Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (*3/4)

Less annoying but duller than the 2003 Cheaper, this sequel has Steve Martin again acting like an ass when his clan vacations near a filthy-rich childhood rival (Eugene Levy).

Eagerly awaited by Steve Martin’s accountants, this sequel to a remake finds Martin and Bonnie Hunt summering at a lake with their clan. According to Hunt’s voiceover, the theme is “learning to let go.” However, the actual theme is, Dad’s being a jackass (again) trying to compete with his filthy-rich childhood rival (Eugene Levy) and his overachieving kids. The kids (all 20) pretty much get along, so things are not quite as noisy and frenetic as the 2003 Cheaper. Fine by me, but this movie was about as dull as watching a neighbor’s vacation slides for 90 minutes. I imagine anyone who liked the first one will like this too, but slightly less. Exactly one line made me laugh, when one kid says, “Cool, we’re following poo!” I imagine if anyone makes a third in the series (perhaps subtitled Still Not Cheap Enough), they’ll be saying the same thing.

IMDb link

circulated via email 12/29/05 and posted online 9/19/13