Review of Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) by Christopherp. — 14 Nov 2006

You know what you can expect when you see a film titled "Cheaper By The Dozen 2." Lighthearted fun, breezy moments with a few chuckles. That is the highest expectations, and anyone who expects more needs to have seen more.

The first "Cheaper By The Dozen," well, actually not the first but the first remake, was surprisingly delightful. Sure, it was a crockpot of mush and oversentiment but it fit the bill for its target audience.

Here, the entire cast is back and the only feasible explanation one can give to that is a contract that would have forced them to produce a sequel if the first "Dozen" was a success, which it was.

"Cheaper By The Dozen 2" is a laughless affair, and even worse than no laughs are all the desperate gags Steve Martin and Eugene Levy attempt to do. Hilary Duff continues stuck in family-fare fluff, and such quips such as "you are so butch" and "I totally know how you feel" makes me long for her to either sign onto a film where she actually can expand her artistic merit, or leave acting altogether.

Piper Perabo, a talented young actress when she's given a task, has nothing better to do than complain to her anal-retantive dad, Martin, and deliver her baby. Carmen Electra is Levy's third wife, and Electra got the most credit for getting down the role of an airheaded, bimboish mom right.

That's how desperate some critics were to give any form of credit to the movie. Bottom line is "Cheaper 2" is lame and incredibly boring. The only good aspect is its scenery.