Movie - Cheaper by the Dozen 2

Cheaper by the Dozen 2
Rated PG

4 ½ stars

It use to be that sequels were not as good as the first movie. However, I think there is a change in this trend. Recently I have been enjoying follow up movies. This one is no exception.

Cheaper by the Dozen 2 does not try to pick up where the first one leaves off. I think that is a credit to them as the children have gotten older. They'd have to recast just about everyone to pick up at the same place.
Instead, this movie begins as Lorraine (Hillary Duff) is graduating. From there comes what may be the last family get-away at the lake.
While there aren't quite as many pranks, the children still have their share of mishaps. In addition to that, the dad (Steve Martin) meets up with his old friend and lake rival Jimmy Murtaugh (Eugene Levy) and his family. You'll have to watch the movie to see what happens from there.

I rented part one and part two (I had seen part one before tonight). I watched them both, one right after the other. I am even considering buying them both.
I am giving this movie 4 ½ stars.

CFR: Most

There is one obvious usage of ... a word for mad. If your child is one who does not hear such things – and would repeat it - , then I wouldn't suggest this movie. The dog gets rather friendly with a character's leg after the woman has been knocked down. This may be a concern for some. Otherwise, if you and your family enjoyed the first movie, you will enjoy second movie as well.
I'll put this under a family movie that most could watch.

Movie - Over the Hedge

Over the Hedge
Rated PG

4 Stars

This is a pretty good movie. The story line is good. The voices work well with the characters. There was a steady pace to the movie. But, for me, there was something lacking. I am not sure what, but there was something lacking. Children and adults seem to enjoy the movie. I did laugh in some sense. Of course, the “something lacking” could just be that it is a movie for children and I was a grumpy adult by the time we found our seats in the theater.

The main character is a raccoon voiced by Bruce Willis. He is a smooth talker with a hidden agenda. RJ (the raccoon) meets up with some woodland creatures that have awoken to find there log-home now sits by a new hedge. The animals, although made up of a mix of creatures, are a family. RJ shows this family how to find food just beyond the hedge... in suburbia. In the process of finding food, they also battle for survival against a human who has a dislike of foraging creatures in her perfect suburb. It really is a good family friendly film.

CFR: Yes

As I said before, a good family film.
One creature threatens another, and this is not really dealt with. Language wise, if there was any (I think there may have been one “mild” word), it isn't really noticeable/obvious. There is deception in the film. I am not sure that the honesty issue is addressed well enough, but it is pointed out that the truth should be told in the first place. And how can you have “moral lessons” in a movie without first having issues such as threats and deception? So, some things you could talk about after viewing this about are: Honesty, Turning to family for help, Trust, Obeying the law, Threats, Greed and Food Obsessions
Even with all this, overall, I think this is a “Yes” for any movie-going age.

Movie - Nanny McPhee

Nanny McPhee
Rated PG

3 ½ stars

I didn't think I'd like this movie and I didn't' think I'd want my children to see it. However, I did end up renting it last night. I don't know where I had gotten the ideas I had about this movie, but it wasn't really bad. It exceeded my low expectations.

It does have a Marry Poppins feel to it in that Nanny McPhee is a nanny and a bit magical. Basically the children are beyond wild. They have run out every other nanny from an agency. The dad must remarried to continue receiving his allowance from a rich aunt, and the child children don't want a step-mother. After all, they've heard the fairy tails and step-mothers are an evil breed.

It is a cute movie, and I'd sit through it again. I have not yet decided if it is a movie I will purchase or not. I am just shy of giving this movie four stars. So, I'll say a family fun 3 ½ stars.

CFR- Most
I'd say most children could watch this movie.
There is a scene where the dad is trying to protect a lady from the cruel “tricks” of his children. The lady mistakes his actions for passion and is quite thrilled about it. And of course, there are scenes of mischievous children doing potential dangerous things and saying rude or mean things. If it weren't for the children saying and doing these things, there would be no need for Nanny McPhee.
There is mild language a time or two but it is most difficult to catch.
Even with that, I still say it has a Child Friendly Rating of “Most”.