Little Fockers

Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) has finally begun to earn the respect of his ex-CIA father-in-law, Jack Byrnes (Robert De Niro) but one important test still lies ahead: will Greg prove that he has what it takes to be the family’s next “Godfocker” … or will the circle of trust be broken for good? Returning co-stars Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand are joined by newcomers Jessica Alba, Laura Dern and Harvey Keitel in this hysterical family affair.Ben Stiller and Robert De Niro return as the comic duo of a hapless, eager-to-please son-in-law and an overbearing father-in-law in Little Fockers. Despite the title, there’s not much of the kids in this sequel; like Meet the Parents and Meet the Fockers, Little Fockers is all about the tension-fraught relationship between crusty ex-CIA agent Jack Byrnes (De Niro) and male nurse Greg Focker (Stiller). This time, Jack has decided that Greg just might have what it takes to replace him as the protector and guide to the family, if he can provide for and properly educate the children. From there it’s a series of scenes in which Greg tries to meet Jack’s expectations and fails spectacularly, this time complicated by the presence of sexy pharmaceuticals rep Andi (Jessica Alba), who hires Greg to represent an erectile dysfunction drug and gives him a bag of samples… which leads pretty much where you think it might lead. This time around, the jokes are broader (the movie starts with projectile vomiting and ends with a fistfight in a bouncy castle) and the plot is even less important, but the cast (including Dustin Hoffman, Barbra Streisand, Owen Wilson, and Teri Polo) executes everything with professional skill. Fans of the previous movies will enjoy this latest installment. –Bret Fetzer