Customer Reviews

Meet the Parents [VHS]

5 star:		(158)
4 star:		(86)
3 star:		(49)
2 star:		(45)
1 star:		(57)

 

 

This review refers to the VHS edition(Universal) of "Meet the Parents"......

You may not think your in-laws are really so bad after seeing what poor Greg Focker has to go through with his future family. Yes you read right, his name is Greg Focker and he's about to spend the weekend with the parents of the girl he intends to marry. Pam's dad, Jack Byrnes, really loves his daughters, and any man who wants to share their lives better be up to his standards. He's an ex-CIA agent who will scrutinize your every move and you better like his cat as well.What will it take for Greg to win the hand of the girl he loves..and does he really want to be a part of this crazy family after all? It's laugh out loud stuff as every move he makes turns into a hysterical series of events that has Pam's family turning against him.

Who else could be the over protective,over bearing,over analyzing, prospective father-in-law than than Mr. Tough Guy himeslef..Robert De Niro. His straight faced comic timing is just one more side of this very talented actor. Ben Stiller is a laugh a minute as he tries to please this unpleasable Dad.
The rest of the cast is nicely rounded out by Blythe Danner,Teri Polo,James Rebhorn and the fabulous Owen Wilson. Director Jay Roach brings this terrifc ensemble together beautifully and the music by Randy Newman adds more fun to the story.It's one of those great comedies that is still funny with repeated viewings.

The VHS is in Stereo surround, sounds great,has closed captions, and has a nice picture as well.

So kick back,enjoy the film, but..be careful not to let the cat out!.....have fun with this great addition to you comedy or De Niro collection.....Laurie

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You don't need a lot of words to describe a movie this funny. I really didn't stop laughing from the very first minute of the movie. I admit that I have been disappointed by Stiller movies in the past, like "There's Something About Mary" and "Mystery Men". I didn't hate them, but I didn't really want to watch them over again after seeing them.

Ben and Deniro are both brillant together in this movie. They are both from completely different planets as far as comedic prowess and that makes them work great against each others characters. The play on Focker's name is just so hilarious. It's a great movie, I could watch it over and over again.

In a year filled with less-than-par movies (especially those in the comedic genre) this was a breath of fresh air. I haven't heard a theatre audience laugh harder since 1995 when I watched "Dumb & Dumber". This is a similar comedy with a little more sense and a little less slapstick.

Greg Focker is a nurse who, before asking his girlfriend to marry him, must visit her parents and o.k. it with them. Things seem to be going well enough when he picks up the wrong bag at the airport, causing the oncoming hell that is 'Meeting the parents'.

Robert DeNiro stars as the father, an ex CIA agent who keeps a very close eye on Focker, and doesn't like what he sees. He mistakes him for a pot smoking, test-cheating, porno-watching liar who isn't fit for his daughter. At the comedic climax of the film, DeNiro even gives Focker a polygraph test.

In the end, sides aching, this film left me more satisfied than I'd been walking out of a theatre in a LONG time. Although comedies typically don't get oscar nods, this one is certainly deserving.

Lets pray for a "Meet The Parents, The Sequel" to save us from future movie boredom.

My husband & I actually went to see this movie the week before he was going to ask my father for my hand in marriage - thank God he already knew my family, or I think this movie may have scared him off!!!

I have to say that we laughed SO hard during this movie that our cheeks hurt! And, everyone else in the theater was laughing hysterically too. In fact, when it was over, everyone in the theater stood up and clapped - I've only seen a standing ovation in a movie theater twice in my life!

"Meet the Parents" is a romantic comedy about about an awkward guy who is ready to ask his girlfriend to marry him. However, just as he's ready to pop the question, he finds out that her sister's boyfriend had just asked her father for her hand in marriage (and his girlfriend makes it clear that she thinks that this is the way it should be)- so now, he not only has to meet her parents, he has to look good enough in their eyes so that they'll say yes to his proposal.

Well, he winds up becoming even more awkward - telling lies just to look better than he his, and always in such a way that ANYONE could tell he's not on the up & up. To boot, her father is a CIA agent, so of course he can see right through his shinanagins (did I spell that right???). This is hysterical in & of itself, but then the physical comedy comes to play (think Jack Tripper of "Threes Company")... Put together, this movie just couldn't be funnier!!!

If you're looking for a great romantic comedy, & want to laugh until your cheeks hurt, then I HIGHLY recommend this movie!

MEET THE PARENTS is billed as the hysterical comedy of the year and the vociferous accolades is justified because of the impeccable acting and the outstanding supporting ensemble. Robert De Niro is at his best in this comedy with his wry humour and irresistible dry wits. Ben Stiller charms as the male paramedic, Greg Focker who embarks on a treacherous "Meet the Parents" session when he decides to settle down with Pam (Teri Polo). A series of accidents happen and Greg begins to reconsider his options when her ex-boyfriend played by Owen Wilson stepped in. The whole mess including breaking the urn of De Niro's beloved mother and the reciting of the "prayer", breaking the nose of Pam's sister at a volleyball game - makes such a hilarious turn and imaginative gloss to the plot.

However, it is the acting that shines - especially De Niro and Stiller with such perfect comedic timing that they fill up the screen with luminous presence. Never a dull moment, although the slapsticks do occur - "Puff the Magic Dragon " and all the cranky jokes on Focker's name - makes it entertaining and accessible yet not crude. The director Jay Roach (AUSTIN POWERS) sits back prudently to watch the two leads steal the show with their effervescent chemistry. Never mind the plot - just watch the two male actors enchant. This is definitely one comedy that is so affable and adorable that it requires no parental guidance.

A second DVD release ("Bonus Edition") came out at the end of 2004 to coincide with the theatrical release of the sequel, Meet the Fockers. The only additional material is more outtakes and some short featurettes. The original DVD had plenty of extras, including outtakes, deleted scenes, two commentaries, and more, so don't fall for the double dip. The difference in price is only three bucks, so if you don't own it already, it won't kill you to spring for the "bonus" one. But if you already own the "Collector's Edition" from 2001, there's no point in upgrading.

I imagine the people that didn't like this flick probably watched it alone, or maybe with a significant other. Many comedies need a group viewing (theatres obviously work best) to get the full laugh effect. I viewed "Parents" twice: once alone with my wife, and again the next day with a few relatives over. It was definitely "funnier" the second time. Likewise, my 2nd screening of "American Pie" (solo) did not produce nearly the same laughs as my first screening with my beer-swilling friends. I believe setting has a lot to do with how a comedy is perceived.

That said, "Parents" was a funny flick. I am not a big DeNiro in a comedy setting, but he handled himself great here. Ben Stiller has obviously found his niche and was again funny here. Teri Polo looked juicy and held her own with Stiller and DeNiro. The future in-law family was incredibly funny, and Owen Michael as the rich ex-fiance was a gem.

The running gag on Ben Stiller's last name (Focker) never got old, and managed to generate laughs by itself. The cat storyline was cute. The DVD has some great extra features which add a half star to my rating.

All in all, it is a fun couple hours where you suspend belief and have some laughs. It is what it is. Enjoy!

`Meet the Parents' is one of those classic comedies you can't help but love. Ben Stiller proved he's comic genius, Teri Polo burst onto the scene and Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner stole the entire show. I just have to say I'm so glad my father-in-law isn't THIS insane.

Ben Stiller plays Greg Focker, a male nurse who's about to pop the question to girlfriend Pam (Polo) but before he can get it out she gets word that her sister is engaged. What makes this a bad thing is that Greg then finds out how old fashioned Pam's father is and realizes before he can propose he needs to ask her fathers permission. Her father Jack (De Niro) is not just an intimidating man, he's an ex-member of the CIA who is bent on exposing Greg for the sap he's certain he must be.

With Greg trying too hard to impress everyone he ends up making things much worse for himself, lying to make himself look better, losing Jack's precious cat Jinxie, flooding the backyard with sewage and quite a few other embarrassing and damaging things. What makes this film so delightful is the chemistry between every actor here; no one seems miscast despite what you may think.

De Niro is fantastic here proving once and for all that he's one of our greatest actors, and Blythe Danner is just hilarious as Pam's mother Dina. Great supporting performances by Owen Wilson (proving yet again that paired with Stiller they are dynamic) and James Rebhorn who's hilarious as Dr. Larry Banks. Just pop this one in, sit back and get ready to laugh, laugh and laugh some more.

My parents decided to watch this movie on demand and i joined them (im 13) anyway, it started out good with the guy asking the girl to marry and he finds out that the girls father always has to meet the boy friend bc that is how he aproved her sisters marrige and all that jazz. wait they get to their house it gets FUNNY! the guy is a nurse and so the father makes fun of him. it turns out that the father is a secret csi dude and on this 'top secret junk' the father and the guy DONT get along and the father thinks that the guy is "drunken dude and not good enough for his daughter" there is a lot of plots of this movie but the best one is about the father and guy trying to become 'family' very funny to see and u will LOVE it!

of u enjoyed this movie than i recommand:
-hide and seek
-meet the fockers
-guess who

from: moviegirl

I first saw this movie in the theater at a "sneak preview." I couldn't stop laughing. I knew Ben Stiller was funny-but Robert De Niro? I couldn't believe it.
The story has been told before in romantic comedy: a hapless groom, a male nurse, wants to propose to his girlfriend. They travel together to her WASP family's home (Blythe Danner is the Mom, thus the Wasp overtones) in Long Island for her sister's wedding. De Niro plays the father of the family, a retired "flower importer" (he actually is something else, but I won't ruin the surprise), who delights in poking small and large fun at his bumbling prospective son-in-law.
The movie follows Stiller and the family throughout the weekend and the very funny happenings and mishaps. Owen Wilson steals the movie as the former boyfriend.
I would recommend this movie to those who enjoy broad comedies. If you want to see a different side to De Niro, this movie offers it. I wouldn't recommend this movie to those who need subtlety and nuance in their comedies-you won't get it here.
I enjoyed the voice over commentary on the DVD (De Niro, Stiller, the director, and one other production person). De Niro offered some insights into how he came up with various facial expressions and improvised some lines. At times however, four people may have been too much as sometimes everyone became silent.
But overall, a great, funny experience-