fockers albaThe Ben Stiller/Robert De Niro comedy series which began with Meet the Parents and continued with Meet the Fockers is back with the third film in the series, Little Fockers, and while the dubious title may not raise much of a smile the Jay Roach films were far better and far funnier than we had any right to expect.

The original film was an excellent example of a moderate script raised to hilarious heights by a stellar cast. Stiller plays his regular Ben Stiller character, graciously allowing the parents, played by Blythe Danner and a psychotic and brilliant De Niro, to go crazy with their characters. The result was amplified by the addition of the Fockers, the titular parents of the second film played by Dustin Hoffman and Barbara Streisand.

With the third film under starter’s orders we’ve learned from Empire today that Jessica Alba has signed on to play a part of a pharmaceutical rep. I’m sure she’ll add something to the third film which will deal with birth of a baby and the ensuing familial chaos. Fingers crossed for this one.