Meet the Fockers (2004)

by | Jul 2, 2005 | DVD & Blu-ray Video Reviews | 0 comments

Meet the Fockers (2004)

Starring:  Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Blythe Danner
Studio:  Universal
Video:  1.85:1 Widescreen Enhanced
Audio:  DD 5.1, Spanish 5.1, French 5.1
Extras:  Previews (In Good Company, Magnum P.I. Season 2, Knight
Rider Season 2, The A Team Season 2 TV series), Audio Commentary,
Deleted Scenes (20!), Behind the Scenes with Jinx the cat (4 min), The
Manary Gland (3 min), Bloopers (29!), Fockers’ Family Portrait(3
interviews), The Adventures of a Baby Wrangler (5 min), Matt Lauer
Meets the Fockers (interviews-8 min), Cast and Filmmakers (6), NBC
Comedy “Scrubs” Comedy Skit (2 min), Extended film version integrated
scenes with theatrical film 
Length:  116 minutes
Rating:  ***

Meet the Fockers is the sequel to the comedy Meet the Parents. 
Greg and Pam are to be married, but first their parents must meet—a
truly scary proposition due to their personality and lifestyle
differences.  First, they will be taking a plane to join Pam’s
parents, but instead of flying to Florida, plans are changed and they
take a trip on the family recreational vehicle.  Apart from the
difficulties that Greg seems to have getting along with Pam’s parents
and her nephew, the complications run deeper as the two intend to keep
secret the fact that Pam is pregnant.  Similar to the first film,
Pam’s father tries to find background information on Greg that will
show that he is not worthy of his daughter.  The information he
thinks he discovers coupled with the obvious differences between the
two sets of parents make for more funny situations.  And, Greg’s
character is destined to have calamity happen at every step.

It’s not essential to see the first film before watching this movie,
although it would definitely help for character development. 
Aside from that, the first film is better—partially because some of the
jokes don’t take in the same way they would if they were fresh. 
The new characters played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand add
new elements to the story, but not enough to make it a straight out
winner.  Streisand is good in the role (which is more passively
funny), but Hoffman (who is required to be more actively funny) doesn’t
seem to play off of Robert De Niro that well.  The characters
seemed strained and although the star power is clearly there, the
routines aren’t up to their level.  Besides, De Niro has done his
best work in dramatic roles, and this film proves to be no
different.  If you’re looking for a pleasant and mildly
entertaining forgetable two hours, then this film is right up your alley.

-Brian Bloom
 

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