Cheaper By The Dozen 2

Review by Clint Morris

Sometimes you’ve just gotta face it: The “Cheaper” alternative might be better than the more higher-end product. 

In the case of the new Steve Martin starring sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2, most of it might be made out of utilitarian outmoded materials, but that’s not to say the end product is a mess - in fact, as far as family comedies go, it’s pretty well constructed. 

Chances are, you’ll have a much better time with this than you will with half of the big blockbusters playing at the moment.

In this sequel to the remake, Martin and Bonnie Hunt reprise their roles as the Bakers, the parents of twelve all-rather-distinct kids. Fearing that the family are all slowly being separated – one is going off to live in New York, another is moving far away with her new hubby – and less of a clan, they decide to spend one last summer together at the old family lake house. When they get there, his old rival (a smug Eugene Levy) plays a part in turning what was meant to be a tranquil family holiday into a battle of the egos.

If you enjoyed the first one - and lets admit it, everyone but your token hard-nosed critic did - then you’ll enjoy this. It might have a pretty thin story – and most of it seems eerily familiar to John Hughes’ The Great Outdoors (1988) which featured John Candy and Dan Aykroyd in similar roles to the ones Martin and Levy play here – but it doesn’t try to be anything but light, fluffy, warm-hearted dimish entertainment.

There aren’t any real big belly laughs, but the cast, especially the always good-value Martin, make it an easily endurable hour and a half – and its got enough in it to appeal to both the littlies and the biggies, so no ones rear’s going to be asking for an acquittal half-way through.

Still, as good as Steve Martin is in these comedies – and for better and worse, he’ll be forever known as that funnyman we all know and love – we know now, especially after seeing him in the fantastic dramedy Shopgirl (which he also wrote), that he’s capable of much, much more. Martin sleepwalks through his role again here – only really waking up when he has to run into something or fall balls-first onto a log. The man has to eat though.

EXTRAS

Just like the film, go in expecting very little from the DVD - in terms of extras and so on - and you'll probably be just as pleasantly surprised. 

Director Adam Shankman provides a humorous and very informative commentary, seemingly unfraid to expose the warts of the cinematic masterpiece. There are also several entertaining featurettes - including one on the comedic trio of Martin, Hunt and Levy, as well as a TV special on how they cast Levy's kids in the film.

Conclusion: Movie 60% Extras: 40%