Cheaper by the Dozen
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Review #8 of 365
Film: Cheaper by the Dozen 2 [PG] 100 minutes
WIP: $7
When 1st Seen: 18 January 2006
Where Viewed: Lincoln Square Cinemas, Bellevue, WA
Time: 7:15 p.m.
Dedicated to: John W. of St. Paul, MN—he’s Ashton Kutcher and Ryan Reynolds rolled into one fierce cat
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Since the first sequel to a major motion picture was released, debates have been waged over their usefulness. First, I would offer up a bit of a different take and state that there is a big difference between the usefulness of a sequel and the next chapter of a story as was the case with the Lord of the Rings or Star Wars series vs. Hellraiser and Hellbound: Hellraiser 2. Cheaper by the Dozen 2 will only add fuel to the fire. Was it necessary to make this film? Was there a sufficiently compelling story to tell to warrant the actors coming together for a second run? One of my litmus tests for sequels focuses on the question, “Could this film have stood on its own merit or does it only work because the audience gets the inside jokes now rendered less fresh by the sequel?” A very good example of this could be found in the sequel to the first Christopher Reeve Superman film. Many critics use this Superman 2 as an example to support that sequels can exceed the ‘greatness’ of their predecessors given the right story. I would not disagree that Superman 2 was vastly superior to Superman—the movie. In fact, most people who have seen both probably blend the stories and forget which plot points came from which film. When they made Superman—the movie, they did not know if it would be successful, so, it stands to reason that the sequel would be given more money and a bigger vision as the studios knew that the first film out-performed their wildest expectations--hence, an even better Superman 2. Likewise for the Godfather and its sequel. Still, there are a host of sequels that do not measure up and were so obviously slapped together just to capitalize on residual revenue as to blow most arguments in favor of sequels right out of the water. Some film purists do not believe there should ever be sequels, in fact, again as opposed to parts of a larger story broken into several movies (ie Kill Bill vols 1 & 2). Cheaper by the Dozen 2 did not need to be made. It did not take us that much further into the lives of the Baker family helmed again by Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. The story has some Hallmark®/Kodak® moments that will touch parents of children growing up all too fast in today’s increasingly complex world. Overall, however, the derivative plot, predictable turns of events, over-reliance on trite, painful, physical comedy stunts, and cookie cutter characters we’ve seen a zillion times before make for a serious source of wonderment as to why this film was green-lighted. With no disrespect intended for Mr. Martin, Ms Hunt, Hillary Duff, nor Tom Welling, for some reason, I have it in my mind that the only thing that carried the first Cheaper by the Dozen was the near cameo role for Ashton Kutcher whose fans now stand forewarned--he’s not in this one.
Cheaper by the Dozen 2, which I would have titled, “Cheaper by the Baker’s Dozen” if I had been given the task (and I much prefer it when sequels are given creative titles by the way), has some funny parts and some good messages for families and kids. If I had kids, though, I’d take them to see Narnia: Episode I about ten or twelve times before I spend the dough on CbtD2. The cost of admission is the same either way; however, as a parent I would get a lot more bang for my buck with money spent on Narnia. With any luck, though, since CbtD2 is doing well at the box office, there will be a CbtD3. And it might be even better than CBTD 1 & 2. My title would be Cheaper by the Score (think 20) and my suggestions for the plot? Let’s see, all the kids and 8 grandkids return urgently to Chicago seven years from now when the twins overhear a conversation right before Valentine’s Day that leads them to believe that their parents are planning to divorce. The mission—Operation: Get Mom and Dad back together. Problem, the parents were not actually contemplating divorce until they witness, first-hand, how their kids have actually turned out. The twins resurrect an old gag with some hamburger meat and their now very mangy mutt to help bring added mayhem to the mix. In the end, the family all ends up at Buckingham Fountain holding hands in a big giant circle and singing “Better Days” by the Goo Goo Dolls. Oh yeah, and Ashton Kutcher would have a cameo. Ah, a guy can dream!
This still photo now available. Click to be directed to this photo and other items from the film ready for purchase.
Now Available for Purchase on DVD
Cheaper By The Dozen 2 [DVD] (2005) DVD
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