When we last left the Bakers two years ago, Tom (Steve Martin) had learned that family is more important than occupation, and he did the responsible thing by resigning from his dream job coaching the football team at his alma mater. Now the whole tribe is on vacation, but when Tom runs into his old rival, Jimmy Murtaugh (Levy), he must again learn to put his own foolish desires aside for the sake of the clan. Immediate relatives are indeed of great significance, but this is information widely known by most infants.
The Cheaper by the Dozen saga should be praised for its values. The franchise offers positive life lessons with little that could be deemed offensive (both films are rated PG). To ensure that this fountain of wisdom is easily digestible to all, it is pitched at a comprehension level slightly below Sesame Street.
There is no real plot in either film. The parents become consumed by their everyday lives, the kids behave like kids and chaos ensues. There are a few laughs to make the whole concoction go down smoother, but be forewarned that the law of diminishing returns is in full effect.
The producers of these types of films (including Yours, Mine & Ours) seem to be operating under the assumption that by creating a character to correspond to every conceivable demographic, they will ensure maximum audience appeal. All it really ensures is that each character is delivered in the broadest strokes possible (this one is a nature lover, this one's a tomboy, and the twins, well, they don't need any more defining characteristic). Does the title refer to the protagonists, or to potential viewers?
If there's any real value to come from this, it's in the Steve Martin Hollywood dichotomy. This process—laid out in more detail by critic David Sterritt in his book, Guiltless Pleasures—states that for every "wild and crazy guy" performance that Martin gives, he is enabled to pursue a more intelligent project like Shopgirl or Novocaine. Between this film and slumming for the Pink Panther remake next year, his next picture should be a masterpiece.
So go ahead and take the kids to Cheaper by the Dozen 2. You'll get a few chuckles and no harm will come of it. Just don't expect your lives to be enriched in the slightest.