In 2000, we had the chance to see one of the greatest screen actors of our time- one known for intense, serious roles – issue the line: “I have nipples, Greg; could you milk me?” It’s one of several hilarious exchanges in Meet The Parents – a film about a nervous male-nurse meeting his girlfriend’s family for the first time – that made the film such a success. It was a riot watching Robert De Niro as Jack - the ex-CIA, over protective father - and Ben Stiller as Greg - the nervous boyfriend who tries too hard to impress - try to one-up each other. It was easy to relate because at some point, we’ve all been there.
And that’s the problem with the third film in the franchise; we’ve all been there.
In Meet The Fockers, Greg & Pam (Terry Polo) are engaged and their parents are meeting for the first time. Dustin Hoffman & Barbara Streisand are hilarious as the free-living Fockers, and the film offered up many new laughs as the parents’ personalities clash. It also relived some old favourites – especially Jack reverting back to his untrusting CIA tactics.
In Little Fockers, it just seems like we’ve already been there; done that. Pam & Greg are now married with 5-year old twins, Henry & Samantha, and they’re organizing a birthday party that will reunite the whole family in Chicago. Things come up, of course, which causes a rift in the happy little family life that Pam & Greg have achieved; The same characters are here - with Jessica Alba showing up as a perky, young drug rep who is meant to tempt and test Greg - and the same jokes are delivered. At this point, I’m over the whole “I’m watching you, watching me” routine and the whole film just feels stale.
Sure there are some funny moments (Dustin Hoffman steals the few scenes he has) and it’s an OK, if not entirely necessary, edition to the series, but overall it just lacks the overall squirm-inducing hilarity that the first, and to a degree, the 2nd film offered. For that reason, I’d say it’s something you can check out if you’re a fan of the series, but it lacks anything that would deem it a must-see.
2.5 Dented Bumpers*
*Crash’s Film Rating Legend:
5 DB’s -- Freaking Fantastic! (a rating that’s not easily attained.)
4–4.5 DB’s -- Great: It’s worth seeing again/owning.
3–3.5 DB’s -- Decent – Good (I’d watch it again on cable)
2–2.5 DB’s -- Meh; (possibly had potential, but I won’t watch it again)
1DB -- Awful; I want my money back.
Anything less is not even worth downloading illegally
-Crash-
And that’s the problem with the third film in the franchise; we’ve all been there.
In Meet The Fockers, Greg & Pam (Terry Polo) are engaged and their parents are meeting for the first time. Dustin Hoffman & Barbara Streisand are hilarious as the free-living Fockers, and the film offered up many new laughs as the parents’ personalities clash. It also relived some old favourites – especially Jack reverting back to his untrusting CIA tactics.
In Little Fockers, it just seems like we’ve already been there; done that. Pam & Greg are now married with 5-year old twins, Henry & Samantha, and they’re organizing a birthday party that will reunite the whole family in Chicago. Things come up, of course, which causes a rift in the happy little family life that Pam & Greg have achieved; The same characters are here - with Jessica Alba showing up as a perky, young drug rep who is meant to tempt and test Greg - and the same jokes are delivered. At this point, I’m over the whole “I’m watching you, watching me” routine and the whole film just feels stale.
Sure there are some funny moments (Dustin Hoffman steals the few scenes he has) and it’s an OK, if not entirely necessary, edition to the series, but overall it just lacks the overall squirm-inducing hilarity that the first, and to a degree, the 2nd film offered. For that reason, I’d say it’s something you can check out if you’re a fan of the series, but it lacks anything that would deem it a must-see.
2.5 Dented Bumpers*
*Crash’s Film Rating Legend:
5 DB’s -- Freaking Fantastic! (a rating that’s not easily attained.)
4–4.5 DB’s -- Great: It’s worth seeing again/owning.
3–3.5 DB’s -- Decent – Good (I’d watch it again on cable)
2–2.5 DB’s -- Meh; (possibly had potential, but I won’t watch it again)
1DB -- Awful; I want my money back.
Anything less is not even worth downloading illegally
-Crash-
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