Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005): Dir: Adam Shankman / Cast: Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, Carmen Electra, Hilary Duff: Unnecessary sequel about a larger than large family. When Tom Baker realizes that his children are growing up and pursuing opportunities elsewhere he decides to get the whole family together for one last assemble at the old lake. Unfortunately it is bought by an old rival with a big family of his own. This leads to an aged competition that goes back and forth for the rest of the film. Standard screenplay with very little to surprise anyone. Directed by Adam Shankman who previously made the unremarkable The Wedding Planner. He does his best with what little he is given. Steve Martin is involved in several mishaps while trying to encourage family activities. Bonnie Hunt is the voice of reason as she was before. Eugene Levy joins as the standard rival who acts like he is twelve, and Carmen Electra plays his much younger wife who is surprisingly understanding but still pretty cardboard. Hilary Duff makes an appearance as one of Martin's daughters but it is merely just a celebrity appearance. Nobody seems challenged, least of all of production designer. The children get older but that is hardly the purpose here. This film exits purely due to success of the first film, which is watchable at best. This film got cheaper by several dozen. Score: 1 / 10

Cheaper By The Dozen 2 isn't really an outstanding sequel, and it's quite a forgettable one too. But it's all in good fun, and there are scenes which will make you laugh a lot, or at least chuckle or smile. The fact that the kids seem older now and some of them have seemed to change isn't very pleasing, but throughout the film you'll come to terms with it.So the film takes place a while after the first film, the kids are beginning to grow up, and many changes are taking place. Tom Baker(Steve Martin)feels that the family are breaking apart, and decides that it's time for one last family vacation at Lake Winnetka. Only does he know his old rival and his family are staying for the summer, and haywire gets loose! The movie has one of the most competitive rivals, Jimmy Murtaugh( Eugene Levy), and the best thing is; you'll love to hate him! And isn't that what you should think of rivals to the main characters in a film?And of course, there is the lovable work of Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and all the other members of the cast.So, what I would say is that Cheaper By The Dozen 2 would certainly not be for anyone who hasn't seen or was negative of it's Preceder. But I'd also say for real Cheaper fans and people who love family films and such, it's a fun treat.

I had fun with the original Cheaper by the dozen. Now here is Cheaper by the dozen 2, film that I had even more fun with. But I gave it the same rating. That is because this film is a tad silly. Like the last one. Cheaper by the dozen 2 doesn't have Ashton Kutcher which is one flaw. But other than that, I enjoyed Cheaper by the dozen 2. You will probably disagree with me, but I liked it more than the first one. Cheaper by the dozen 2 introduces some new characters, like Eugene Levy's character, who was Steve Martin's character's old rival. Also, the film introduces a way younger version of Taylor Lautner from that gay film Twilight. I had a good time with Cheaper by the dozen 2 and I give it, not a big thumbs up, but a thumbs up.Cheaper by the dozen 2:***/****

'Cheaper by the Dozen 2' is pretty much the typical family comedy that has nothing new to offer. That does not mean that the film is absent of entertainment. It pretty much follows the usual formula with the regular ingredients. The slapstick and jokes are expected but still amusing. There are some funny adult jokes too. The film has heart and that's what works for it. Shankman and his cast and crew must have had a great time (as was also apparent on the DVD extras). Steve Martin and Eugene Levy are good. Martin has played the comedic family dad perhaps more than a dozen times and he has become quite skilled at it. The extremely talented Bonnie Hunt is criminally underused but she has an effective presence, nonetheless. Carmen Electra is a surprise. She plays a hot mom but not the clichéd one, rather one that is compassionate, gentle and caring. Electra does a good job and proves that she can do more than being just an airhead or a seductress. Piper Perabo is also underused. Jaime King is very pretty. Hilary Duff plays sort of a spoilt brat (which is a change from her sweet pretty girl image) but her acting is quite bad and she needs to eat. The child actors were all fun to watch. Overall, it's all goofy family fun and quite enjoyable when watching with the family.