Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Ice Cube's do-it-yourself sequel is too formulaic.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Are We Done Yet?
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 4 parent reviews
Based on 22 kid reviews
Kids say the movie is funny and entertaining, often drawing comparisons to its predecessor but criticized for its crude humor and questionable scenes for younger viewers. While some appreciate the messages about family and DIY, others find certain characters annoying and the movie's overall execution lacking compared to the first film.
- funny
- crude humor
- family messages
- mixed reactions
- character annoyance
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
In ARE WE DONE YET? -- a loose remake of the Cary Grant-Myrna Loy classic Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House -- Nick (Ice Cube) shares a crowded apartment with his new wife, Suzanne (Nia Long) and her two kids, with a new pair of twins on the way. The clan leaves Portland for the country to renovate a grand 19th-century mansion -- which, as it turns out, basically needs to be gutted and rebuilt, plank-by-plank and pipe-by-pipe. Hovering over every step of the process is town realtor/contractor/inspector/counselor/midwife Chuck (John C. McGinley). Having sold the fixer-upper, Chuck becomes persona non grata to Nick, but the rest of the family adores his quirky, all-knowing ways -- even moody 13-year-old Lindsey (Aleisha Allen), who's too boy-crazy to notice much of anyone.
Is It Any Good?
At this point, you wonder whether there will ever be a family comedy that doesn't show a dad getting smacked in the face with flying kitchen debris or in the groin with a pain-inducing object. The omission of those trite sight gags would be a novel idea indeed, but the sequel to Are We There Yet? isn't original enough to survive without such familiar scenes. That said, it is much better (and cleaner) than the original.
McGinley steals the show with Chuck's goofy-but-wise antics and exhaustive résumé (he's an expert in Capoiera, a former L.A. Laker, and a championship power-walker). Meanwhile, Long -- a lovely and talented actress -- seems decorative by comparison, which is a shame, since she's got great comic timing. Despite the all-too-familiar nature of its home-improvement jokes and teenage-daughter dilemmas, some families might get a belly laugh or two out of this formulaic film. Just don't expect a trilogy.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the media portrays blended families. Is Nick's relationship with his stepkids realistic? What kinds of issues do blended families face in real life? Families can also discuss the media's take on kids' transition into full-blown adolescence. How is Lindsey similar to and different from 13-year-olds you know? Why is Nick so upset about the way she dresses? Parents and kids can also talk about stereotypes. How does the movie portray Hawaiian people and the blind? Is it funny or offensive? Why?
Movie Details
- In theaters : April 4, 2007
- On DVD or streaming : August 7, 2007
- Cast : Ice Cube , John C. McGinley , Nia Long
- Director : Steve Carr
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Revolution Studios
- Genre : Comedy
- Run time : 92 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : some innuendos and brief language.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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