Stunt Casting Can't Save Predictable Fockers

Rating: 5/10 (28 December 2004)

This movie is a perfect rental. It's not that great and it's not un-watchable by any means. It's one of those films that is safe, cute, and you'd kick yourself in the heinie if you would've shelled out 9 bucks to see this. Basically, if you saw "Meet the Parents", then you've seen this one already without having to sit through it because it's essentially the same movie. Greg (Ben stiller) and Amy (Teri Polo) are engaged and after surviving the Byrnes family, it's now time to meet the Fockers.
Greg's folks (Barbara Streisand and Dustin Hoffman) are eccentric, loving, extremely left winged liberals and they play it to such a hilt that it's almost cartoonish at times. The Byrnes, of course are led by ex-CIA psycho dad Robert Deniro who wants nothing but the best for his daughter and family. Naturally, the two families clash and the events in the film are comical at times, but also very predictable. DeNiro brings his cute grandson along for the trip and when Greg is asked to watch the baby, you just know the first word out of the kids mouth won't be "mama" or "dada".
It's nice to see Hoffman and Barbra on screen together. It's obviously stunt casting, but it almost works. Streisand even has her 70's giant frizz hair that she parlayed in movies like "Star Is Born" and "Main Event". Hoffman is just a left winged weirdo at times that was a bit hard to take. I think better casting might have been Ben's real dad, Jerry Stiller and Estelle Harris (Seinfeld). That way you'd still have a bit of stunt casting with a more believable and nutty set of parents. Sort of a "Meet the Costanzas", if you will.
This movie is cute, charming, and funny at times, but save this one for the video store. It's just not worth the price of admission. (**1/2)