Byron Edwards, Urban News Room

(UNR) Tyler Perry’s ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?‘ came in second at the box office this weekend making $30.2 million proving that Tyler Perry knows exactly how to make a hit film.

The sequel picks up where the 2007, “Why Did I Get Married?” left off; this time with the four successful couples preparing for their annual one-week vacation to share, reconnect, and renew their marriages in the tropical Bahamas.  In true Tyler Perry fashion, what you would expect to be a peaceful vacation turns into a dramatic nightmare.

After a three-year lapse, the characters have grown. ‘Why Did I Get Married Too?‘ spends more time outside of the retreat, focusing on the characters and the dynamics they face within their relations.

The movie opens up with Dianne (Sharon Leal) and Terry’s (Tyler Perry) relationship as the perfect couple free of the marital strains they encountered in the first film.  They now have a son and are focused on raising their children.

Angela (Tasha Smith) enters full of action, arguing, yelling, and complaining about Marcus (Michael Jai White) infidelities, while questioning his faithfulness now that he’s a famous sportscaster.

Troy (Lamman Rucker) and Sheila (Jill Scott) are happily married, new parents, and have relocated to Atlanta to be closer to family and friends. Troy, who is struggling to find work in the new city questions if they should even be on a vacation.

Sheila’s ex-husband, Mike (Richard T. Jones), who is now single and has a shocking secret, arrives to Bahamas.  Hoping to break up her new marriage, the couples decide to continue with their vacation and allow Mike to join.

The main character, Patricia (Janet Jackson), a successful self-help psychologist, faces the flaws in her picture perfect marriage to Gavin (Malik Yoba).  The couple, which is obviously the least happy of the friends, continues to attempt hold it together, eventually having to face the issues within their own marriage.

It’s no wonder Tyler Perry continues to be one of the top grossing filmmakers.  He knows exactly how to please his audience, majority of which are African American women who love shirtless men and drama.  As I sat in the sold out Saturday morning 10 AM showing, I braced myself for what I knew would be an adventure.  From the moment the previews started, the theater was in a constant chatter analyzing every scene, laughing, finishing lines, and yelling as if they too had been casted as an extra.

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As a fan of “Why Did I Get Married”, I was skeptical if Tyler Perry could deliver a classy funny sequel that I would be happy with.  Overall, Perry delivered what I would describe as a “Hot Ghetto Mess”, estimating that his audience would prefer unrealistic over-the-top drama versus a well-written sensible script.

The scenes were long, the situations inflated, and the revelations became predictable as the movie continued.  At times I was uncertain if I was watching a soap opera or a horror film; and found myself hoping that all of the marriages would end in divorce or a tragic accident to ensure that a third installment was not created.

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Through it all I would suggest everyone to support Tyler Perry and see the film.  The debates I’ve engaged in over the weekend have been interesting.  It seems that “Why Did I Get Married Too?” is one that people either love or hate, but everyone agreeing that a good laugh was obtained, either from the movie or from the audience commentary.

Byron Edwards, Contributor – UrbanNewsRoom.com