Meet the Fockers Blu-ray Review

The Blu-ray transfer of "Meet the Fockers" utilizes a VC-1 encoded 1080p image in an aspect ratio of 1.85:1, yielding mixed results. The transfer's most commendable feature is its vibrant and gorgeously saturated colors. Hoffman’s bright red shirt and the lush Florida locales are especially noteworthy, with the kaleidoscope of party umbrellas during the closing wedding scene leaving a memorable visual impact. Additionally, skin tones appear realistic and warm, adding a natural aspect to the over-lit and somewhat plastic appearance typically associated with big-budget studio comedies. The image exhibits good fine detail, decent grain structure, a robust depth of field, and commendable contrast, creating a sharp and visually engaging presentation.

However, this disc is significantly marred by pervasive technical flaws. Edge enhancement is rampant, leading to ugly white halos around black lines, such as when Jack holds up the graphic signs for Little Jack’s benefit. The transfer suffers from noticeable shimmer, moiré, and aliasing, detracting considerably from the overall image quality. These flaws are not isolated incidents but are present throughout nearly every scene, particularly affecting elements like De Niro’s salt and pepper hair and Jack’s blue pinstriped sport coat. The issue might be attributed to squeezing the content onto a 25GB disc, although this is speculative.

Ultimately, while the colors and basic video fundamentals are strong, the numerous technical problems significantly detract from the viewing experience. With halos, edge enhancement, and aliasing being almost ubiquitous, potential viewers should approach this Blu-ray release with caution as the visual inconsistencies can be quite glaring and may outweigh the enhancements in color fidelity.

The DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 mix for "Meet the Fockers" provides a reliable and proficient auditory experience, maintaining the professional quality expected for a dialogue-driven comedy. Although the surround sound elements are limited—mostly highlighted by occasional environmental sounds like an RV roaring through or party noises—the clarity and fidelity during dialogue scenes are remarkable. The sound is anchored firmly in the front channels, ensuring crystal-clear and easily intelligible speech, crucial for the film's narrative structure.

While the audio mix isn't designed to be overwhelmingly immersive, it excels at what it aims to do. Surround sound flourishes do exist but are sporadic, such as the notable instance of RV toilet fluid splashing, which demonstrates effective use of the soundfield. These instances, while enhanced, are not ubiquitous throughout the mix, with most action situated front and center. Additional language options include French and Spanish DTS 5.1 mixes, along with subtitles in English SDH, French, and Spanish, catering to a broad audience.

Ultimately, the audio presentation fulfills its purpose without any technical issues, delivering clear and coherent dialogue paramount for this genre. The DTS track performs to an admirable standard, exhibiting reliability and competence without compromising on quality.

The Blu-Ray release of "Meet the Fockers" offers a range of special features that provide entertaining and informative insights into the making of the film. While all of the extras are presented in standard definition, they successfully enhance the viewer's understanding and appreciation of the movie. Notably, the Feature Commentary by director Jay Roach and editor/co-producer Jon Poll offers technical insights into the film’s casting and actor interactions, albeit lacking the liveliness of its predecessor. Other highlights include humorous bloopers featuring Robert De Niro and a variety of behind-the-scenes segments, ranging from a look at the iconic cat Jinx to interviews with the main cast.

Extras included in this disc:

• Feature Commentary: Insights from director Jay Roach and editor/co-producer Jon Poll.
• Deleted Scenes: Additional scenes featuring the principal cast.
• Bloopers: Humorous outtakes and flubbed lines.
• Inside the Litter Box: Behind the Scenes with Jinx the Cat: Companion piece on cat-wrangling.
• The Manary Gland: A feature on De Niro’s use of fake breasts.
• Fockers' Family Portrait: Cast discussions on their characters.
• The Adventures of a Baby Wrangler: A look at the twins playing Little Jack.
• Matt Lauer Meets the Fockers: An interview segment with the cast.

"Meet the Fockers," the sequel to the hit comedy "Meet the Parents," attempts to recreate the original film's charm by introducing Ben Stiller's Greg Focker and his future in-laws, played by Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner, to his own eccentric parents, portrayed by Dustin Hoffman and Barbra Streisand. While the casting of Streisand and Hoffman is a stroke of genius, bringing a refreshing energy to the film, the screenplay often flounders with overwrought and convoluted plotlines. The movie thrives when it focuses on the highly exaggerated cultural and personal differences between the in-laws, and benefits from memorable performances. However, much of the comedy veers into absurd territory, such as scenes involving truth serum injections and a cat flushing a dog down an RV toilet.

Among the redeeming qualities of "Meet the Fockers" are the performances of De Niro, Hoffman, and Streisand, who effectively play against their typical character types. De Niro's interactions with Little Jack, his grandson, provide some unexpectedly sweet moments, while Hoffman and Streisand exhibit a believable chemistry as free-spirited parents. Despite these strong performances, the film sometimes sidelines key characters like Danner and Teri Polo, both of whom deliver nuanced performances that deserve more spotlight. For instance, Danner conveys subtle emotional undertones amidst a generally over-the-top comedic landscape.

Ultimately, "Meet the Fockers" relies heavily on its stunt casting and outrageous scenarios, which may overshadow the genuine comedic potential that lies in the character interactions. While it provides enough comedic moments to entertain, it lacks the sharpness and coherence that made "Meet the Parents" enjoyable. As a result, this sequel feels more like a collection of loosely connected humorous scenes rather than a fully cohesive comedic narrative.

"Meet the Fockers" on Blu-ray is a mixed experience, largely dependent on one's expectations and the depth of their affection for the original film. While the star-studded cast, including Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, and Dustin Hoffman, are undoubtedly talented, they struggle to elevate a script that often feels tired and derivative. The film's comedy hinges heavily on cringe-inducing moments which can feel redundant and overly familiar. However, there are scattered instances of charm and humor that might appeal to dedicated fans of the franchise.

Technically, this Blu-ray release fails to impress. The video transfer suffers from several notable issues, including inconsistent clarity and occasional artifacting, which detract from the viewing experience. Although the audio mix is competent, it lacks any notable attributes to distinguish it from its DVD predecessor. Additionally, the special features included in this Blu-ray release are merely repackaged from the earlier DVD version, offering no new content for avid collectors or enthusiasts.

In conclusion, "Meet the Fockers" Blu-ray may not be worth the investment unless you are particularly fond of the film. The law of diminishing returns hasn't entirely overtaken this entry, as the talented cast delivers enough humorous moments to justify a viewing. However, given the Blu-ray's technical shortcomings and repetitive special features, it is advisable to rent before purchasing. Overall, while the film itself retains some charm, the Blu-ray release leaves much to be desired. Recommended with reservations.