The In-Laws (2003)

I wasnt excepting a good movie after seeing it flop and the boxoffice and hearing the reviews that people saying about the movie. But I personally loved it. Its a cute little movie that deserves much more credit then it got. I recommend this movie to everyone. I give this 4/5 stars

Fmovies: I just loved this movie. It's better than I expected and funnier. Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks are so funny!!! The story is entertaining and easy to follow. The action scenes were very good too. This movie also has a great soundtrack, I especially loved the scene with 'No matter what' playing in the background, it was hilarious! Not to mention the Avril Lavigne song at the ending.

My only complaint is that they should have used Candice Bergen more. She was so great, but didn't appear enough.

There are absolutely no words to adequately describe just how truly awful this movie is. Being a huge fan of the 1979 original, starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin, curiousity got the better of me...

I guess curiosity really did kill the cat!

As hilarious and genuinely funny as the original is - I still consider it to be among the funniest films I have EVER seen - this remake is the complete opposite. Whereas Peter Falk and Alan Arkin made a terrific onscreen team, Michael Douglas and Albert Brooks simply don't have it. There just isn't the same chemistry. One of the things that made me laugh so much at the original was Alan Arkin's straight-man performance vs. Peter Falk's "is-he-or-isn't-he insane?" In this one, you'll find nothing of the sort. Albert Brooks (in the Alan Arkin role), whose character is now a podiatrist (as opposed to being a dentist in the original), just doesn't bring in the same laughs...you won't see him running down the street screaming "There's no need to shoot, I'm a podiatrist!" or anything like that. And worse, Michael Douglas (in the Peter Falk role), the secret agent father in law to be who hasn't yet met the in-laws, has a pointless sidekick, played by Robin Tunney, something that I felt weakened Douglas' character...as if the already inept script didn't already do a fine job of that!

Worst of all was David Suchet's French arms dealer who suddenly develops a crush on Brooks' character, was nowhere nearly as entertaining as Richard Libertini's performance in the original...hell, even Senor Pepe had more comedic charisma than Suchet in this one, and Senor Pepe was a friggin' HAND PUPPET, for crying out loud!!!

All in all, this has to be one of the worst movies I have ever paid good money to see (thank God I only paid $5!). If you haven't seen the original, rent it and save yourself the anguish of sitting through this mindless claptrap of a movie. If you HAVE seen the original, and were contemplating a trip to the cinema to check this one out, I have one word for you: SERPENTINE!!!

The In-Laws fmovies. The In-Laws is a sharp, genuine comedy from director Andrew Fleming. The plot is good, but sometimes, it can feel predictable and completely out of whack, but sometimes it's good to have that in a film. Albert Brooks and Michael Douglas are given the most screen time with what I thought were genuinely funny and deeper characters than they appear, at times though, the Michael Douglas character is predictable with his inner self, but saves it with another great performance. Albert Brooks is funny in this role, in a way, he carries the light spots of this movie on his back due to sharp one liners, which I believe he may have improvised. But the really snores in this film come from the sub plot, a wedding for Douglas' son played by Ryan Reynolds and Brooks' daughter played by Lindsay Sloane. The problem with the sub plot, is it is just not funny or sharp enough, Ryan Reynolds was a complete miss-cast in this role, he just isn't funny. During this subplot, we see Candice Bergen slip into the picture in one of those one liner funny roles that she does so well. Overall, if not with casting of Ryan Reynolds, maybe neglecting the sub plot, with more heavy detail on the comedic action, The In-Laws would be a fantastic comedy, but what is done is done, and you are left wondering what could have been.

Steven Tobias (Two Time Oscar-Winner:Michael Douglas) is a CIA Operative, who's pretends to be an international armed dealers to the European Bad Guys. But he has a tough week, when his only son (Ryan Reynolds) is getting married in a couple of days to his sweet girlfriend (Lindsay Sloane). But he hasn't meet his son's girlfriend or her father Jerry Peyser (Albert Brooks) and his wife Katherine (Maria Ricossa). Now Steven has to make up for lost time for his son and his new family in-laws. But the problem is that Steven is still working undercover, when he takes them to a Chinese Restaurant. When Jerry goes to the bathroom, he overhears Steven talking to a informer (Tamara Gorski) and seeing Steven fighting with a guy, who has a gun. Now Jerry finds himself in hot water, when Steven is forced to protect Jerry from the bad guys and especially the FBI. Which the FBI Agents (Lead by A. Russelll Andrews) thinks Tobias is a rogue agent. Now Jerry has to play along with Steven. Steven wants Jerry to pretend to be an assassin as "The Fat Cobra" to impress a french terrorist (David Suchet). But this french bad-guy has a secret about his sexuality and he tries to put the moves on Jerry! Now Steven and Jerry are forced to get along as the wedding is coming soon. Which they have to accept each other differences for their kids and being future in-laws as well.

Directed by Andrew Fleming (The Craft, Dick, Nancy Drew) made an amusing comedy that has plenty of laughs and an heart as well. This is a remake of the well-remember 1979 film, a movie that i haven't seen yet. Douglas and Brooks are excellent in this movie, which sadly it was an Box Office disappointment. When it was release in the spring of 2003. Which it's too bad, because this movie is certainly more enjoyable than the average Hollywood comedy. The cast seems to be having a great time including Robin Tunney and Candice Bergen, who have their own funny moments as well. But it's Suchet is the biggest scene stealer in the movie, along with Douglas and Brooks. Suchet is the funniest character in the picture in his memorable supporting role. The soundtrack is good as well. If you are a fan of Fleming's work or especially that cast, don't miss it. Watch for some amusing cameos as well. Screenplay by Nat Mauldin (Downtown, Dr. Dolittle, Open Season) and Ed Solomon (Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure, Men in Black, Super Mario Bros). Based on a screenplay by Andrew Bergman (Blazing Saddles, Fletch, Striptease). (****/*****).

A remake of the original 1979 cult classic, 'The In-Laws' is A Decent Entertainer, that doesn't bore. Sure, it's not all-out funny & gripping, but it arrests your attention & provides fair entertainment nevertheless.

'The In-Laws' Synopsis: Right before his daughter's wedding, a mild-mannered foot doctor discovers that his new in-laws are international smugglers.

'The In-Laws' has its moments for sure. In the first-hour, especially, there are some really nice sequences. The second-hour, does lose pace, but it doesn't drag, thankfully. The Screenplay is fast-paced, but it could've been tighter in the second-hour. Andrew Fleming's Direction is fair. Cinematography & Editing are functional.

Performance-Wise: Michael Douglas & Albert Brooks deliver superbly. Both of the veteran actors, also share a striking on-screen chemistry from start to end. Ryan Reynolds is passable. Lindsay Sloane is good. Robin Tunney does fairly well. Maria Ricossa & Candice Bergen support well.

On the whole, 'The In-Laws' is a decent watch.