*Cheaper by the Dozen 2*

*Cheaper by the Dozen 2* is a 2005 American family comedy film and a sequel to the 2003 film *Cheaper by the Dozen*. Directed by Adam Shankman and produced by Shawn Levy, the film follows the chaotic Baker family as they vacation at a lakeside resort, where they engage in a rivalry with a larger, more competitive family led by Tom Welling and Carmen Electra. Featuring the return of stars Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, the movie blends physical comedy with themes of family bonding and was released by 20th Century Fox during the Christmas season. While it received generally negative reviews from critics, it was a moderate commercial success at the global box office.

Plot

The story centers on Tom Baker, played by Steve Martin, who decides to gather his sprawling family for one last summer vacation at Lake Winnetka before his eldest daughter, Nora, moves away. Upon arrival, they encounter the ultra-competitive and prolific Murtaugh family, led by Jimmy Murtaugh, portrayed by Eugene Levy. A longstanding, friendly rivalry between Tom and Jimmy escalates into a series of outlandish competitions during the annual Labor Day games, involving events like tug of war and canoeing. Subplots involve the romantic entanglements of the Baker children, including Sarah's flirtation with the Murtaughs' son, and the pregnancy of daughter Lorraine. The climax sees the families putting aside their rivalry to rescue Tom and Jimmy during a perilous boat race, leading to a heartfelt reconciliation and a celebration of their extended clan.

Cast

The ensemble cast is led by Steve Martin reprising his role as patriarch Tom Baker and Bonnie Hunt as his wife, Kate Baker. The Baker children are played by Piper Perabo as Nora, Tom Welling as Charlie, Hilary Duff as Lorraine, Kevin G. Schmidt as Henry, Alyson Stoner as Sarah, and Jacob Smith as Jake, among others. The rival Murtaugh family features Eugene Levy as Jimmy Murtaugh, Carmen Electra as his wife, Sarina, and Jaime King as their daughter, Anne. Notable supporting roles include Jonathan Bennett as Bud McNulty, Nora's fiancé, and a cameo by Taylor Lautner as Elliot Murtaugh. The cast also includes Shawn Levy in a minor role and voice work by Morgan York as Kim Baker.

Production

Development began at 20th Century Fox following the financial success of the first film, with Adam Shankman hired to direct after his work on *The Pacifier*. The screenplay was written by Sam Harper, with Shawn Levy and Ben Myron serving as producers under the Robert Simonds Productions banner. Principal photography took place primarily in Ontario, Canada, with key locations including the Muskoka region standing in for Lake Winnetka and scenes shot at Blue Mountain Resort. The production faced challenges coordinating the large ensemble cast, particularly for complex physical comedy sequences and the elaborate Labor Day games. The score was composed by John Debney, and cinematography was handled by Peter James.

Release

The film was released theatrically in the United States on December 21, 2005, by 20th Century Fox, strategically positioned for the Christmas holiday family audience. Its premiere was held in Los Angeles, with promotional tours featuring the cast. Internationally, it opened in markets such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and Germany throughout early 2006. The movie was later released on DVD and VHS in April 2006, featuring bonus materials like deleted scenes and behind-the-scenes featurettes. It also aired on television networks like Fox and Disney Channel, and eventually became available on streaming platforms such as Disney+.

Reception

Upon release, the film received predominantly negative reviews from critics. Review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes reports a low approval rating, with criticism directed at its predictable plot and reliance on slapstick humor. However, some reviewers from outlets like *Variety* noted its effective family-friendly message. Commercially, it earned approximately $129 million worldwide against a $60 million budget, performing solidly at the box office though not matching the success of its predecessor. It was nominated for awards at the MTV Movie Awards and Teen Choice Awards, but did not win major accolades. The film has since developed a modest following as a staple of family holiday programming.

Category:2005 films Category:American comedy films Category:20th Century Fox films