Better than the original--- this one is a true love story, with warmth, charm, and wit

Rating: 9/10 (28 January 2005)

Great sequel---I didn't care for the original very much. It was too negative, too many of the 'jokes' revolved around frustration, mishaps, and pain. Not my scene! But this second one was VERY good! I was especially surprised, and pleasantly, by Barbara Streisand's performance. I actually liked her. A LOT. The rest of the cast was outstanding as well. 'Meet the Fockers' had lots of jokes, but wasn't the 'madcap' zany freak-fest the first tried (and failed, ultimately) to be. This was more of a sustained wit. It also has charm, grace, and warmth. I found that surprising, because it is marketed (at least here in the UK) more as a slapstick job.
It is not too much to say that this movie was actually somewhat of a love story--- and for the first time, I could actually see what the various characters might be seeing in each other. I was charmed, delighted, and completely won over. Good show!