Review of Little Fockers (2010) by Podcasting's Brock ! — 02 Mar 2012

No where near as bad as I thought it was going to be, but still not a great movie.

The start of the movie is weighed down with the classic sequel issue of too many characters. But once the re-introduction to the characters is completed, the movie improves. I found most of the second act more than watchable, and dare I say it, enjoyable. The screenplay is much better written than I anticipated, surprisingly building and layering on set-ups that I thought they were just throwaway plot points and gags.

Now, that being said, they do throw away a couple of characters and plot points, and there are not many laugh out loud moments. They do muster smile-inducing ones, though. I did like the Jaws joke. Unfortunately, the big finish felt overdone, obvious and settled up too pat. By the end, you get tired of the characters and the schenanigans. I was more than ready to send these little Fockers off to bed.

The returning cast members are comfortable in their roles, and I think that is a big reason the second act mostly works. The new additions did their jobs, but they were all overcast in their roles. I mean, I am happy Harvey Keitel and Laura Dern are working, but they are given one-notes characters here that didn't require their talent. Jessica Alba did fine, too, but she came off like she was trying too hard and lacked chemistry with Stiller.

A marked improvement over the last one for certain, but not enough here to suggest you watch. Not recommend.