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  Directed by
  Starring
  Specs
  • Widescreen 1.85:1
  • 16:9 Enhanced
  • Dual Layer (RSDL )
  Languages
  • English: Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround
  Subtitles
  • None
  Extras
  • Deleted scenes
  • Theatrical trailer
  • 2 Audio commentary - 1) Director Jay Roach and Editor John Poll. 2) Director Jay Roach, Producer Jane Rosenthal, Robert De Niro and Ben Stiller.
  • Behind the scenes footage
  • Booklet
  • Outtakes
Meet The Parents (Rental)
Dreamworks/Universal . R4 . COLOR . 103 mins . M15+ . PAL

  Feature
Contract

The idea of meeting the prospective in-laws is an adventure in itself for any male; that's why we call them Out-laws. Those entering into the European family can attest to many hurdles that they are faced with and have to overcome, not only during the initial meeting but every subsequent gathering of the 500+ uncles, aunties, cousins and family friends. It's an endless decathlon with no finish line in sight.

But what if the father of the bride is an ex CIA agent?

Meet Gaylord 'Greg' Focker (Ben Stiller), a male nurse about to propose to his girlfriend Pamela (Teri Polo). His proposal is cut short when her sister announces her own wedding plans and soon our love birds are off to meet Mummy and Daddy in the country. Here's where the fun begins.

Jack Byrnes (De Niro) enters stage left and from here we have a battle of wits between Greg and Jack so that Greg can stay within the 'circle of trust' and win the appreciation of Jack. A chain of events that pile one disaster on top of another is the end result and this comedy makes you cringe at just how unlucky Greg can be. it's everyones worst nightmare and to top it off with a name like Gay Fokker, you simply don't deserve any respect at all now, do you?

  Video
  Audio
  Extras
Contract

Given the youthful age of the movie, a pristine image from Dreamworks would have been expected yet this image seems to suffer from what we commonly know as "low budget effort" where the movie is filmed, edited and shipped. It's not an effects fest so a pristine transfer isn't necessary but there have been other films with a more mature age that look absolutely stunning.

Given that little introduction the image is clean, with a few minor film artifacts cropping up throughout the course of the movie. The hue/tint of the image seemed a little off, ever so slightly, which seemed to give the image an un-natural feel to flesh tones etc. Shadow detail was slightly lacking with the image overall seeming a little flat and lifeless.

The 5.1 channel audio is your standard fare for a comedy with the full sound stage only being used during the more dramatic moments and musical numbers. If the extras are what you feel may save the day then consider yourself short changed. Don't use this DVD to sell the format to your friends. No lie detector is going to reveal anything hidden in this assesment.


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  •   And I quote...
    "No lie detector is going to reveal anything hidden in this assessment."
    - Steve Koukoulas
      Review Equipment
    • DVD Player:
          Sony DAV-S300
    • TV:
          Hitachi CMT2979 68cm
    • Audio Cables:
          Standard Optical
    • Video Cables:
          standard s-video
      Recent Reviews:
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