One great film that really didn't need a sequel was "Cheaper by the Dozen." But naturally, becaue the first made so much money, Hollywood has decided to reunite Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt for a sequel. The seqel has a number of problems. The first is that the film isn't really about the kids. The film is more about the parents and the way they treat their kids. This could have worked as a plot outline, had the rest of the film not been weighed down by endless slapstick comedy. The first film was original and had alot of sophisticated humor. This film appealed to younger kids and those people who enjoy films with sappy endings. The film seems to be attempting to make a film that will hit the audience emotionally, however the movie tries too hard and goes overboard with the cheesy one-liners.

In the film The Baker family sets off to their house on a lake where Tom (Steve Martin) meets up with his old "Labor Day Marathon" nemesis (Eugene Levy). Instead of having a fun filled family vacation Tom turns it into a competition with the family across the lake. Naturally the kids try to socialize with the other family, romances blossom, and the fathers learn a valuable life lesson.

Sure the film offered a few funny scenes, but when I saw that the family would once again pull an "underwear soaked in meat" prank, I knew the film was destined to fail. Younger kids will like it, but teens and adults will find it stressful and boring.

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