better than the first

Rating: 6/10 (4 January 2005)

The sequel to the ever popular "Meet the Parents." I should probably mention that I'm not a fan of the first movie. I can't take humiliation comedy, and I only felt sympathy for poor George Focker (Stiller). Can we give the poor guy a break already? Nope. We're gonna make a sequel about his embarrassing parents.
At the beginning of the movie we learn George and Pam (Polo) are planning their wedding. Now all that has to happen: Pam's parents, Jack (De Niro) and Dina (Danner), have to meet George's parents, Bernie (Hoffman) and Roz (Streisand). The movie ensues with more humiliation comedy put on poor George. However, the sequel actually has some heart.
The Focker family made this movie really enjoyable for me. Streisand and Hoffman's characters were so charming. It's not that they intentionally wish to embarrass their son, they just REALLY love him. One of the jokes in the movie includes the parents "shrine" dedicated to their son's "achievements." This includes "9th place ribbons" and a trophy that reads "world's greatest male nurse." Bernie and Roz are the type of couple that are out there but see themselves as normal. Everyone else around them is just closed in and not in touch with their feelings. Now combine these two with De Niro's character. Instant laughs.
Overall, I enjoyed "Meet the Fockers" much more than "Meet the Parents." I'm still not a big fan of humiliation comedy, but I still found myself enjoying this one. Therefore, I feel good giving this one my recommendation