To carefree young whippersnappers, the horrifying concept of in-laws can merely be hinted at. Reality is quite different.

Those who have made the leap into matrimony can attest that the newly acquired family may assume the characteristics of Hitler and Stalin's general staff combined.

Director Andrew Fleming uses a twenty-odd year-old template starring Peter Falk and Alan Arkin as the basis for his family-based comedy...but for once it's a remake worth the effort.

Douglas plays a creaking undercover CIA agent (think Roger Moore in his latterday Bond years) while Brooks is an anally retentive foot doctor (aren't they all?).

Steve Tobias (Douglas) is the father of bridegroom Mark (Reynolds) while Dr Jerry Peyser (Brooks) hopes for a traditional no-hitches ceremony for this daughter.

Of course, there are going to be plenty of hitches while globetrotting trouble-killer Tobias is trying to shoehorn the nuptials into his busy schedule.

Peyser unwittingly finds himself embroiled in Tobias' latest escapade, including an under-the-radar flight to France and life beyond the world of bunions.

This is one of those sort of films where you find yourself laughing when you really know you shouldn't. It's not Woody Allen...but neither is it the Farrelly Brothers.

There's some decent dialogue: "Dad wouldn't buy a Russian submarine - he wouldn't buy a foreign car."

And there's a scene-stealing performance from David Suchet as a camp French arms dealer, who tempts a thong-clad Brooks into his hot-tub.

Douglas and Brooks are ably supported by Reynolds, star of the underrated Van Wilder: Party Liason, and a waspish near cameo from Candice Bergen.

And can you really find it in your heart to diss a film featuring KC and KC of the Sunshine Band fame belting out Get Down Tonight? Thought not.

Tim Evans