Rating: 
Summary: Douglas & Brooks Make This Remake a Gem!
Review: I know this film received awful reviews. And, I don't understand why. This was an absolutely fantastic remake! In some ways better than the original. Of course, the original, with Falk and Arkin, is a great work. However, this version, is updated, clever, funny, and with unexpected performances by Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks. I had to go rent the original to remind me how good I remembered it and also to see why so many reviewers were trashing this remake. However, seeing the original only told me one thing. Both movies are great! Go see this fabulous remake!
Rating:
Summary: Never saw the original, so I thought this was really cute!
Review: I never saw the original version of "The In-Laws" (in fact, I didn't know there was one), so my review is not based on having such expectations as previous reviewers shared. I thought the movie was very amusing - good plot, funny, quality acting, and one particularly hot actor :o) - and worth seeing (maybe twice, second time at home). If you never saw the original "In-Laws", then don't base whether or not you see this on the other reviews. I don't know how this compares to the original, but looking at just this version, it's a really cute movie!
Rating: 
Summary: I ALMOST FELL ASLEEP THIS IS SO BORING
Review: I rented this movie cause I like Ryan Reynolds-but he only had a few minutes of screen time of course and well-I almost fell asleep this is so boring!It wasent even funny-just boring! If you want to watch a good comedy-watch Meet The Parents or something-at least thats funny and isnt boring! Or if you want to fall asleep watching a movie-rent this one!
Rating: 
Summary: Average action/comedy film
Review: I saw this film having been unaware it was a remake prior to seeing the DVD. The premise seems amusing but as the movie proceeds the the characters' actions and reactions just don't make much sense. Fortunately, Michael Douglas carries his role well and Albert Brooks adeptly plays the role of the in-law caught up in dangerous drama he can't comprehend. The absurdity of how the plot proceeds is the source of comedy in this film, while the idea of the FBI chasing a potentially rogue deep-cover CIA agent isn't actually that strange - frankly I find the agencies themselves to be rogue operations relevant to the interests of common citizens. Getting back to the story, the spy's son and the doctor's daughter are due to be married and the Douglas character is juggling the wedding preparations with his latest spy operation. Now that Brooks' character is about to become "family" the spy decides to involve him in company business. This can appear funny or unsettling, depending upon how one identifies with the characters. It is almost in the vein of "Meet The Parents" in some ways, but the laughs are fewer and less effective here. This film has its moments but is generally just an average quality comedy and not the best vehicle for these actors.
Rating: 
Summary: Rolicking slapstick fun
Review: I totally disagree with the naysayers about this movie. It's fun, fast paced and funny overall. It's not Oscar material, but at least it's entertaining. A break from the slasher/techo computer generated/killer with attitude flicks. People lighten up...it's all in jest. Rent it for light hearted comedy with a good sound track and some surprises along the way!
Rating:
Summary: Makes me Laugh Out Loud!
Review: I watch it all the time, it makes me Laugh out Loud! And Melissa and Angela are babes!
Rating:
Summary: What?! No serpentine?!!!
Review: In spite of the fact that this remake did not include the famous "serpentine" scene from the original movie, we loved it! We caught it on opening night when there was only one showing and we didn't even know what we were going to see! We were pleasantly surprised when we realized this was a remake of "The In-laws". We enjoyed the cast and thought the casting of Candace Bergen as mom in this dysFUNctional family was especially funny.
Rating: 
Summary: Let's force Hollywood to come up with some new ideas
Review: Is Hollywood really that bereft of ideas that they need to tamper with and besmirch the memory of the most perfect comedy ever made? Do yourself a favor: save yourself and your moviegoing companion {money}by ignoring this film. Run - do not walk - down to your local video store and rent the original starring Alan Arkin and Peter Falk. Right now. Dianne Crittenden, who did the casting for the 1979 original, deserves a lifetime achievement award for pairing up Arkin and Falk. [Remember, Falk was one of the biggest stars on TV at the time as Detective Columbo. Who knew he'd be such a master at comic timing and deadpan delivery?] This isn't a swipe at Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas, but they had to know that by accepting these roles, they would be held to an unattainable standard. Let's force Hollywood to come up with some new ideas instead of destroying old ones within our lifetime.
Rating:
Summary: definetly funnier than meet the parents
Review: it doesn't matter that Michael Douglass is miscast and that Albert Brooks has a very dark sense of humor. The movie is very funny and deserved better ratings by the critics. I do think however that they could've hired better actors to play the fathers. ever hear of Christopher Walken , and Henry Winkler Mr. Fleming.
Rating:
Summary: Mildly Entertaining Comedy Featuring Great Albert Brooks
Review: It's a pity that Albert Brooks doesn't do many films -- when he does, he is always worth the time and money you spend, even in deeply flawed 'Muse.' Now, another one comes starring Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks, a buddy-buddy comedy loosely based on the 1979 film of the same title featuring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin. Remake? Not exactly.
Main character is Michael Douglas's CIA undercover agent, whose son is going to marry the daughter of Albert Brooks, who plays a nervous foot-doctor. As you know, the latter doesn't know the identity of Douglas, who, to him, looks at first acting very strange. Normally your father of the bride wouldn't like to see the daddy of your son-in-law talking about a certain 'Olga' (actually, a nuke submarine), and kicking a stranger in the men's room.
The poorly written script goes on, including the French villain played by David Suchet, before whom Albert Brooks, now in the secret of Douglas's real job, has to act like a real killer (named 'Cobra'). There is a story about arms dealers, bumbling FBI men, or the sub I mentioned, but sorry, they are all forgettable.
But the comic pair of Douglas and Brooks work up to a point, and there are funny scenes surrounding Brooks and Suchet, even though it's just another gay joke (which is done well in itself). When Brooks is on the screen, you can say that he gives every scene a great comic touch, with perfect comic timing. Douglas, more serious and straight than him, is not bad as a foil, though I suspect someone else could be a better choice.
The director is Andrew Fleming ('Dick'), who certaily has great ideas but somehow stops exploring them furthrr. The supports are therefore underdeveloped, Candice Bergen as ex-wife of Douglas character, in particular. Her turn as a comic (with sexual nature that makes you giggle) is surprisingly good, but she is given too short time to impress us, so is Robin Tunney or Lindsay Sloane.
So should we see it? It depends; there are good things, to be sure, but slick as it is, this new one is too tame and too normal.
|
