Based on the 1951 sequel Father's Little Dividend, Father of the Bride Part II reunites the entire principal cast for another life/family milestone. Two, in fact.

First, Annie and Bryan call their families together to share some big news: they're having a baby. True to form, George isn't thrilled with the announcement. He's reluctant to become a grandfather, I guess, although there isn't the strongest of reasoning there.

Uncharacteristically, George decides the family should sell their leaky old house and buy a condo on the beach. After several months go by without a nibble, George suddenly gets a hasty offer from Turkish businessman Mr. Habib (Eugene Levy, playing a different, more substantial, and more offensive role than his brief appearance in the predecessor). Given a $15,000 bonus, the Banks have ten days to move out.

Meanwhile, George accompanies Nina to her OB/GYN, where they discover -- shock! -- she too is pregnant. Like daughter, like mother. George and Nina think it's pretty crazy to be scheduled to reenter parenthood just a few weeks after entering grandparenthood. They bicker over the situation, but make peace shortly after George saves the family home from the shrewd Habib's wrecking ball.

The film's final half-hour goes to that improbable yet inevitable scenario: both Annie and Nina go into labor on the same night. It happens to be a night when George has taken two potent sleeping pills given to him by Franck. Martin Short's popular wacky supporting character has been elevated in prominence this time around, getting hired not only to plan what will be a double baby shower but also to oversee the construction of a nursery for the Banks' unplanned baby.

Part II makes a clear effort to find its forebear's balance of humor and heart, hitting on many of the same beats. It skews even further to comedy than drama with the latter not having as sturdy a foundation. It's not as good as the predecessor, but it's not too far from it, ending up in the same pleasing league as it and other mid-level Steve Martin films.

Martin's Father of the Bride grossed $89 million domestically, which made it ninth among 1991 releases. Four years later, this sequel found just a little less profitability, earning $76.6 million, which was good enough for 17th place out of 1995's more numerous and appealing offerings.

Blu-ray & DVD Details 1.85:1 Widescreen (Original Movie's DVD Anamorphic) Blu-ray: 5.1 DTS-HD MA (English), Dolby Digital 5.1 (French); Part II only: Dolby Surround 2.0 (Spanish); BD Subtitles: English SDH; Original only: French, Spanish; DVD: Original: Dolby Digital 5.1 (English, French); Part II: Dolby Digital 5.0 (English, French); DVD Subtitles: English for Hearing Impaired; Part II only: Spanish Blu-ray Extras Subtitled; DVD and Extras Closed Captioned Release Date: May 15, 2012 / Suggested Retail Price: $29.99 Three single-sided, dual-layered discs (1 BD-50 & 2 DVD-9s); Blue Keepcase Still available as Double Feature 2-DVD Set ($15.99 SRP; May 11, 2010), Father of the Bride: 15th Anniversary Special Edition DVD ($14.99 SRP; June 7, 2005); and Father of the Bride Part II DVD ($14.99 SRP; May 9, 2000) Original previously released as DVD (April 20, 1999)

VIDEO and AUDIO

The Blu-ray boasts terrific picture quality. You don't expect the '90s Father of the Bride movies to look great, but they do, especially the original. Its 1.85:1 element is clean and sharp, offering an appropriate amount of light film grain, good detail, and warm colors. Part II's is fairly solid too. It seems a little bit on the dark side and its grain is a little more noticeable and bothersome, but on the whole, the results are still quite pleasing.

Both films have their soundtracks satisfactorily presented in 5.1 DTS-HD master audio. These are not sound-driven movies, but the dialogue, minimal ambience, and Steve Tyrell music hold some weight, are pleasing to the ear, and remain crisp and intelligible throughout, although you may have to turn up the volume in quieter moments. Strangely, Part II loses the Spanish subtitles from its DVD, unfortunate for the few viewers that should concern.

The DVDs are the same as those sold separately and bundled together. The original movie hails from 2005 (Disney's math was off then to, for its premature 15th Anniversary Special Edition) and is anamorphic and respectable (but a far cry from 1080p). Part II is from all the way back in 2000 and thus isn't even enhanced for 16:9 displays or anywhere near as stellar as a five-year-old movie would look on DVD these days.

BONUS FEATURES, MENUS, PACKAGING and DESIGN

No new bonus features are offered here and the Blu-ray inexplicably leaves Part II's extras exclusive to its DVD. Three supplements for the original movie do make it to the double feature platter.

First and most substantial is an audio commentary recorded for the 2005 DVD reissue by co-writer, producer, and director Charles Shyer, which shows up not with the other bonus features but when you select "Play." Surprisingly, he is not all that big on the 1950 movie, saying it doesn't hold up well and discussing how he set out to make this version his own. He recalls production experiences in great detail, from shooting 35 takes of the opening scene to needing to dry off Steve Martin's shirt after Kimberly Williams cried so much on it. Other topics include his and ex-wife Meyers' comedy brand (steeped in realism), the production's Norman Rockwell aspirations, his children's appearances in the movie, insisting that the father/daughter basketball scenes not be faked, praise for all the cast members, and his technical regrets (the biggest being an insert shot of Bryan's Nikes) and observations. Shyer talks all the way through and enthusiastically, making this track more enjoyable than most.

The other two bonuses are videos, both from 1991 and appearing in 1.33:1 standard definition. "An Invitation to Father of the Bride" (10:36) serves up an ordinary supply of movie clips, behind-the-scenes footage, and cast/crew remarks. It is a standard but fun promotional featurette.

"Martin & Short Interview Each Other" (5:14) pulls from the same session as the aforementioned, as Steve Martin and Martin Short bounce off one another with sarcasm and barbs.

The original movie's DVD offers the same three extras. Like before, it drops the one bonus feature from the film's initial 1999 DVD: the original theatrical trailer. Seems like that would have been worth including on the Blu-ray, but no dice.

On its DVD, Part II is joined by its original theatrical trailer (2:35) and the short, routine promotional featurettes "Production Story" (4:20) and "Just Between Friends" (3:53). They add talking heads, B-roll, narration, and more playful Martin and Short banter to trailer clips. Despite what the packaging states, Part II does not include an audio commentary by Steve Martin and Martin Short. You'd think that someone would have noticed this glaring goof/false advertising twelve years later, but that is simply not the case.

The obvious question is why not place these Part II DVD extras on the Blu-ray as well, when space allowed and including them couldn't have required much more work than dragging and dropping files? What Blu-ray owner is going to want to insert the DVD to watch a trailer or promotional short?

The Blu-ray opens with an HD trailer for The Odd Life of Timothy Green and an anti-tobacco truth spot. Being a Buena Vista BD, it neither supports bookmarks nor resumes playback. Furthermore, the disc even fails to uphold the studio's usual practice of remembering where you left off in the movie if you couldn't finish in one sitting.

Dated trailers launch the DVDs, with a Herbie: Fully Loaded sizzle reel, The Pacifier trailer, and "Home Improvement": The Complete Second Season DVD ad accompanying the original movie and a Happy, Texas preview preceding Part II.

The Blu-ray's simple menu displays the centerpiece of the two movies' poster art while score plays and listings are given wedding invitation-type borders. The original's DVD plays clips in a horizontal photo frame. Part II's old DVD features static, silent CD-ROM-ish 4:3 selection screens.

The three discs are held in a standard Blu-ray case with a swinging tray and nary an insert nor slipcover.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Sure, the 1990s Father of the Bride may be sentimental, now dated, and never especially funny, but it remains sweet, thoughtful, and appealing as well. Though relying on a less believable premise, the sequel avoids getting too ridiculous or straying far from the original's palette. Both qualify as a pleasant use of your time without demanding slots on your all-time favorites list.

This 2-Movie Collection Blu-ray treats each installment to a satisfying hi-def presentation. While it would seem to be in Disney's interest to simply include all the DVD bonus features on the Blu-ray, there's also something to be said for getting the DVDs included right there with the new Blu-ray and with no perceivable increase in the reasonable list price. Though the set seems destined to get a price cut in the not so distant future, even right now, it warrants a mild recommendation.