[Review] Little Fockers - 27th December 2010

★★★★ - Leaves A lot To Be Desired [For rating system, see information tab at the top of blog]

Release Date: 22nd December 2010
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Director: Paul Weitz
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Writers: John Hamburg - Larry Stuckey - Based on the characters by:  Greg Glienna - Mary Ruth Clarke
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Cast: Robert De Niro - Ben Stiller - Jessica Alba - Teri Polo - Owen Wilson - Barbra Streisand - Dustin Hoffman

Review

‘Little Fockers’ is the third in this series of films but, unfortunately, is a further example of how a brilliant pair of films is then let down by a further sequel.

Originally, 'Meet The Parents' and 'Meet The Fockers' were written by Greg Glienna & Mary Ruth Clarke. They created the characters of Jack Byrnes and Gaylord 'Greg' Focker and brought them to life in a brilliant, unique and extremely comic fashion. However, with 'Little Fockers', the mantel was passed onto John Hamburg and Larry Stuckey… A transition that has ruined the trilogy.

Obviously one expects to see a continuation of the characterization in the film, but there is more than a sense of ‘déjà vu’; the realization that nothing new has been brought to add to the two previous films. These proved to be so popular because of the refreshing manner in which the 'In Law' theme was introduced. 'Little Fockers' extended the films by introducing children, or in Jack Byrnes's case, grand children in an attempt to follow the stereotypical life of a couple in love: Meet, get engaged, meet the brides parents, meet the grooms parents, marriage and have children; but unfortunately, 'Little Fockers' did not utilise these situations for comedy in that same way that its prequels did. 

Having said this, no criticism can be made about the performances by the lead cast. Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, and Teri Polo play there original roles to the same comic high standard, along with the cameo's from Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand and new role introduced by Jessica Alba. The screen chemistry still remains and cannot be ignored. 

It also has to be said that Paul Weitz directed an accurately constructed, professionally made film, but unfortunately it misses some key elements of humour and leaves the viewer feeling disappointed and somewhat cheated. It is hard to believe that this film was made for any other reason than to generate money off the back of two great comedies.