Little Fockers
(M), 113 minutes, 3/5
Gaylord (known as Greg) Focker has always struggled to win the approval of his overbearing father-in-law.
A lifetime as a secret agent means Jack Byrnes (Robert de Niro) sees intrigue, conspiracies and wrong-doing in just about everything Focker (Ben Stiller) does.
The harder he tries, the more
he gets in trouble.
The third movie in the series - following Meet the Parents (2000) and Meet the Fockers (2004) - continues that same theme as Jack attempts to find a successor as the family patriarch.
A dodgy heart means Jack wants to identify and train the new family leader before Jack is snatched away by fate.
If Greg plays his cards right, he can be the new "Godfocker".
But as the men go about building their rapport and trust, Jack's snooping uncovers a liaison of Greg's that Jack is none too happy about.
Jack wonders if Greg is about to follow the path laid down by Jack's other son-in-law and stray away from the sanctity of married life.
Enter the beautiful pharmaceutical sales rep Andi Garcia (Jessica Alba) and a financial proposition Greg can't refuse.
The more time Greg spends with Andi, the more Jack becomes suspicious and the further apart the two men grow.
Is there anything to this liaison that will hurt Jack's daughter Pam (Teri Polo)?
It would not be a part of the Meet the Parents series without the slapstick "accidents" and we are not left disappointed here as the two men go about their business in the most unorthodox of ways.
While Alba adds a touch of glamour, Owen Wilson (who plays Greg's super-rich good friend, Kevin Rawley) adds his comedy magic and some heartfelt observations to Little Fockers and the movie is better for his presence.
Little Fockers brings back some wonderful characters for what should be a fond farewell from a successful series.
