Film
“Alex Cross” Is A Tantalizing Thriller
By LaDale Anderson
Oct 23, 2012 - 7:14:09 PM

HOLLYWOOD—Tyler Perry in a role besides his popular character Madea is a stretch.   My first impression when hearing about his role as a detective in the movie “Alex Cross” is just when Madea will show up in the picture.  Oddly enough, that really never happened.  Perry does a decent job shattering any preconceived notions people may have about him only playing a character in drag. 

“Alex Cross” is another chapter from the popular books by James Patterson that chronicles the life of Detective Alex Cross.  The role has been previously portrayed by Oscar-winner Morgan Freeman in “Kiss the Girls” and “Along Came a Spider,” both exceptional thrillers in my opinion.  This movie does hold its own, without Freeman in the title role. 

Cross (Perry) is on the trial of a sadistic killer that relishes the adrenaline rush he gets from torturing people.   That psychopath is portrayed by “Lost” alum Matthew Fox.  There are some gruesome images in the picture, and those weak in the stomach may have to turn away at times.  Fox is convincing to a degree as a lunatic on the loose; the only problem is that he twitches a lot. Perhaps that could be because of his condition, which is never explained to the audience.  You can decipher that it involves some sort of abnormality with his brain.   

Detective Alex Cross (Tyler Perry) searching for a killer.

The cat and mouse thriller easily gets the audience hooked.  I found myself eager to discover just how things would end and just who is the mastermind behind all the mayhem. Cicely Tyson has a welcome role as Cross’ domineering mother who instills in her son to be aware that actions do indeed have consequences.  

The biggest gripe I had with the picture is the relationship between Detective Cross (Perry) and his partner Detective Kane (Edward Burns).  The chemistry was not there.  I did not buy for a second that these two guys were lifelong friends; the conversations between the two at times came across forced and not genuine.  The actors in my opinion did not mesh well together, but separately both deliver convincing performances. 

“Alex Cross” is a taut-thriller that finds its way to suture the audience very early on. Does the picture have a memorable ending, not so much, but its storytelling capabilities are exciting to watch on the screen? Perry’s performance may surprise the public who is used to seeing the actor, writer, director, and producer play matriarch Mable "Madea” Simmons. It’s not the greatest performance of all time, but a well-suited one for the actor.