Directed by Rob Cohen
Starring Tyler Perry, Matthew Fox
Well, so much for Tyler Perrys foray into action-thriller territory, because Alex Cross fails on almost every level and is one of 2012s most forgettable cinematic experiences.Based on the brilliant detective-psychologist character (who was previously played twice by Morgan Freeman) from the bestselling James Patterson novels, Perry, who is best known for dressing in drag as Madea Simmons in several films, tries to bring some intensity to an otherwise bland outing.
This time around, Cross engages in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a serial killer (Fox) after things get very personal for the investigator.Unfortunately, the films execution is so bland and clichéd, its amazing it ever saw the light of day.For starters, most characters are paper thin and one-dimensional with Edward Burns providing only brief respite as Cross wise-cracking partner.Rachel Nichols is simply a pretty face, veteran John C. McGinley is reduced to stock one-liners and Foxs overacting is simply distracting as the psychotic and alarmingly thin antagonist.
The movies lazy screenplay takes a heavy-handed approach to virtually all the scenes as things are spelled out in a clunky style, leaving no room for any subtlety or genuine emotion.Rob Cohens frantic direction of the films action sequences only add to the list of problems.
A sequel is already in the works, which is baffling considering how many things went wrong with this production; Tyler Perry should stick to playing Madea because his future as an action star looks grim at this point.
