"Fockers" is better than the original

Rating: 9/10 (13 May 2005)

"Meet The Fockers" breaks the mould in comedy sequel tradition by being better and funnier than the first, without simply playing out the same situations with a twist. It even makes the bold step of slightly altering the formula that made "Meet The Parents" such a hit.
Just like in "Meet The Parents," Gaylord Focker (Stiller) is still tentatively trying to appease his fiancé's (Polo) overbearing father, Jack Byrnes (De Niro), who is quite possibly more intimidating now that Gaylord is in Jack's "trust circle." Despite the smiles and awkward pleasantries, it's clear to everyone that tension still runs deep between father and future son-in-law, and what better way to strengthen the bond between Focker and Byrnes than to have both families meet? Of course, anyone who would name their child Gaylord must be astronomically different from the tightly wound Byrnes family, and therein lies the premise. But you already knew that.
The one true strength "Meet The Fockers "possesses that sets it apart from its predecessor is its basis in characters. While "Meet The Parents" was all about putting Gaylord in the worst, most humiliating situations possible, "Meet The Fockers" is about polar opposites and how they interact. That's not to say, however, that there aren't plenty of humiliating moments for poor Gaylord Focker  there are plenty. More on that later. Another driving force behind this sequel's success is its storytelling, an element that is greatly strengthened this time around. The storyline is more cohesive, and there is a clearer sense of plot structure, rather than simply skit after skit. Similarly, there is more attention paid to setting up the climax, so the audience truly feels a sense of satisfaction by the movie's end.
The success of Meet The Parents can be attributed to a single factor: situational comedy, or, more specifically, putting Gaylord into as many embarrassing situations as possible, while his fiancé's parents watch in horror. In "Meet The Fockers," Gaylord isn't alone in a world of Byrnes; this time the Byrnes are put into equally awkward situations as the sex-obsessed Fockers say one crude thing after another. That isn't to say they are unlikable. If that were true, the movie would fail. But it does mean that much of the movie's humour comes in the form of a sex-related joke. It's not necessarily a terrible thing, after all, it is very funny, but it somehow cheapens the comedy.
"Meet The Fockers" is a hilarious movie that does its predecessor one better, never stooping to simply rehashing the best jokes from "Meet The Parents." Strong characters, clever (although wince-inducing) situations, and a strong storyline make "Meet The Fockers" even better than "Meet The Parents," and most definitely worth seeing.