Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A dad gets overly competitive with another dad at a lake, causing his pregnant daughter to almost give birth in a canoe, proving family is more important than winning…or something.

🍿 Cheaper by the Dozen 2: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Bakers’ Last Family Vacation

Two years after the first film, the Baker family is facing major life changes. Lorraine is graduating high school and planning to move to New York for an internship, and Nora is married and expecting a baby, also planning to move. Tom, feeling the family drifting apart, decides to take them on one last family vacation to Lake Winnetka, where they used to spend summers together.

Rivalry with the Murtaughs

At Lake Winnetka, the Bakers encounter Tom’s childhood rival, Jimmy Murtaugh, who now owns a luxurious property across the lake with his own large family. Jimmy flaunts his wealth and the achievements of his children, leading to a heated competition between the two families. Tom becomes overly competitive, pushing his kids to participate in family activities and best the Murtaughs.

Family Cup and Growing Tensions

The rivalry escalates as Tom and Jimmy decide to settle their differences at the Annual Labor Day Family Cup. Tom’s intense training and competitive nature alienate his children, who resent being forced to participate. Sarah, one of the Baker children, even develops a romantic interest in Elliot Murtaugh, further complicating the situation. The tension reaches a boiling point as the family starts to fall apart due to Tom’s obsession with winning.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tom Baker (Steve Martin): The competitive father of twelve who tries to recapture his family’s closeness during a vacation.
• Kate Baker (Bonnie Hunt): The supportive and understanding mother who balances her husband’s antics and the needs of their large family.
• Lorraine Baker (Hilary Duff): The fashion-conscious daughter ready to start her career in New York, symbolizing the Baker children’s growing independence.
• Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy): Tom’s long-time rival and father of eight, who flaunts his wealth and success, igniting a competitive feud with Tom.
• Sarina Murtaugh (Carmen Electra): Jimmy’s younger wife who brings compassion and understanding to her husband’s competitive nature.
• Sarah Baker (Alyson Stoner): The tomboyish Baker child who finds romance with a Murtaugh, highlighting the softening of the family rivalry.
• Nora Baker-McNulty (Piper Perabo): The oldest Baker daughter, pregnant and ready to start a new life, symbolizing the next generation of the Baker family.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tom: “I just want one last great family vacation before everyone scatters.” – Tom expresses his longing to keep his family together as they grow older.
• Jimmy: “It’s not bragging if it’s true.” – Jimmy says this while boasting about his family’s achievements and wealth.
• Tom: “There’s no way to be a perfect parent, but a million ways to be a really good one.” – Tom reflects on his parenting journey and accepts the imperfections.

💰Box Office

• Budget: $60,000,000
• Domestic Gross: $82,571,173
• Worldwide Gross: $130,154,568

💥 Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Reviews

Personal Review

Okay, so ‘Cheaper by the Dozen 2’ isn’t winning any awards, but I have a soft spot for it. I remember watching it with my family during the holidays, and we were all laughing at the ridiculous situations. Steve Martin and Eugene Levy have a great comedic rivalry, and although the plot is predictable, it’s a fun, lighthearted movie to watch with the family.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Families with kids”
  • “Fans of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt”
  • “Viewers looking for lighthearted comedies”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Mild comedic violence”
  • “Some rude humor”
  • “Brief suggestive content”

Professional Reviews

• IMDb: “A harmless and bland sequel. It offers a few laughs but not enough to sustain its running time. The original film was an okay family film, nothing special. The sequel is more or less the same and it also makes for a decent family film. I was expecting a little more though. There are a few interesting subplots but the main premise is very silly. I know it’s a family movie and all but why did the story have to be so generic? Since the script is weak there is a lack of character development, the film is kind of boring. There are a few funny gags and performances but they aren’t good enough to save the movie.
• Common Sense Media: “This sequel amps up the slapstick and adds a rival family, but it’s still a feel-good family flick with positive messages. It’s pretty predictable, but it’s entertaining enough for a family movie night. There are some good moments with the kids bonding, which is nice.
• Rotten Tomatoes: “While not groundbreaking, Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a decent family film. It’s watchable. There isn’t much to it, but it is definitely a passable movie to watch with the family during the holidays or on a night in. There are a few good gags that may make you laugh if you don’t watch too closely.

Audience Reactions

The physical comedy from Steve Martin and Eugene Levy’s rivalry.: It’s a lighthearted family movie, with the competitive rivalry and slapstick humor.

The heartwarming ending with the family coming together.: Viewers found the movie as a cute family film with some heart.

Overall Consensus: Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is a decent family movie with slapstick humor and a lighthearted tone, although it may not win any awards.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “Several of the child actors from the first film had noticeably grown between movies, requiring some plot adjustments to account for their aging.”
• “The filmmakers chose a lakeside setting in Canada to capture the essence of a family vacation spot.”
• “The rivalry between Steve Martin and Eugene Levy was largely improvised, allowing them to bring their comedic chemistry to the film.”

🖥️ How to Watch Cheaper by the Dozen 2?

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 is available for streaming on platforms like Disney+ and can be rented or purchased on services like Prime Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Vudu. Check your local listings for availability.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Cheaper by the Dozen 2, you might like these similar films:

• Father of the Bride (1991): Features Steve Martin in a family comedy, dealing with changes as his daughter prepares for a major life event.
• Parenthood (1989): Explores the challenges and joys of raising children, highlighting the diverse experiences within a family.
• The Great Outdoors (1988): A comedy centered on a family vacation gone awry, featuring humorous mishaps and relatable family dynamics.
• Vacation (2015): A modern family comedy that showcases the chaotic nature of family vacations and the bonds that hold them together.
• RV (2006): A family comedy about a dysfunctional family taking a road trip together, similar to the chaotic family dynamic of the Bakers.

🛒 Cheaper by the Dozen 2 Related Products

• Cheaper by the Dozen/Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (Double Feature): The double feature brings both movies together into one purchase, making for a good gift.
• Hilary Duff: Most Wanted: CD features the best hit of the artist. A perfect gift for Hilary Duff’s fan
• Bonnie Hunt – Complete Series: Bonnie Hunt’s most memorable episodes on television. Includes episodes featuring family and friend values.
• Steve Martin: The Television Stuff: Includes Steve Martin’s performance from Saturday Night Live and stand-up show. Provides many fun content for the whole family.

🎧 Soundtrack

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “I Wish” – performed by Stevie Wonder

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Taylor Lautner – 2005 Red Carpet (Cheaper By The Dozen 2 Premiere)

Ever wonder what it was like at the Cheaper by the Dozen 2 premiere? Check out this old-school red carpet interview with a young Taylor Lautner. It’s kinda cool to see him before he became a huge star!

Cheaper By The Dozen Movies Booby Traps Montage (Music Video)

Remember all the crazy gags and booby traps from Cheaper by the Dozen? This montage is pure chaotic fun! Get ready to laugh at all the silly slapstick moments.

The Early Tapes: Taylor Lautner

Check out this super cute interview with a young Taylor Lautner at the Cheaper by the Dozen 2 premiere! It’s a fun throwback and shows how far he’s come.

✨ Rate