Having given permission to male nurse Greg Focker to marry his daughter, ex-CIA man Jack Byrnes and his wife travel to Detroit to Greg's parents, who this time around are Mr. and Mrs. Focker, who are as different from them as can be. As asked in the first movie, what sort of people name their son Gay M. Focker? [TRAILER]

STEVEN SNYDER'S REVIEW

What is one to say about this trivial little affair?

In place of “Meet The Parents,” which watched Greg (Ben Stiller) make an ass of himself time and time again with his in-laws-to-be, Jack (Robert De Niro) and Pam (Teri Polo) Byrnes, “Fockers” watches as Greg’s parents, Bernie (Dustin Hoffman) and Roz (Barbra Streisand) Focker make asses of themselves in front of the same sneering, cynical parents of the bride.

There’s really no story to speak of here, just a series of comedic missteps and mishaps that force Greg to grimace, apologize and slip up again. Adding to the comedy of errors is also a Byrnes baby, that Jack is teaching sign language, and the battle that erupts between the Byrnes’ cat and the Focker’s dog.

But let’s be honest, shall we: We ain’t going into “Fockers” looking for drama and intrigue. In fact, most people aren’t going in to “Fockers” to even think. And I would count myself among those who are in the mood for a stupid, silly little comedy this time of year.

On that level, it kind of works.

Much like “Ocean’s Twelve,” this is an ensemble spectacle, and many will want to fork down the price of admission simply for the chance to see De Niro, Hoffman, Streisand and Stiller all on screen together at the same time.

And when they are all on screen, the chemistry is enjoyable. De Niro once again plays the ex-CIA hard ass as a parody of his former, and much better, movie roles. Polo is his giving wife, who just wants to make the peace. Streisand is the sex therapist who talks about it every chance she gets. And Hoffman is the stay-at-home dad who is endlessly devoted to Greg, serving as the warm, romantic and embracing counterpoint to De Niro’s hostile sterility.

Is there much else going on here? No. I thought “Parents” became repetitive, and as this meeting of the families progresses, the same thing can be said. Thanks to these performers, however, we do leave giggling about the eccentricities of these characters and with fond memories of a game of touch football and a swearing baby.

In short, gauge your interest by how you liked “Parents” and you won’t be disappointed. And thankfully, if your parents or significant other want to drag you to a movie this holiday weekend, you have a mindless, passable alternative to “Phantom of the Opera.”

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