(Comedy: 1 hour, 39 minutes); Starring: Martin Lawrence, Nia Long, and Sarah Brown; Director: John Whitesell; Rated: PG-13 (Violence, sexual innuendo and mild language)

Movie Review: Malcom Turner (Lawrence) goes undercover again as Hattie Mae “Big Momma” Pierce to find out about the death of a fellow officer and friend. Agent Turner is stationed with the Fuller family, a dysfunctional well-to-do family in the suburbs, as their nanny/housekeeper. Turner’s job is to collect as much information about the patriarch of the household, Tom Fuller, the suspected designer of a dangerous computer “worm” that would allow access to critical government-intelligence files. Soon Turner, a father himself, becomes attached to the Fuller children. He finds it is hard to protect a family and be its patriarch in a matriarch’s clothing.

John Whitesell (“Malibu’s Most Wanted,” 2003) directs this wayward comedy which leaves much to be desired. “Big Momma’s House,” the prequel, was a fantastic treat and worthy of some laughs. Lawrence once again plays the obese septuagenarian Big Momma, but his efforts appear scripted and very unrealistic. The latest “Momma” tries but falls short of any glorious moments. Too bad. Lawrence and his alter-ego are invitingly enduring attachmentwise.

Grade: C- (Big disappointment)