Succeeds where so many sequels fail

Rating: Null/10 (27 May 2005)

I was expecting something fairly poor before I watched this, but I have to say that this was a pleasant surprise. So many sequels have been obvious cash-ins that you have to be sceptical about follow-up films. Thankfully this is good humoured fun. The big names from Meet the Parents are all back, De Niro again stealing the show as the control freak ex-CIA dad! Stiller is also on fine form as the unlucky Greg. Basically, this is something of a rehash of film 1, but its done very well. Dustin Hoffman was an inspired choice as Greg's dad, whilst Barbara Streisand is surprisingly good as his mum. By having such wacky and off-the-wall parents for Greg, there's a great contrast to the serious and up-tight parents that we met in film 1. The parental clash seems to be between ultra-Republicans and laid back liberals, but this makes for some good comedy. There are plenty of embarrassing moments in this, which repeats the theme of film 1. Worth watching.