Are We Done Yet? (Columbia/Revolution) is an only fairly amusing sequel to 2005's Are We There Yet? The script is a reworking of the Cary Grant-Myrna Loy screwball classic Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House, which also inspired the 1986 Tom Hanks-Shelley Long hit The Money Pit.
The film begins with clever animated credits that reintroduce us to the main characters. Now married, Nick Parsons (Ice Cube) and Suzanne (Nia Long) and her two kids from a previous marriage are living in cramped harmony in his old bachelor pad.
When Suzanne announces she's pregnant with twins, Nick decides to relocate his family to the great outdoors and a huge house desperately in need of refurbishing. The new addition to the cast is Chuck (John C. McGinley), a real estate agent who turns out to wear many more hats, including that of "baby whisperer," who wins over everyone in the family but Nick.
Predictable shenanigans ensue but there's way too much slapstick, even though done in cartoon style. (No matter how many times Nick falls through the roof, he is never really hurt.)
The film veers into buddy-movie territory, with overbearing Chuck challenging frustrated Nick into fixing up the house himself. Of course, Chuck and Nick bond, Suzanne goes into labor while in the house, and by the film's conclusion everyone has learned his or her share of life lessons.
Director Steve Carr (Next Friday) trots out every cliché imaginable, but the film does have a strong affirmation of family and friendship, and virtually no objectionable material. Another plus are several montage sequences, accompanied by some good R&B music.
The film contains brief innuendo, a comedic physical scuffle and other slapstick violence, scenes of drinking, marital discord and a tense nongraphic birth scene. The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II — adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG — parental guidance suggested. Some material may not be suitable for children.
