Review of Are We Done Yet? (2007) by Guy L — 09 Aug 2010

EXT. COUNTRY HOME-DAY-CONTINUOUS.

Ice Cube sits on a chair. The wood splinters and collapses under his weight, sending him to the floor. His very pregnant wife gives a disapproving look.

ICE CUBE.

(pointing to chair).

I can fix that.

And repeat for 90 pages. The best and worst part of Are We Done Yet? remains the fact that the film?s opening credits give a nod to its classic forebear Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, the original slapstick fixer-upper comedy. While it is respectful to give credence to one?s elders, this particular elder may not look upon pale imitation as a sign of respect. This is not to say that the movie is entirely dis-respectful. Though far from Mr. Blandings himself, Cary Grant (or Tom Hanks in the original knock-off, The Money Pit), Ice Cube?s likeability helps to carry the recycled repetitious material.

In this PG-rated sequel to Are We There Yet?, a family man (Ice Cube) moves his wife (Nia Long) and kids away from the city and buys a fixer-upper?with disastrous results.

As a busy-body contractor, McGinley puts his back into the job, but his character comes off so creepy that he does this comedy more harm than good. Long and the Are We There Yet? kids also seem game for this go-round, but the predictability of this tired outing must have them asking Was This Trip Really Necessary?

Bottom line: Q: Are We Done Yet? A: God, let?s hope so.