The second outing feels much `cheaper'...Reviewed by Andrew Ellington, 2009-10-20
My wife and I actually enjoyed the first `Cheaper' outing, so we
were kind of excited about this one. I mean, Eugene Levy is
hysterical (we love him) and the idea of him sparing with comedic
legend Steve Martin was just too much not to anticipate.
This film is a horrible mess.
I don't know why I felt the need to build up to that, I mean, this
film really deserves to apologies or excuses or really anything
other than a complete panning, but for some reason I feel compelled
to give it two stars (that's still a D). As horrible as this movie
is, and as generic and tasteless and clichéd and predictable and
nauseatingly syrupy preachy (call Ron Howard, Shankman is
encroaching on his heavy handed territory) it is, `Cheaper by the
Dozen 2' has a thin (very thin) layer of heartwarming enjoyment.
So, while I didn't like it, I didn't hate it.
Thank you Levy for remaining funny when Martin wasn't, and thank
you little Alyson Stoner for giving this ridiculously unbelievable
film a layer of genuine youthful honesty.
This film follows the Baker clan as they embark on a vacation back
to their old stomping grounds in order to reestablish family unity.
The oldest Baker girls are moving away and Tom feels as though he's
losing his grip on his family. With everyone on board they all make
the trip, only to find that they are drifting further apart as
Tom's competitive spirit flies into overdrive when he's reunited
with childhood nemesis Jimmy Murtaugh.
The storyline is pretty simple, but its all the `finding yourself'
gushiness that really drags this film into `roll your eyes'
ridiculousness. When the eldest Baker boy and the eldest Murtaugh
daughter get together all sorts of stupid and unrealistic
`findings' take place. Whoever wrote this (you Sam Harper) was
really lazy, stuffing a bunch of supposed heartwarming sequences
into one poorly constructed package. I love you Shankman (mostly
because you amuse me on `So You Think You Can Dance') but this is a
horrifying cinematic mess if I ever saw one.
Steve Martin is awkward, Bonnie Hunt is barely there, Piper Perabo
is sadly underused (again!), Tom Welling is boring, Carmen Electra
is hot, Eugene Levy is funny (even if you want to punch him
throughout the whole movie), Jaime King is pretty yet dense, Hilary
Duff is hideous and talentless (way too thin physically and
emotionally)...but there is always Alyson Stoner, who carries this
movie on her inexperienced shoulders.
Walk away. I advise everyone to walk away. There is far better out
there. And to all those giving this five stars because it's `clean
family fun' I say "I'm happy for you" but really, there are much
better `clean' films out there, so why waste precious time with
this one?
Cheaper By The DozenReviewed by Stacy M. Briggs, 2009-05-26
My eight-year-old boy bought this movie and watches it everyday. It is funny and teaches a valuable lesson on the importance of family.
Better Than The OriginalReviewed by D. Dorsey, 2008-05-29
A touching, heartwarming movie about family bonding with good clean
comedy throughout.
The Baker's dozen are back with some interesting interaction with
another large family. Rilvary and some love connections are the
result.
My family and I enjoyed Cheaper by the Dozen but this sequel is
even more entertaining. Fun for the whole family.
Good family movie(DVD)Reviewed by Hee Chul Kwon, 2008-03-21
I bought part one a long time ago and now I just bought two.
I saw it in the theater and enjoyed it but didn't bought it for a
long time.
I just receieved and watched. It is not incredible but from time to
time, I think I will watch this film. Good as part one.
The picture quality is good.
Nice DVD.
cheaper by the dozen 2Reviewed by matt dasaro, 2007-10-27
i loved cheaper by the dozen 2 is a great family flick its better than the first 10/10
