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movie review

Are We Done Yet?

Ice Cube asks the question, and we have the answer

By Eric Alt | Metromix
April 4, 2007

Two years after family-friendly road movie "Are We There Yet?" became a surprise hit, Ice Cube and his new family return for a sequel. Whether you asked for it or not.

Leaving behind a cramped apartment in search of their dream home, Cube's brood locate a hidden gem just out of their price range that, wouldn't you know it, comes complete with faulty wiring, dry rot and rascally animals. As far as generic comedic premises go, this one just overtook "banana peel" and "clergymen walking into a drinking establishment" to earn the top spot.

More thoroughly bland than flat-out bad, "Are We Done Yet?" rehashes the 1948 Cary Grant classic "Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House" (they even cop to it in the opening credits). But Tom Hanks already did that, and did it better, in 1986's "The Money Pit."

Everything here is perfectly kid-safe, but it's difficult to imagine kids being all that excited about watching Cube and John C. McGinley (Dr. Cox from "Scrubs") argue about the difference between a realtor, an inspector and a contractor. Even the fact that Cube's Pacific Northwest home is, apparently, surrounded by talking fish, raccoons and deer won't be enough to hold the interest of most children, let alone any adults in the audience.

Viewers of a certain age will spend most of "Are We Done Yet?" musing: "This is the same guy from N.W.A.? Seriously?" But at least the filmmakers gave critics a perfect set-up title. To answer the question: Yes, Cube, we are done.

Related topic galleries: Cary Grant, Tom Hanks, Ice Cube, Movies

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