The Fockers Do Rock!

Rating: 8/10 (14 May 2005)

How much can we expect of a comedy? Hilarity, jokes, and antics will doubtlessly pop into our must list. But is there anything more significant? We probably shake our head and give a contemptuous grin. Nonetheless, with that in mind, "Meet the Fockers" is going to subvert and further rejuvenate our obsolete ideas with novelty. Carrying the triumphant halo from "Meet the Parents," this sequel would like to, not surprisingly, excite the audience's laughter all the way out of the theater by its exquisite, sometimes even bawdy, wordplay everywhere. On the other hand, the exceptional cast, combined in force with a still-riveting theme and ingenious directing, satisfies the taste of various audiences even more.
As a follow-up to the previous installment, the main focus in the film is simplehow the newlywed-to-be Greg and Pam settle the marriage issue down and above all, the two incompatible families forced to live under one roof for a weekend. Although the plot may be humdrum and within expectation, the successful part lies in that it is four years since "Meet the Parents" entertained young and old, so lots of people's memory of it has somewhat dwindled away. All the gags thus won't be regarded as some resurrection of platitude. For instance, old school Jack Byrne, always reminiscent of CIA old days, still emphasizes the essence of "circle of trust," which turns him into a giggle this time. What can be considered original is baby Jacky, or little sign language expert. He further lightens the aura of the film, but the shame is that the kiddo contributes little to the overall development of the theme.
If "Meet the Fockers" becomes another box office sensation worldwide,Barbra Streisand and Dustin Hoffman should take the credit for it. Most of the film's conflicts as well as pleasantry derive from the direct clash among Dustin and De Niro, the former with a screw loose and the latter being over-judgmental. The contrastive roles lend force to the intensity of the movie. Barbra performs quite well as a sex therapist, who helps mend up the insipid sex life of Jack and Dina. She fully exposes the idiosyncrasy of an avant-garde but considerate woman. As for Ben Stiller, he actually does a better job compared to his previous acting, even though his role is paranoid and freaked out by incidents throughout. I like his interpretation of an edgy young guy attempting to cater to both sides of parents. On the whole, the casting manages to freshen up the old material and makes it captivating.
When it comes to a good comedy, skillful directing is a prerequisite. Puns and jokes compose the major part of "Meet the Fockers." Some of them do hit the right nail on the head. Upon hearing "Central Lack of Intelligence," I couldn't help clapping hands wildly. Moreover, Hoffman's role sparks some witty rhymes from time to time, while De Niro remains a poker face. The cultural distinction in the film then emerges. But inevitably, some plots falls flat. The pun "Focker" has been overexploited so much that it has becomes stale to elicit any kind of jokes from it. Murphy's Law is another worn out paradigm, such as the broken windshield without insurance in this comedy. But it is already quite corny to the degree that can only cause some odds-and-ends chuckles. Despite the flaws, Jay Roach's efforts on interweaving two episodes together are still worth a big hand.
The sharp, hilarious undertone of "Meet the Fockers" certainly makes it a great coffee spitter. Easy-to-follow themes from the last installment, talents of actors and actresses, and the tactful use of comedic elements and cultural issues by the director keep the audience sitting back and laughing till we choke on our mouth water. Some finicky critics may not recommend it by saying that it is way too tacky. But who cares? I am pretty sure that a lot of people are looking forward to "Meet the" series in the years to come. Fockers, you rock!