
MEET THE PARENTS 3. LITTLE FOCKERS (REVIEW)
Rated
M - 98 mins
Ben Stiller, Robert DeNiro, Jessica Alba, Olga Fonda, Dustin Hoffman,
Barbara Streisand, Owen Wilson
It has been 10 years since
we first met male nurse Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) after he was first embraced
in the circle of trust by his paranoid father in-law and ex CIA agent Jack Byrnes
(Robert DeNiro).
This third instalment to the 'Meet the Parents'
franchise involves few fresh jokes and situations, but mostly this is plaid. The
premise of the first two were outrageous involving real life dilemmas made fun
of with a few crazy situations thrown in for comic effect. Any joy is ruined with
the constant creepy bad taste. Not to mention foolish 'Godfather' and 'Jaws' references
that simply lampoon without affection. Vintage this is not.
All
the characteristics of the first two are evident, but choosing the director of
AMERICAN PIE to take over from stalwart Jay Roach turns out to be a very bad move.
The Focker twins are about to turn five years old and a massive celebration is
planned. Jack approaches Greg in confidence regarding a suspect bad heart condition.
He thinks with regret that the reigns to the family may have to be passed onto
Greg, as the god focker! Meanwhile with the heart palpitations being controversial,
in walks a gorgeous pharmaceutical representative that comes to the attention
of everybody, she may be an influence for the worse.
Things
get spicy and Jack gets suspicious even though everyone is actually out to help
him feel better. The stupid situations keep on rolling when Owen Wilson shows
up, he's the ex-lover of Mrs Focker who is now translating a Zen power to anyone
who'll listen, nobody. Multiple cringeworthy comic moments are not as bold or
subversive as they should be, the actors don't look interested with discouraging
moments and forced comedy not something I want to see.
Overall,
'Little Fockers' may please a disconcerting holiday crowd, but adding unpredictable
children is a true feeling of when a once successful film has run out of ideas.
Ben Stiller holds things together, just. The magnificent Robert DeNiro is formulaic
if I can say that about the legend, while Babs (Streisand) and Dusty (Hoffman)
have too little screen time. Even Harvey Keitel (The Piano, Reservoir Dogs) shows
up fleetingly, only he's conspicuous rather than meaningful to the plot.
'Little
Fockers' didn't need to be made. See this if you must for an immense cast of professionals;
just don't expect a comedy classic.
Shane A. Bassett