Tyler Perry’s Joe’s College Road Trip is a prime example of a timeless message being delivered by a mediocre messenger and because of this the movie feels uninspired with predictable outcomes while regurgitating jokes that worked better when they were used in episodes of the Boondocks. Tyler Perry shows his confidence in his ability as a director when he is directing himself in 3 different roles, but he still has to work on his screenwriting since the dialogue in the script used in this installment of his Medea franchise felt like it was written by A.I. The cast does what they can with what they are given, and I will admit that Jermaine Harris scenes with Amber Reign Smith are able to a realistic progression in their relationship even if it is on a sped-up timeline with an ending that feels incomplete. This arrives just in time for Black History Month, and it gives a noticeably half-hearted attempt to shoehorn in a message that simply boils down to each one teach one. Better road trip movies include Johnson Family Vacation (2004), Rain Man (1988), We’re the Millers (2013), Josh and S.A.M. (1993), Are We There Yet? (2005), The Sure Thing (1985), Little Miss Sunshine (2006), Easy Rider (1969), Road Trip (2000), National Lampoon’s Vacation (1983), and College Road Trip (2008) to name a few. I will admit that the message in the movie about respecting the past so it doesn’t repeat in the future is a valid one for the present state of the world, but that important lesson may get lost in the disorderly manner it is presented to those who need to learn it. I rate this movie a rating of 2 & 1/2 out of 5.
