Cheaper by the Dozen 2

MPAA Rating: PG

Entertainment: +3

Content: +2 1/2

Back for round two in this family comedy sequel, Tom (Steve Martin) and Kate Baker (Bonnie Hunt) decide to take their maturing tribe of 12 children back to the family vacation spot one last time. Worried that his family is drifting apart as school, work and the interests of life pull them in different directions, Tom is eager to make their week at Lake Winnetka a valuable and memorable one. But soon after arriving, the Baker family encounters Toms old rival, Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy), and in only a few moments, their rivalry is rekindled. Each instantly criticizes the others parenting style and brags about how great his kids are. And before long, Tom and Jimmy enroll every member of their families in a sporting competition to see which family really is the best. Meanwhile, both the Baker and the Murtaugh children find that their vacation is straining their family relationships rather than strengthening them. Also starring Hilary Duff and Carmen Elektra.

Like its modestly successful predecessor, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a light-hearted family film about the struggles and successes of parenting. Billed as a comedy, Steve Martins slapstick antics play an important role in the film, but thankfully they dont dominate it. Families can enjoy laughing together as they watch the film, but they can also recognize its message as stated by one of the characters: There is no way to be a perfect parent but a million ways to be a really good one. Indeed, Tom and Kate Baker do make mistakes as parents. Their children frequently misbehave, damage property, steal and play practical jokes. Sometimes Tom is even a partner in crime. But at the end of the day, they are also excellent parents who care about their kids and do their best to teach and help them. Sure, its predictable and not too flashy, but its also heartwarming and a good pick for families this holiday season.

Preview Reviewer: Shaun Daugherty
Distributor: 20th Century Fox

Summary
The following categories contain objective listings of film content which contribute to the subjective numeric Content ratings posted to the left and on the Home page.

Crude Language: None

Obscene Language: Few (3) times mild (other 2); moderate (p-ss 1)

Profanity: Few (2) times moderate (OMG 1); strong (J 1)

Violence: Several times mild (man falls off a tire swing onto his back, man falls off knee-board and continues to be pulled behind a boat, kids accidentally light fireworks at an outdoor banquet causing fires and chaos, dog jumps on a woman, dog searches for food under a table and causes broken dishes and a ruined meal, men fall off a balcony, man falls on a log and straddles it, kids crash a golf car, men push each other and argue, man in wheelchair falls into a lake, a few other scenes with slapstick physical comedy)

Sex: None

Nudity: Few times mild (woman shown in bathing suit)

Sexual Dialogue/Gesture: Few times mild (married couple refers to the conception of their children, teenage girl and boy go on a date, boy puts his arm around girl and kisses her on the cheek, married couple shown kissing)

Drugs: Few times mild (adults shown drinking beer and wine)

Other: Appropriate references to a godmother and godchild; two dads are engaged in a rivalry which includes their parenting skills and the successfulness of their children; portrayal of disobedient children and good parental counseling and discipline; girl is caught stealing, and parent talks with her about what she did and why; portrayal of the difficulties of parenting and the imperfection of parents; parents choose a very minimal approach to disciplining their children.

Running Time: 100 minutes
Intended Audience: Families

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