Cheaper by the Dozen 2
by Nicky VanValkenburgh
Want a family film about kids pulling pranks and destroying property, while an insanely jealous Dad seeks revenge on a childhood rival? You’ll find that (and nothing more) in “Cheaper by the Dozen 2.” It’s a slapsticky sequel which attempts to get laughs and tug on heartstrings with sentimental messages about growing up, but fails at both.
The story begins withTom and Kate Baker (Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt) inviting theirtwelve kids to spend Labor Day at Lake Winnetka. Their vacation cabin turns out to be a dilapidated shack with a rat hiding in the wall. Living across the lake in a posh mansion is Tom’s old rival, Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy), his trophy wife Sarina (Carmen Electra), and their brood of eight kids. Jimmy is filthy rich, owns all the property around the lake, and brags about everything. He may be a show-off, but does that justify putting hamburger meat in his seat cushion and encouraging the dog to go at it? Tom’s jealousy rages out of control. He continues to seethe and plot revenge, but it never seems warranted. It isn’t funny or clever; either. In the end, ‘Dozen 2” attempts to emphasize the importance of families, but comes across ascliché andplastic --- like the carton that eggs come in.
Nicky VanValkenburgh is a film critic who runs a stress reduction website that features funny, weird and bizarre photographs. Check it out athttp://www.20minutestolessstress.com/Funny_pictures.html