A warmer version of what made the first one so clever

Rating: 7/10 (8 December 2015)

Meet the Fockers in many ways is a natural sequel to Meet the Parents. Its fun to see the formula turned on its head so that Jack is the one continually stumped by uncomfortable moments.
Meet the Fockers rehashes a lot of its predecessor's cringe factor but does so with a great deal more warmth thanks to the addition of flawlessly cast Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand. The two of them as hippy, life-loving retirees is so perfectly suited to a family who named their son Gaylord.
Stiller and DeNiro continue to excel in their roles, while Blythe Danner gets a bit more to do and shows what an underrated gem of a woman she is. Hoffman is absolutely hilarious but Streisand steals the show as a woman of wholesome warmth and complete openness. Its really nice to see Greg's parents take his side when Jack gets stuck into him, and its a natural momentum to see Danner and Polo's characters start to edge away from him, allowing him to continue the arc his character began at the end of last film.
The comedy felt a bit cheaper sometimes, and the presence of Little Jack seemed only to exist to set up a handful of jokes about fake breasts and the "asshole" gag. A few plot holes are lazily addressed in one of my greatest pet peeves. You're darn right its awkward to have the ex-boyfriend act as the Minister. But we have to have Owen Wilson make a cameo appearance so who cares? However, the film is warm and often very funny, making it as worthy a comedy sequel as can be expected today.