2 of 2

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 suffers from too many characters and too few fresh ideas. Its heart is in the right place, but a reliance on gimmicks and sentiment undermines the story. In the end, both the laughs and the tears in Cheaper by the Dozen 2 come just a little too cheap.

Talk About It

1. The Bakers and the Murtaughs have conflicting parenting styles, with Tom emphasizing love and flexibility, and Jimmy emphasizing discipline and structure. Who is right?
   
   
2. There is plenty of friction in the Baker clan, but there is also forgiveness. Does forgiving someone who has offended you enable his or her behavior? What is the appropriate response when a loved one repeatedly annoys you?
   
   
3. Tom has a hard time letting his young daughter go on an unsupervised date. What is an appropriate age for dating? Does it depend on the individual?
   
   
4. The film gives some good examples of Competitiveness Gone Bad. When is a competitive spirit a good thing? How can we tell when competitiveness is out of control?
   
   

The Family Corner

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is rated PG for some very mild language (including a few instances of taking the Lord's name in vain) and some crude humor. While siblings sometimes say demeaning things to each other, overall the film affirms the importance of treating others with respect and kindness.

Photos © Copyright Twentieth Century Fox

© Carolyn Arends 2005, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

Despite the return of Steve Martin and the addition of Eugene Levy, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 isn't impressing Christian film critics.

Marcus Yoars (Plugged In) says the movie "isn't as bad as it's being labeled." He adds, "For those who enjoy their pro-family messages wrapped in warm-hearted Hallmark moments, the movie delivers." But he does challenge Cheaper on several points, asking why director Adam Shankman "felt compelled to fixate on Carmen Electra's cleavage and curves? Or why he included a strident abuse of Jesus' name? Or why … he decided to gloss over glaring cases of kids behaving badly? It just doesn't seem to fit."

Meanwhile, Lisa Rice (Crosswalk) is much more positive about the film. "Cheaper 2 has plenty of warmth and heart among its funny shticks. Though Steve Martin and some of the others are downright goofy at times, the movie's silliness is tempered by carefully constructed moments of relatable drama and adventure."

Patty Moliterno (Christian Spotlight) says, "I saw this movie with my husband and 5 children (ages 18 to 1). Afterwards, we all were of the same opinion. We wasted our time and money."

Plenty of mainstream critics also feel they paid too much for Cheaper.

first page |  2 of 2