Meet a Bad Idea.

Rating: 5/10 (20 March 2016)

Meet the Fockers (2004): Dir: Jay Roach / Cast: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman, Barbara Streisand, Teri Polo: Sequel that regards anticipation or expectation of one's character or personality. Ben Stiller and his fiancé are tying the knot but her parents must meet his parents so her father loads up the motor home and off they go to Florida. Simple setup descends into sitcom situations and a misguided scene towards the end regarding a cop. More focused than Meet the Parents, which is also directed by Jay Roach. This is his second comedy franchise after having directed the Austin Powers films. While an improvement over the first film it is still a battle of trust between Stiller and Robert De Niro, only this time meeting the parents is replaced with preparing for marriage. And the whole subplot regarding De Niro's nephew is unnecessary. On the plus side Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand steal scenes as Stiller's parents. Hoffman is an ex-lawyer turned stay at home father, and Streisand is a sex therapist for the elderly. It is obvious that a reunion will be met but despite its flaws, this is more durable to sit through. Teri Polo as Stiller's wife is every bit as cardboard here as she was in the first film. Her role should be solid but instead it is a filler. Well made sequel with a theme regarding how our parents' lifestyle can embarrass despite honest intentions. Score: 5 ½ / 10