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The newest “Meet the Parents” film “Little Fockers” opens on December 22nd, just in time for the holidays. Fans of the original franchise have been pretty vocal about their waning interest in more “Focker” movies, but that didn’t seem to deter Dreamworks from putting out a third installment 10 years after the original first debuted. Plagued with actor turmoil, Dustin Hoffman (Bernie Focker) did not want to return for “Little Fockers” due to an insufficient script and previous director Jay Roach’s firing, stalled production schedule, and the over saturation of gross-out comedies the franchise made famous, “Little Fockers” seemed doomed to fail from the get-go.

How could a movie concept audiences have seen dozens of times possibly reinvent itself and draw in old and new fans? Well, “Little Fockers” actually gets very close to doing it right.

Greg Focker (Ben Stiller) and his wife Pam (Teri Polo) have been very busy since the last time audiences saw them in 2004’s “Meet the Fockers.” They have a set of fraternal twins preparing to celebrate their 6th birthday, a recently purchased house under renovations, and Greg’s promotion to director of his hospital’s nursing staff happening simultaneously during a visit from Pam’s parents Jack and Dina Byrnes (Robert De Niro and Blythe Danner). Having just suffered a mild heart attack he wants to keep secret from Dina, Jack realizes he is indeed mortal and calls upon Greg to take the reins as head of the Byrnes family. Never minding the fact that he’s not a Byrnes, Greg agrees to become the Godfocker and learn the way of Jack.

While all this is going on, Greg finds himself facing more circle of trust challenges from Jack, a flirty pharmaceutical rep (Jessica Alba), and the return of Pam’s ex-boyfriend Kevin (Owen Wilson) who once again absent mindedly sticks his nose into Pam and Greg’s marriage. The formula is the same as the previous two movies, however the humor goes further than knocking over Jack’s dead mother’s ashes or watching elderly couples get freaky with the help of Greg’s sex therapist mother Roz (Barbra Streisand). In a particularly funny yet disturbing scene, Greg is asked to represent a new male enhancement drug recommended for heart patients. Jack has been suspicious of Greg’s relationship with Andi (Alba), finds Greg’s hidden stash for a doctor presentation, and takes it when Dina puts the moves on him. Of course, not reading the label Jack’s erection lasts longer than four hours and the audience is treated to a moment of Jack’s jack in all its pitched tent glory. Although dick jokes are always funny, seeing Academy Award winning De Niro with a fake stiffy bordered right on unnecessary. I guess with a new writer and director, they decided pushing the envelope meant humiliating a Hollywood icon.

“Little Fockers” isn’t going to win any awards this season, however even with its few misguided comedy decisions the movie is wholly enjoyable and entertaining. It stands on its own within the “Meet the Parents” franchise, and will reintroduce fans to the Focker and Brynes tribes.

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