Alex Cross

In the screen adaptations of James Patterson's Kiss the Girls and Along Came a Spider, Morgan Freeman played forensic psychologist-turned-detective Alex Cross. Now, the role has been turned over to Tyler Perry—best known for writing, directing, and starring in the cross-dressing Madea franchise—who unfortunately lacks the requisite gravitas that Freeman brought to the part. In Detroit, trench coat-clad Cross is on the trail of a savage, sadistic psychopath known as Picasso because of the weird, cubistic charcoal sketches he leaves with his tortured murder victims, who are culled from the city's ultra-rich upper classes. But the homicidal peril becomes personal when the executioner targets Cross's friends and family. Longtime friend and partner Thomas Kane (Edward Burns) is sure that the brilliant Cross will have no problem putting these surrealist clues together, but as portrayed by Perry, the character is hard to believe (although Matthew Fox plays the bare-headed, tattooed villain with visceral intensity). Awkwardly directed by Rob Cohen, Alex Cross is full of sexualized violence against women and gruesome action sequences, punctuated by sappy glimpses of Cross's home life with his pregnant wife (Carmen Ejogo) and overbearing “Nana Mama” (Cicely Tyson). Not recommended. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include an audio commentary by director Rob Cohen, “The Psychologist and the Butcher” making-of featurette with author James Patterson (14 min.), deleted scenes (5 min.), trailers, and bonus UltraViolet and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a disappointing film.] (S. Granger)