Monster-in-Law (2005)

This movie surprised me, because Jennifer Lopez is known for having a bad track record with the romantic comedies she leads -- even though they do well at the box office, they never have any really good laughs to them. Monster-in-Law is side-splitting and FANTASTIC fun. Ms. Lopez delivers a wonderful performance as Charlie, and Jane Fonda is also excellent in her return to films after a 15-year absence. Wanda Sykes (who is virtually unknown in the cinema world and is actually a very funny comedienne) rounds out this powerhouse trio of women who entertain us scene after scene with their antics.

Just a few weeks ago, I saw Fever Pitch, also a romantic comedy, and even though it was charming and the critics adored it, the audience in the theater I was in only truly belted out laughing once or twice, but for the sneak preview of Monster-in-Law (which was jam-packed when I attended), the theater was in STITCHES from start to finish.

There's also a cameo by the amazing Elaine Stritch near the end.

Congratulations to Jennifer, she's finally got a romantic comedy under her belt that she can boast about.

Fmovies: I can't believe the 12 1's I saw when I went to rate this. Those people must not have seen the movie and just like to go around and give 1's to any movie.

I saw this movie on Sunday, and it was fully packed. The audience was laughing through 90% of the movie. Virtually all the jokes got a medium to large laugh from the audience. The story had some nice twists, Jenny finally turns in some good acting, and she looks even more beautiful then before! I was there to analyze audience response and I can tell you this is not a 1 rating movie, this is at least an 8. Do not go by the rating here, it's misleading; weighed down by idiots.

You must see this movie if you want some good laughs!

MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS

Okay, so right off the bat I have to say that Monster In Law is bad. It's really dumb, cliché ridden, and common. It's not Showgirls bad but it is mediocre and I think I've had quite enough of mediocrity. I know many of you out there might be saying: "well what do you expect, Citizen Kane". Well, yes I do. At least the "Citizen Kane" of modern romantic comedies. Hell, I'll take an attempt at something unique or original; but to be honest I'm sick of settling and forgiving these films for their lack of creativity just because these movies are charming.

Set in the near future a space alien steals the DNA ofÂ…just kidding. Monster in Law is the story of the nicest girl ON THE PLANET (Jennifer Lopez) who meets the perfect man (Michael Vartan). When I say perfect I mean the dude is perfect; he's a surgeon, you see, and every time someone on his operating table dies he yells: "ItÂ…justÂ… doesn'tÂ… getÂ… any easier!!!" No, I'm kidding again. He is a surgeon, yes, but he's perfect so no one dies. Anyway, nicest girl, perfect man want to get married. Enter perfect man's mom (Jane Fonda). JaFo doesn't want MiVa to marry J.Lo. I wasn't quite sure of the reason why. I think it had to do with some sort socialite caste system. See, Jenny From The Block is merely a temp/dog walker and Hanoi Jane is a rich T.V, talk personality who drops names like a seagull at a statue. So obviously Lopez isn't good enough for VaughnÂ…I mean Vartan.

Over the course of the movies 90 minute running time you will be subjected to the following: Conspiracies to derail the wedding. The Clinging Mother who feigns anxiety attacks. The "Dogs attacking Prada/Gucci/Fendi" gag. The sleeping pill resulting in the face- in-the-worlds-worst-food/dish joke. And, if orange is the new black; allergy flare-ups in romantic comedies must be the new fart joke. Oh, and just when you think they couldn't possibly go there, the words: "You win, the wedding's off" actually are spoken thus giving us all the required rom-com conflict clichés.

There is something that I must concede. Wanda Sykes not only steals this movie from its two stars but she is so good that I would pay money to see her do it again (rental people rental). She is hilarious as Fonda's caustic quick-witted assistant. Sykes has made a career out of playing the sidekick and all her training has paid of beautifully. No one could've delivered the line: "I think I dislocated my vagina" as well as Sykes. She is the reason you won't ask for your money back at the end of Monster In Law.

Sykes aside Monster in Law has remained faithful to the unoriginal formula Hollywood has been recently churning out. I, for one am done forgiving talented people for being just good enough. You hear me Keanu! You make too much God Damned money to suck as often as you do. The same goes for Fonda and Lopez. Vartan gets a pass cause he's new.

Monster-in-Law fmovies. While I was entering the theater yesterday for this special Preview of "Monster In Law", I noticed that about 90% of the attendees were female. So I thought to myself, "Jennifer Lopez, Jane Fonda and Wanda Sykes? I am not sure how entertaining this is going to be. With some of Lopez's most recent films, there had been no entertainment at all. And Fonda, when was the last time we saw her in a movie?"

The movie was entertaining and hilarious at times. Fonda portrays her role perfectly and Lopez adds some shine to the movie. Wanda Sykes provides comic relief as was excellent.

It would be a good movie to go see with all your girlfriends or for you to take a date to.

I saw Monster-in-law at a special screening in Albuquerque. While I was expecting an overdone, overplayed comedy that tries too hard to be funny and romantic at the same time, I was totally shocked to find a "Meet the Parents" kind of movie. There's a lot of play between Jane Fonda and Jennifer Lopez as they battle it out to try to win the affection of the same man (Lopez's fiancée and Fonda's son). It is one slapstick scene after another with both trying to ruin the others pride. It just goes to show the extent women will go, short of an all-out fistfight, to get what they want. The movie is short on man-to-woman romance, but there's a great ending between Lopez and her fiancée and of course Lopez and the mother. A must-see you won't be disappointed with.

What a surprisingly funny movie! I took my mother to the sneak preview of Monster-in-Law on Mother's Day and we had a great time. At first, I thought this film would be average and predictable. But Jane Fonda's performance changed my mind. I'm glad that she decided to make a comeback after 15 years. She did such a good job! I wouldn't be surprised if Ms. Fonda was nominated for at least a Golden Globe for her outstanding comedic performance. It was high time Jane Fonda returned to the big screen. Welcome back, Jane! Wanda Sykes was hysterical. Her one-liners were priceless! And Jennifer Lopez was actually really good too, as was Michael Vartan. I highly recommend seeing this movie.