If you saw the trailer - You saw the whole movie

Rating: 7/10 (10 October 2000)

"Meet The Parents" might have been a much more enjoyable movie experience, had I not already seen the
trailer which gave away all the punch lines.
If you've already seen the trailer, then I would suggest
waiting until the movie comes to video/DVD. It will make a
good rental then I am sure.
"Meet the Parents" is the type of movie that is all setup and
delivery. It needs surprise to work, otherwise the gags fall
flat and the viewer is cheated. At least that's how I felt while
sitting in the audience - cheated!
There are probably 10 good belly laughs scripted into the
movie, but 8 of them already had their punchlines punctured and revealed by the trailer. What a let down.
Every major joke in the movie was displayed in the trailer
and nothing was leftover to reward the ticket holder.
I am angry at the marketing folks at Dreamworks for caring
more about filling the seats in the theatre, than about what
the viewer experience would be once inside for those that
paid for a ticket.
Your mileage may vary.
This movie would have gotten an 8 if the trailer wasn't
composed of so many spoilers, as a cinema experience I
am generous by giving it a 6. That's how cheated I feel.