Little Fockers (2010) Review

director: Paul Weitz

writers: John Hamburg, Larry Stuckey

starring: Ben Stiller, Robert De Niro, Owen Wilson, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba

genre: Comedy







Little Fockers is the continuation of the original film Meet the Parents (2000) and it's first sequel Meet The Fockers (2004). The second sequel is a film that wasn't needed, wasn't demanded but came nonetheless like most sequels and Hollywood films. But now that its out is it any good? is it worth your money? or should you wait for the DVD? The answers our meh, no and definitely. Little Fockers could have been much more if it was anything more like the previous films that actually had laugh out loud material and that also didn't give out all its best jokes within their theatrical trailers.

The Fockers are back. Greg (Ben Stiller) and Pam (Teri Polo) are now happy parents with two kids in Chicago. But as always the in-laws on both sides cant help and but be a healthy part of their lives. With kids the Fockers now have to do their best to provide and live up to their parents expectations especially Jack's  (Robert De Niro). Jack expects the best from Greg in finance, marriage, fatherhood and maybe one day being the leader of the whole family as the God-Focker. But as always Greg and Jack relationship never goes smoothly. Misunderstandings will be at every step to ruin the family and for Greg and Jack to set things straight between them.

The main problem with the film as with many other films these days is the eagerness on the part of the production or the studio to spoil the best jokes and plot points within there advertisements of the film beyond belief. Hollywood assumes to much that audiences don't get that the film wont be much more than what they show. But sometimes do we fall into that trap as except much more from the people in the production. Only few directors with some creative control do their best and spare us of all the best moments of a film before the film is released. I'm saying that if I wasn't spoiled of these jokes would film be massively better but it does ruin the overall experience.

For a film that is light on humor it does have a lot of heart and does nail its characters pretty perfectly. The only problem with the story is that it's not accompanied by stellar jokes and funny situations on par with the previous films. Also how many times will we see Jack and Greg at odds? Its been done to death, couldn't have they thought of anything else more interesting? But its still a consolation that the characters are all true to there nature, they make the best out of the situations and that the film is never boring.

For all its faults Little Fockers is good DVD movie. It disappoints, but still is casually pleasurable at passing the time and laughing here and there. It dosen't come close to the previous films and sadly relies on jokes that were spoiled to death by trailers and TV spots. Spend your money elsewhere by seeing Due Date or Megamind and not a film that should have been a straight to DVD release and that will probably disappoint.

Personal Rating:

Review by Paul