blessed he will be.
I'm looking forward to seeing Alex Cross. Tyler Perry is talented and has great acting skills. I'm sure this movie will be outstanding.
AND IT IS..
Katy Perry could have done a better job than Tyler Perry did. It was horrible. Mmm... Katy Perry...
I just saw the movie tonight, my husband and i both thouhgt i was awesome. Its jsut a movie, acting was excellent, stop reading too much into it, its just a movie!!
I suspected it before i got there his ego is so huge he believed he could.....
lemme tell you, was total garbage , every line was predictable the acting was poor and i cant believe Ed burns got involved in this, but i guess money talks, movie was total garbage, except for the serial killer, he carried the whole movie, i stuck it out , out of respect for his work, madea better stick to his funny low end comedy stuff, i regret spending the money , but my girl wanted me to .... and i guess i had to see for myself how low you can go ...
RICK TAKE YOUR WHITE AZZ 2 BED..
Good reply beryl. This reasoned judgment is why so many black intellectuals are praising the movie. Those lowered expectations only help keep you down. Obama would never have become president if he had been raised in a black neighborhood. They would have beat his ass for acting white and not keeping it real. Expect more from your people and eventually they will deliver.
I just saw "Alex Cross" and was disappointed. First of all the movie is not suspenseful like "Kiss The Girls" and "Along Came a Spider" that featured the Alex Cross character. Second, it was my understanding that the female cop who is sleeping with his partner was his daughter, but then they never say anything about her or his partner having a relationship, not even after she was what?? Killed?? I don't even know what happened to her cuz they never mention it after the killer enters her apt. And I'm assuming that she was Alex's daughter becasue they were talking about him not finding out that they were seeing/sleeping with each other, and she said something about Alex being her father. This movie could have been really good. I don't fault Tyler Perry cuz he's a great actor, I fault the crappy writers/the script. There was some other things they didn't go back and expalin either so I give this movie a C. And that's only cuz I like Tyler Perry.
Terrible movie..
I just took a dump on my neighbor's driveway-it looked strikingly similar to Don Cheney. Very strange.
Tyler Perry did a great job. GO TYLER!
I agree i had a hard time as a Madea fan to seeing this movie but it was my anniversary and I loved it I cried when his daughter cried nd he couldn't quit fine the words to consol her.I think that he did a great job
For those leaving the stupid racist comments go back to your trailer and watch "Honey Boo Boo". For those that say say Tyler has no talent, he is a student and master of his craft. No talent would be Kim K, Paris Hilton, Snooky...you get the point and I approve this message.
he will receive and oscar nomination for this.
I will go to see the movie, I like Tyler Perry as a person, writer, producer and actor. Tyler Perry is doing something positive and he's a stand up guy. Keep up the good work Tyler Perry!
Saw it last night, mediocre story with an ok twist at the end. Perry wasn't at his prime, but seemed to settle more to the Cross role closer to the end. Wierd camera play vs arch-enemy left my head scratching. Fox was awesome as a psychopath, hope Perry tries again with more commitment to the original character (along came a spider era)
totally agree...
deader? wow
Morgan, shut up and act.
Movie is a dud
Enjoyed the movie and anything James Patterson. I could have see Denzel as Cross and Tyler as Sampson.
Thought the bad guy did great
Yes...I will see the movie this weekend to support Tyler Perry no matter the reviews.
Real nava
Cast me, native, no arrows, practical, not good, spy stuff? Over done
It wasn't a horrible movie, but it feels more like a TV movie or a movie that should be rented - it's way too short to bother seeing in theaters.
U PALE FACE PEOPLE KILLS ME WITH YOUR HATRED AND HATING AZZES..U MOTHA FCKERS SUCKS..
The movie was miscast. Idris Elba should have been Alex Cross.
I agree
A
men/Tyler have to grow..you can't keep them tied down all the time tyler is a decent actor. i feel he will be nominated for an oscar soon.
–
The NY Times, like all modern journalism, is riding the coattails of glory days loooong past. Journalism is deader than the Libyan ambassador.
It was absolutely exhilirating, he bought such power to this thriller. Great job!! Hope to see more in the future.
its time for perry to move on–he's got grow–he's young and needs better acting roles.
Cant wait to see Mr.Perry take on something new. Its wonder to see him grow.Goin to check him n the movie out!!
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Totally agree. Couldn't have said it better myself.
I saw the movie today and I loved it.
This movie shines another light on Mr. Perry’s acting skills only to show how versatile he can be. For those who choose to call him “GAY” and the “N” word, you are cowards that are hiding behind a monitor.
As for the critics, they don’t speak for everybody! Go out to see it for yourself and you be the critic!
Tru dat. Your mother is an ugly fat gay n*****r lover. F off. Gdubglenn
Ignorant
Ignorant AND ugly!
Tyler Perry is as untalented as he is gay.
Wow!That was incredibly ignorant.
the one thing his pockets are full no matter what they say !
Saw the movie today it was Great! TP did an awesome job and so did all the co-stars. The Villian was Awesome too. So believeable. Go see please. Action Packed
Before Tyler Perry had the role, Idris Elba had been the front runner, I thought he was a more convincing Cross.
Is this the bruther that does all those mindless Madea movies? Sorry, wont go see this one either then. Bad casting. Maybe will rent it eventually at Redbox for 1 buck, but thats it-Madea boy.
Look at all those worms in my pooh. It must be delicious!
I
Ouch!
Tyler Perry is prolific ? Yeah I'm prolific at pooping too.
Ugly, fat, gay ni'g'g'e'r!
actually Perry fits the description of Cross's friend John Sampson more than Cross, I would picture more of a Denzel look for Alex, also Abantz I agree with you, the last one I read was Cross Fire, they never even explained who Zachary was!! And if you tell me Kyle Craif comes back to life, I'll scream! LOL
I agree
Kyle Craig is still alive sorry to tell ya! Also, I thought TP was ok in the movie - I think a better choice would have been the black guy from CSI - the Harvard Lawyer who went to school with Obama. Just my .02.
I love Tyler Perry, so I was glad to see him accept a role like this. I was really excited to go see this movie but the reviews don’t seem to be that great so far. Some of my officemates at DISH are going to see it and want me to come, but I think I’ll wait on this one. I do want to see how Perry did so I put Alex Cross in my Blockbuster @Home queue. That way it will be mailed to me when it’s released on DVD, and I can just send it back when I’m done. The New York Times review seemed a little harsh, and I hope the movie isn’t that bad.
Saw the movie today....loved it....TP is really a great actor and although Madea is close to my heart, he did a great job.....he's a great leader- writing and producing and directing his movies and in this movie he's a great follower and just stuck to acting....great job....worth it
Does he wake up at the end wearing a dress and wig as Madea then realize it's all a dream?
who listen to the new york times. Sure the movie is fine. Go tyler!
Terrible pulp fiction breeds terrible movies for terrible actors, sounds like a winner
Morgan Freeman is gifted. Tyler Perry needs to have confidence in his work, & feel honored that he can be successor to Mr F in this role. Excellent book & movie!!!!
It's hard to fill a role knowing you'll be compared to Morgan Freeman. He's just too great of an actor.
Agreed. It's one of the best new shows of the fall tv season. I'm gonna start watching it.
I saw the first episode of this on TV last night and I have to say it is now my absolute favorite show. It is a gritty and suspenseful crime drama. Tyler Perry turns in an amazing performance. Morgan Freeman is, well, what can I say, he is masterful. If you are bored on Thursday nights at 10:00 give it a try. You'll be happy you tuned in. NBC Be There.
There have been so many Alex Cross novels in between the first 2 and Alex Cross. The books themselves have gotten worse and worse and more unbelievable so not shocking the movie adaptation would get the same types of reviews. used to be one of my favorite series/characters, but now read them as want to see how plays out, but has been come more of a chore than entertainment.