The Martin LAW-rence Theory

Just because it’s part of my last name, I don’t own a condo…

Martin Lawrence has made a very nice living in Hollywood in his last 15 years in the entertainment biz. He had a very successful sitcom, has gotten his stand-up routine to the silver screen on two different occasions, was the initial host of Def Comedy Jam, and was even engaged very briefly to the great Lark Voorhies. (So sorry, Screech.) But while all of those feats are indeed impressive resume-padders, his current state in life finds him as a movie star. This weekend, his “Big Momma’s House 2” is the incumbent champ at the box office. But we here in the YAB Moviehouse feel that this is as good a time as any to introduce a startling trend in this comedian’s ascent to cinematic stardom.

It’s the Martin LAW-rence Theory.

Funny men can mean big business at the box office time and time again. Most of them reinvent themselves with new characters each go-round. Ben Stiller has played every thing from a Dodgeball monster to a male model assassin. Jim Carrey has gone from pet detective to Count Olaf. Hell, even Chris Rock has gone from a wanna-be thug rapper to whatever he was in the crappy flick with Eugene Levy (all I remember is “Tiger Woods Y’all!”) But Martin Lawrence? He’s stays well within his comfort zone: crime. Of the 11 movies Lawrence has made in which he was the star, he has played a criminal or an officer of the law an astounding:

NINE TIMES.

9 out of 12. That’s remarkable. That means if you are flipping channels and come across Martin Lawrence bringing the funny, there’s an 75 percent chance he’s either running from the law or attempting to enforce it. And this isn’t an issue of typecasting either. No, no. Because each character approaches his profession from a slightly different angle (save sequels, of course.) I shall let the following evidence of such statistical anomalies speak for itself.

Martin Lawrence is a cop!
Bad Boys (1995) – Lawrence plays Mike Lowery, a Miami detective. Teams with Will Smith on a mission to reclaim a heroin shipment.
Big Momma’s House (2000) – Now Lawrence is an FBI agent assigned to witness protection. And the only way to protect said witness is to dress up in an old lady fat suit. Comic genius!
Bad Boys II (2003) – The nice thing about sequels is that the main characters rarely change professions. Another detective role. Shocker.
Big Momma’s House 2 (2006) – Once you go sequel, you never go back. FBI agent, part deux!

Martin Lawrence is a criminal!
Nothing to Lose (1997) – As car jacker, Lawrence’s T. Paul thinks he’s at the top of his game. Enter Tim Robbins as a co-conspirator. Exit credibility.
Life (1999) – Stuck in jail with life imprisonment, Martin’s a bad criminal. Why? Because he got caught.
What’s the Worst that Could Happen? (2001) – Good God, how many jewel thieves can one guy play?

Martin Lawrence does both!
Blue Streak (1999) – Looks like the screenwriters are getting tricky. Lawrence plays a jewel thief (CRIMINAL!) who after his jail sentence looks to recover a diamond he hid – in the police station! For the rest of the movie, he poses as a POLICE OFFICER! Pure genius.
National Security (2003) – First he’s a cop. Then he gets kicked out. Then he becomes a security guard. Then he solves a crime. Then he ends up with stolen goods. Then he runs from the law. Then he saves the day for the good guys. My head hurts.

9 out of 12. Good enough for a theory.