One of the best sequels...

Rating: 8/10 (7 February 2005)

... ever. I've seen the first one and it was good. At times too much slapstick comedy, but it was a good movie, especially due to DeNiro's superb acting and his quirky character.
Usually I do not care too much for sequels, because they are aimed towards making some money and are mostly lame. Not in this case, even though it raked in a ridiculous amount of money. DeNiro is one of my favorite actors, so I thought it can't be that bad, if he accepted to star in it - he can't be that desperate, can he?. But the all-star cast of that movie, especially with a powerful Hoffman and an adorable Streisand is a perfect 'circle'. Stiller is just trying to be funny, but unfortunately he can't deliver in the vicinity of such awesome performances. Even Blythe Danner, who stars in !Huff - and she does a superb job - out-acts Stiller. Stiller tries, but he neither reaches the level of acting nor has he the experience, he is just a comedian, not a good actor.
The story runs along the lines of the first movie, except the both families get to meet each other. That provides for some comic momentum, as well as the totally different characters of the family provide for some hilarious sit-com. The story if somewhat predictable, especially towards the end, but that does not really matter, because that is not the point. Hoffman and DeNiro just act it out, so to speak, and it is just a joy to watch them both in full swing. More than one time I was not only smiling, or giggling, I was laughing out loud and slapping my thighs because these two are awesome.
There are few scenes where they transport so much humor, without being too 'humoristic', if you catch my drift. If you have seen it, you will know. Just pay attention to it. My favorite scene is the one where Hoffman tries to hinder DeNiro from leaving with his RV. Absolutely awesome!
I did not give it the whole 10, because of a few small glitches in the storyline, mostly because of Stiller, who plays good, but simply can't keep up with the others. And last, but not least, because of the prospect of another sequel, which is certainly possible due to the commercial success the movie had. So, 'just' a niner from me.