Prolific writer/director/actor/producer Tyler Perry is at it again, his fifth film since the February 2005 debut of "Diary of a Mad Black Woman." This latest outing, yet another conversion from stage play to film, continues the Perry blend of raucous humor mixed with true-to-life dramatic situations (poverty, struggling moms, deadbeat dads, gambling/drug problems). But "Meet the Browns" has a different allure, given the star power of Angela Bassett in the lead, as well as the superstar power of retired NBA professional basketball player-turned-romantic-leading-man Rick Fox.

The film opens in Chicago, where Brenda (Bassett), single mom of three, finds herself unexpectedly out of a job. With the bill collectors at the door, her oldest boy pulled between his dreams of a hazy future in basketball and the desire to make easy money with his drug-dealing friends, Brenda gets a letter inviting her to Georgia to attend the funeral of a father she'd never known. And waiting for her at the end of the line? Those crazy Browns – loud, some jealous, some kind, some smart, some permanently confused (e.g., David Mann's recurring character, Leroy Brown). As Brenda's youngest girl states in reaction to Leroy's greeting: "Mommy, I like the clown."

The script has plenty of the expected Perry brand of wacky humor, from Jenifer Lewis' over-the-top Vera, shrieking her sorrow when not cramming down another slice of rum-soaked pound cake, to the late entrance of Tyler Perry's turn as Momma Madea, caught in a wild freeway chase. But at times the writing is somewhat awkward. How coincidental is it that Fox' Harry just so happens to be scouting Brenda's son in Chicago, then shows up a day later as the neighbor in that small Georgian town? Or the fact that even though Brenda is smitten with Harry, the slightest note of gossip turns her against him?

As for Fox, he's been steadily training in his second career since his 2004 retirement from the Lakers. Working primarily in television ("Oz," "Love, Inc.," "One Tree Hill," "Dirt," bodyguard to his ex-wife in "Ugly Betty"), this is his first venture as a leading man on the wide screen. Per Fox, "I’m still bridging that gap between yesterday as an athlete and today as an actor."

With all the frenetic humor around him, Fox plays, well, just like a fox. His performance is low-key and sincere, undercutting the high comedic energy with a straight-ahead simplicity. Of course, it doesn't hurt that his co-star Bassett has been turning in one powerful performance after another since the early-1990s.

Though it lags in spots, "Meet the Browns" serves up plenty of that fun Tyler Perry spin. As they say when they serve up that special Georgian peach pie: Enjoy, y'all.

Grading on the curve of Rick Fox's smile ... B