It’s Always Better the Second Time Around?

Steve Martin + a dozen kids xs 2 should be 24xs funnier, right?

By Robert J. Sodaro

Cheaper by the Dozen 2: Rated “PG” (100 minutes)

Starring: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Piper Perabo, Tom Welling, Hilary Duff

Directed by: Adam Shankman

If I had a dozen kids I’d probably shoot myself. That is, if my wife didn’t shoot me first!

As is obvious from the title (and the #2 after the words in the title) this film is the predictable sequel to the 2003 film by that name (and staring essentially the same cast — the most notable absence of which is Ashton Kutcher who played the boyfriend of the oldest child, Nora Baker (Piper Perabo). (Interestingly enough, in this film, which appears to take place only a couple of years after the first film, she is now married and quite pregnant, only her husband’s name is Mike and played by Peter Keleghan. I guess she got over him quick, eh?)

Although both this film and its predecessor are purportedly based on the exploits of the real-life Gilbreth family (as related in the eponymous 1948 book) and the cult favorite 1950 film classic, the only element either the two new remakes retain from the original is the idea of there being 12 children in one family. Even the names of the characters are changed. Plus, while the original film and the book on which it was based, were a warm-hearted, coming-of-age family film at the turn of the 20th Century, both of the modern-day films have been re-cast as goofy, prat-fall comedies.

Hey, who wouldn’t Want Steve Martin to be their dad?

Not that this is entirely a bad thing, especially, as they showcase classic Steve Martin humor, and seem to play quite well to the mulling, puking masses that pass for 21st Century movie audiences. So while this isn’t the book that I read in grade school, it was still quite entertaining (at least that is what my family told me, my daughter and wife loved it so much, they went to see it twice).

Let the battle of the kids begin!

The story this time around has Tom Baker (Martin) and wife Kate (Hunt), hoping to bring their family together for a one last great memorable summer vacation, just like they used to do when everyone was younger. So they manage to convince everyone (all 12 children, plus eldest daughter’s husband) to the rustic Lake Winnetka. Needless to say, their retreat soon devolves into an old rivalry with another large family — powered up by the over-achieving father and Tom's long-time rival, Jimmy Muraugh (Eugene Levy) — and a cutthroat competition ensues when they enter into a series of events for the holiday weekend classic.

Trust me, the book is way better!

As can be expected, any plot and/or story elements of the film are a distant second to the pranks, hi-jinks, and other goofball stunts that occur onscreen between these two families (including food fights, fireworks, random explosions, and other assorted nuttiness). Some of those “minor” elements include the birth of Nora Baker’s son, a budding romance between Charlie Baker and Anne Murtaugh (Jaime King), as well as the pre-teen Baker daughter (hey, story mattered so little to the film’s producers, that which actual child can’t possibly matter in this review) also falling Romeo and Juliet-style for one of the rival Muraugh kids.

Well, everything works its way out to a happy ending, the two young kids get to have their date, the two fathers learn to not be so competitive and allow their kids to make their own choices, the Baker Dad learns to let go and let his kids grow into their own lives, and everyone lives happily ever after.

OK, does she look happy to be here to you?

Still, I simply can’t let this film go without saying that I was completely unsure if Hilary Duff’s portrayal of Lorraine Baker was totally in character (in the first film she hated being from a large family, and wanted noting to do with them, could have simply been the role, however in this film her 10 minutes of screen time she seems to be genuinely pissed to have to be here.) It was almost as if she really would rather be on stage promoting her flagging singing career than fulfilling her contractual obligations to appear in the sequel. Personally I don’t think she is that good an actress.

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This entire article is copyright © 2006 Freelance Ink, All rights reserved. It cannot be reprinted without specific, written permission from the author.

Robert J. Sodaro has been writing professionally for over 20 years. During that time, his movie reviews and articles have appeared in numerous publications, as well as on the web; currently his reviews appear on the Web here and in print in MoreSugar.

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