Common Sense Media Review
By Renee Schonfeld
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Lightweight family film is funny, but predictable.
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Father of the Bride Part II
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 1 parent review
What's the Story?
George Banks (Steve Martin) has barely gotten used to the idea that his oldest child is all grown up and married, when suddenly he has to face the prospect of becoming a grandfather. Just when he starts getting to used to that notion, his world is turned topsy-turvy when he learns that he's going to be a father again himself! Complicating everything is the fact that he's just sold the family house without even consulting his wife, Nina (Diane Keaton) and the rest of the Banks clan. This sequel to Father of the Bride follows the Banks family along the classic sitcom path of miscommunication and growing pains bested by resourcefulness, warm humor, and the expected sweet resolution.
Is It Any Good?
This sequel a simple, highly improbable story with absolutely no surprises. The writer-director-producing team capitalized once again on a very successful franchise that began in 1950 with the original Father of the Bride, starring Spencer Tracy and Elizabeth Taylor. This one is short on originality, but long on pratfalls and farce -- but what makes FATHER OF THE BRIDE PART II enjoyable are the antics and ultimate lovability of Steve Martin, as well as Martin Short as the androgynous Franck Engelhoffer, jack-of-all-feminine-trades who's along for a very predictable ride.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the filmmakers show George Banks' difficulty in accepting the fact that he's getting older. Were those scenes funny? Did they help you understand him? How does the Banks family adjust to the sudden, unexpected news of middle-aged mom's pregnancy at the same time her daughter is expecting? In what ways do the characters and situations seem real? Not real? Were the filmmakers making fun of the man who bought the Banks house? What is the difference between finding the humor in our cultural differences and mocking those cultures?
Movie Details
- In theaters: December 8, 1995
- On DVD or streaming: May 9, 2000
- Cast: Diane Keaton , Martin Short , Steve Martin
- Director: Charles Shyer
- Inclusion Information: Female actors
- Studio: Touchstone Pictures
- Genre: Comedy
- Run time: 106 minutes
- MPAA rating: PG
- MPAA explanation: some mild language and thematic elements
- Last updated: January 28, 2024
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