by Karyn L. Beach

Are We Done Yet? really says something about the lack of creativity in Hollywood. It’s both a sequel, to Are We There Yet?, and a remake of the Cary Grant film, Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.

I can see the executives in the meeting now. “Since Are We There Yet? did better than expected, we need a sequel.” And another exec chimes in “Let’s not just make it a sequel let’s make it a sequel that’s a remake of an old movie.” A third one adds his two cents, “And let’s make it as predictable as possible because you know how much audiences hate surprises and how much they love to see the same gags over and over again.” And the scary thing is that it probably happened just like that.

Are We Done Yet? picks up a year after Are We There Yet? left off. Nick Parsons (Ice Cube) has married Suzanne (Nia Long) and stepped into the role of step dad for her two children - boy-crazy 13-year-old Lindsay (Aleisha Allen) and introverted eight-year-old Kevin (Phillip Bolden). Nick is also making the transition from sports memorabilia store owner to sports magazine publisher. If that weren’t enough, Suzanne announces that she’s pregnant with twins.

So Nick picks up the family and moves them to a big house out in the burbs. The house begins falling apart almost as soon as it’s sold; but there to help is real estate agent/contractor/inspector, Chuck Mitchell (John C. McGinley). Not only did he sell them the money pit, he’s making the repairs. In fact, he’s so ‘dedicated’ that he moves his trailer onto their property to oversee the work.

While this is supposed to be a family film, it really isn’t about the family. It’s about Nick and Chuck. Unfortunately, for Ice Cube, he gets the short end of the bargain. His job, basically, is to endure a lot of physical comedy – falling through the floor, getting electrocuted and surviving animal attacks. That can get a laugh or two (and it does) but those laughs don’t last long. Unfortunately for Cube, it’s McGinley (best known for Scrubs) who steals the show. He gets most of the funniest bits.

Nia Long and the two children don’t fare much better than Ice Cube. They just don’t have much to do. They get the obligatory and predictable secondary story lines. Lindsey dates a boy Nick doesn’t like. Nick gets to bond with Kevin but that’s about it.

Kids will like Are We Done Yet? They are the ones that appreciate the over-the-top slapstick comedy. Adults will get a laugh or two but probably not much more.

Are We Done Yet? I hope so. But if this one does well, it’s safe to say that we might not be done just yet.