There comes a time in most every romantic relationship where you have to meet your significant other's parents. Although such meetings usually go well -- especially since everyone desires to be nice to their potential future in-laws -- they can go horrendously wrong. The same can be true for when the parents of both sides eventually meet each other.
Since "Meet the Parents" got the first meeting out of the way back in 2000 with often hilarious results (and huge box office returns), it was inevitable that the second meeting would finally occur. As a result, we now have "Meet the Fockers," a sequel that's not as neat and tidy as the original, but still offers some big laughs.
Having already established the tenuous relationship between Greg Focker -- Ben Stiller ("Dodgeball," "Starsky & Hutch") in his normal, tightly wound but most subdued comedy styling (rather than the aggressively hyper one) -- and his future in-laws -- the pleasant Blythe Danner ("Sylvia," "The Love Letter") and the smug and uptight Robert "I'm Watching You" De Niro ("Shark Tale," "Analyze That") -- the sequel has them thrust into comedic uncomfortableness by doing what the title suggests.
And returning director Jay Roach (the "Austin Powers" films) and writers John Hamburg ("Along Came Polly," "Zoolander") and James Herzfeld ("Meet the Deedles," "Tapeheads") had the inspired casting choices of Dustin Hoffman ("Racing Stripes," "I Heart Huckabees") and Barbara Streisand ("The Mirror Has Two Faces," "The Prince of Tides") in mind to play those parts. In an attempt to generate as much potential comedy as possible, they've made those characters the equivalent of a warm front set to clash with the already established cold one led by De Niro's thundercloud figure.
All of which means they're of the liberal, touchy-feely, emotions on the sleeve sort of personas as compared to the buttoned-down, emotionally cool and standoffishly stiff conservatives. It really isn't so much of a red state versus blue state clash as it might sound, and the contrast obviously provides for some decent laughs.
Yet, for the most part, everything feels rather manufactured rather than natural and spontaneous, as was more the case the first time around. The other angle the filmmakers take is in the to-be-expected recycling, updating and one-upping of the material from the first film. Like any sequel, the balancing act is to reference the characters, plot and gags so as to appease fans, but then make sure to put a spin on and/or increase the intensity of said material so that it doesn't just feel like a blow-by-blow retread.
The resultant mix, however, similarly feels a bit labored compared to the original. That includes the introduction of a surprise ex-relationship (this time it's for Stiller's character with his former nanny and a possible resultant love child from their past), the pets and toilet gag (this time including a dog that puts a new spin -- literally and figuratively -- on getting a "swirlie"), uses of the titular last name to sound like the "f" word, and more.
Some of that material does generate varying degrees of humor, but the various instances of crude and sexual humor (including many bits about Streisand's character being a sex therapist) isn't as "brilliant" as that found in other films, and it does begin to wear on one's funny bone and patience after a while.
As far as the performances are concerned, everyone seems to be having a good time, which goes a ways in making the film seem even more entertaining than it is. While Stiller has done this shtick so many times he could perform the role in his sleep, he's still rather good in it and his comedic chemistry and timing with De Niro are still top-notch. Hoffman has fun in his role -- and in going over the top to play it -- but since I've never been a huge fan of Streisand's, her performance just didn't work as well for me.
Danner is fine as the calmest character of the bunch, but the script doesn't give her much to do, which is also true for Teri Polo ("Beyond Borders," "Domestic Disturbance"). That's a bit surprising since she was more of an integral part of the original film (and gave it some much needed warmth) but has mostly been relegated to playing a background character here.
Owen Wilson ("The Life Aquatic with Steve Zissou," "I Spy") makes a brief cameo to reprise his role from the first, while newcomer siblings Spencer and Bradley Pickren get a lot of screen time playing a toddler whose first word, of course, is an expletive that he repeats incessantly (and which loses its comedic punch with each such recurrence).
The true litmus test of a comedy is whether it makes you laugh, so I guess I must say this one passes. Is it great? Hardly. Is it sophisticated? Not even remotely. Does it squander some of its material and beat others to death through repetition? Yes. Yet, will it make you laugh? Well, that depends on your sense of humor, but there's no denying the film has its share of laughs, both big and small. If only they were a bit smarter and not so repetitive. "Meet the Fockers" rates as a 5.5 out of 10.
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