Cheaper By The Dozen 2
reviewed by Jane Louise Boursaw
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MPAA Rating: |
Star Rating: |
| 7+ |
PG |
*** |
 When we last left the Baker tribe, they'd settled into their new house, and Tom (Steve Martin) had switched out his football coaching job for something less stressful. What could they possibly do that's wackier than a frog in the scrambled eggs? How about taking the brood to a lakeside resort, where Tom enters into an insane competition with his long-time rival?
In this sequel to 2003's Cheaper by the Dozen, Tom and Kate (Bonnie Hunt) take their brood of twelve to rustic Lake Winnetka for what they hope will be a memorable summer vacation. They were right. The retreat soon becomes cutthroat when they enter into a competition with the over-achieving members of a large family headed by Tom's long-time rival, Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy).
PRE-SCHOOLER (ages 2-5): This movie will whiz right over the tops of preschoolers' tiny heads. For lessons in familial harmony, they're better off watching "Max and Ruby" work out their differences on Nick Jr. or Noggin, or taking a trip with the friendly bunny in "Postcards From Buster."
GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6-10): This age group pretty much loves the "crude humor" promised by a PG rating. Expect lots of wacky hijinks, especially Steve Martin's wild and crazy shtick. Our household is already looking forward to The Pink Panther in 2006.
TWEEN/TEEN (ages 11+): Hey, this isn't Shakespeare, but what did you expect? If older kids can handle the extremely over-exposed Hilary Duff for a whole movie, more power to them. The fabulous Tom Welling more than makes up for it. And it's a nice way to escape from the holiday madness for a couple of hours.
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Jane Louise Boursaw is a freelance writer specializing in the television and movie industry. Her syndicated column, "Reel Life With Jane," is published in papers throughout the country. Email her at jboursaw@charter.net.
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