The term “rapper-actor” doesn't instill a great deal of optimism into casual moviegoers, though it’s not like the wannabe thespians themselves have done much to help the issue. Not all of hip-hop’s stars with Hollywood aspirations are an embarrassment to the craft. Technically, Will Smith falls in this category, as do respectable performers such as Mos Def, Ice Cube, and Queen Latifah. Props are also due to Eminem, who gave a solid performance in 2002’s 8 Mile even though he basically played himself.
For every 8 Mile, however, there’s a Killa Season (starring Cam'ron and the whole Dipset), a bootlegger special that strips cinema of its finest attributes and plays like an extended BET: Uncut music video. Even worse are bad rapper movies produced within the Hollywood system, whether the spitter is the headliner or a mere co-star.
This weekend, co-star Bow Wow will once again try for a box office hit in Tyler Perry’s typically painful looking Madea’s Big Happy Family. He plays the aloof son of a sick mother (Loretta Devine), who just so happens to be transvestite Madea’s (Perry) niece. If that doesn’t entice you into seeing Bow Wow’s latest movie, how about this: It also co-stars the Old Spice guy.
Yeah, there’s little doubt that Madea’s Big Happy Family will suck, but the real question is whether it’ll be any worse than The 25 Worst Movies Starring Rappers. Have a look at the crap pack and prejudge for yourselves.