Little Fockers (2010)

Family-patriarch Jack Byrnes wants to appoint a successor. Does his son-in-law, the male nurse Greg Focker, have what it takes? Little Fockers continues the success of the first 2 films and the end result is another great film packed with great perfomances, some new faces like Harvey Keitel, Laura Dern, Jessica Alba and Kevin Hart also some great hilarious moments like a fight between De Niro and Stiller, a Jaws Reference and an insane after credits remix with Jack Byrnes. Fans of the original 2 films will love this film, everyone else? should avoid it for better or for worse i guess. (10/10)

Back in the day, when producers wanted to flog a dead horse, they would make a straight to video increment of the old series. Everybody know it was crap, but if the fans want to see one of the actors: we have it for you.Bad acting. Bad scripting. Keitel used to be a very strong, very visceral actor. In here he is the Retirement Home Theatre Group. And the rest of the cast is about the same, although I got used of the washed up de Niro going through the scenes lightning fast with the same three expressions.Contact me with Questions, Comments or Suggestions ryitfork @ bitmail.ch

As I walked out of the movie "Little Fockers", I thought to myself, "why do I feel depressed?" This is a sporadic experience when I'm finished seeing a comedy that I experience a bit of melancholy. Granted, there were some tidbits of comical moments and I will say it's a small step up to the very abysmal "Meet the Fockers", but still my thoughts remain cemented. For a holiday season movie, it sure was a downer. It shames me to say it, but I think, Robert De Niro has lost his edginess quite proportionately. At one time, I considered De Niro as one of the greatest performers of all time. He literally could do no wrong in the movies he's done. From Travis Bickle, to Jimmy the Gent, from Max Cady Jake LaMotta, he was the undisputed king of cinema. No as an elderly person he has lowered his standards to silly comedies and though that may advance his versatility as a performer, it has worn out its welcome quite rapidly. It's now become sad that he let himself become a shell of his former self. Here in this trilogy, De Niro's reputation has took a turn for the worst in a film where I feel embarrassed to see him let alone to he has become. Coming back as the controlling family patriarch Jack Byrnes this third time around, as we watch a legend fall victim to self-parody. Worst thing he embraces this moment as he also serves as one of the producers like in the other two instalments.In all its formulaic glory, the saga picks up five years after the events of "Meet the Fockers" as Gaylord "Greg" Focker (Ben Stiller) dealing with his wife Pam (Teri Polo given very little to do here) and his intimidating father-in-law, Jack. Returning to the cast was Pam's old flame Kevin (Owen Wilson who's not funny here), Jack's wife Dina (Blythe Danner) and Greg's parents Bernie (Dustin Hoffman who's only on sporadically) and Roz (Barbra Streisand who's just a glorified cameo). New to the franchise is a drug representative named Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba), who's convincing Greg into taking erectile medication called "Sustengo". The narrow plot emphasizes on the trust of Jack as he pushes Greg's nerves as he tests him to see if he has what it take to be the next "Godfocker", the new patriarch of the Byrnes and Fockers. But Jack depends on surveillance and spy-checks on Greg to see if he's worthy to take his place. Jack is upset believing that Greg has been too friendly with Andi which leads to an epic conflict between Jack and Greg.Taking over the direction from Jay Roach is Paul Weitz who does all he can to keep the humor in tack, but the endless laugh-fest is not to be. You choice of humour may vary, whether you like subtle dry humour or spontaneous laughter inclined moments are there, but it's few and far between. When the dust settles it's been bogged down to film that has an absurd plot and a lacking character development. What makes "Little Fockers" uninspiring is the constant reminder that Greg's last name is familiar to a certain cute little four letter word we use when we inflict angered conversations. We get it already! Alba is the token new addition here, but she's offered little but to be seductive (especially her underwear scene) and to have a chirpy characterization.I have little to say about this movie, because there's little to talk about. Sure it's innocent in details and could pass off for a guilty pleasure with familiar faces offering nothing new to the table. Sure there's sexual innuendos aplenty, its not threatening to older children who might find it amusing. Other than the other two sequels making a nice profit, this movie had no other reason to be made and that Universal can offer the ensemble a nice check for their efforts. It's a payoff to the cast and crew, but to viewers who paid to see an original twist to the franchise, this film was an unoriginal film with recycled jokes from its predecessors.

Never have I yearned more for an ending than during this weak pointless montage of randomness. My very soul dipped in and out of consciousness while my physical skin pealed like a banana on a monkey tree. Where did the lovable Greg go? did he die and then was replaced Ben Stiller, who then went and married Pamcakes? This diverted attempt of unexplained character exchange made me feel as tough the sun had disappeared and a ball of fecal matter had replaced it.Weak "jokes" and typical escapades sucked the life out of me like a child to a sippy cup.This film to me was "A Little Focking Pathetic" Thank you.Romeo jah McHugh