Meet the Fockers

What do you say about a sequel that feels like a (2-hour-long) gag reel for the first movie? That is exactly what “Meet the Fockers” feels like. It is funny…in places. Otherwise, it is just a rehash of everything int he first movie. There are predictable jokes about Ben Stiller’s name - Gaylord Focker - his profession, his fear of De Niro, De Niro’s uptightness, the “circle of trust”, “I am watching you”…you know, the usual with a generous helping of Dustin Hoffman as Stiller’s hippie lawyer-stay-at-home-dad Bertie and Barbra Streisand as his not-as-kooky-as-she-looks sex-therapist mom.

You can tell from the movie that the actors had a great time making it. Everyone of them except Teri Polo (De Niro’s little Pam Cakes, who wants to marry to Stiller) look like they are about to crack up laughing - even stiff-looking De Niro. Unfortunately, not all of it translates to the audience. Overall, it is a good film to watch if you are just bored and looking for 2 hours of fun that will let your brain take a total rest.