User reviews

Long distance driving, constant headaches, groaning and claustrophobia. Then, that tedious question arises...Are we there yet? But in the new flick, Are we there yet?, that question takes a new meaning.

Through a series of worst-case scenarios from deer attacks to a train race on horseback, Nick Persons (Ice Cube, Barbershop) experiences it all.

Beginning a timid romance between Persons and Suzanne Kingston (Nia Long, Boiler Room), possible babysitters for her children while she's away becomes few and far between, leaving Persons, a child-hater as the only viable option. He must transport Kingston's two "angelic" children 350 miles from Oregon to Vancouver. They attempt to make it in 24 hours by plane, train and automobile.

Directed by Brian Levant, director of Snow Dogs (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) and Jingle All The Way (Arnold Schwarzenegger), he defines his love for making family-fun movies.

For what it was worth, the acting was decent. Ice Cube played a better role than I expected. Aleisha Allen (School of Rock) and Philip Bolden (Johnson Family Vacation) were well-cast. And the cherry on top of the acting was Jay Mohr (Pay It Forward, Jerry Maguire). The way the actors worked together accented the movie.

Cinematography in this movie was exactly what I expected. There were a few intriguing camera angles, better than I've seen from directors of Levant's credibility.

The rating was well chosen as PG. There was minor language and rude humor.

Noticing half of the theater filled with children ranging from five to twelve, and tons of parents, I'd definitely suggest staying away from this movie on a date. There were periodic jokes and entertaining scenes, but if you don't like "kiddy" movies, I would not encourage this.

Nick (Ice Cube) is a born "playah," who takes on a arduous task to convince divorced Suzanne (Nia Long) to go out with him. Since she's stuck working in Vancouver and misses her kids, he agrees to drive them up from Portland, but if he thinks her kids are going to let him mack on their mom without a fight, he has another thing coming.

The premise held some potential to be good but the film turned out to be average at best. The jokes are just too mean spirited to be funny and most of the funny jokes were used in the trailer. The jokes are mean spirited because the kids in the film are pretty vicious. They attack Nick because they don't want any guy getting close to their mom. They want their parents back together. I understand that the kids will hate Nick but some of the stuff they do to him is so over the top and unnecessary. I felt sorry for Ice Cube because he was pretty much killed from all the stuff that happened to him.

The acting is okay, nothing special. Ice Cube gives a good performance and he's a pretty good sport for letting all that stuff happen to him. Nia Long was just "meh", nothing special at all. She doesn't get a lot of screen time though. Aleisha Allen and Philip Bolden both give good performances as really annoying kids. The former was the worst of the two and I hope she doesn't pursue a singing career. Jay Mohr is in the movie for about ten minutes despite being mentioned in the previews.

Despite all this violence happening to Nick, the film is actually kind of dull. However, since the movie is only 90 minutes long, it isn't too much of a punishment to sit through. Brian Levant directs and he does an okay job. Usually, his family films bore and annoy me but this one is better than most of his movies. Another problem with the movie is that it's not very original. The opening scene is stolen from Home Alone and the entire film is full of clichés. As a family film, the kids should enjoy it while adults will most likely be asleep or annoyed. There were a few laughs just not enough for the film to expand its audience. Is Are we there yet? the worst movie of the year? No, out of all the films I have seen that {dis} honor would go to The Wedding Date. In the end, this is a nice rental for the kids to watch but everyone else should skip it. Rating 5/10

Sometimes we can be over critical of a movie and call it the worst EVER made. but this is one film that i couldn't be critical of enough.

it's a family film i guess but it's not even slightly funny on any level. the performances of all the cast is woeful, Ice Cube snarls and does his usual thing so i suppose he does fine, but the leading lady and children act like they have been plucked off the street. its embarrassingly bad at times, then again i guess the abysmal script doesn't help. C'mon who writes this rubbish. Fart gags, puking gags, and i need a pee gags. it really is terrible.

If someone suggests renting this out from the video store i'd run a mile. avoid at all costs this is TERRIBLE.

I knew this movie was going to be bad before I sat down to watch it, and yet I allowed myself to do so anyway. Still, I found myself completely unprepared for the intense levels of suckage that were about to flow from the screen and speakers, corrupting my senses. I won't elaborate on why this film was so bad, as everything I wanted to say about it has been covered with great skill in the previous comment. So instead I'll just use this space to insult the people who enjoyed the film by calling them drooling fools.

Also, I know they kids in the film were only acting, but if I saw them in real life, I would still slap them across the face with whatever I had to hand.

Don't even bother with this film unless you are missing both sight and hearing. But even then I wouldn't risk it, you might feel the awfulness slowly creeping into your brain.

This may not be an Academy Award winning movie, but it was entertaining the whole way through. It was light hearted, funny (with some slap-stick and occasional rude humor) and moving at times. I thought it was cleaver how Nick's conscience was portrayed through a Satchel Paige bobble-head. This movie appealed to all ages. There were some surprise guest appearances, namely Nichelle Nichols (Lt. Uhura from Star Trek) and Tracy Morgan as the voice of Satchel Paige. This movie was similar in style to Christmas With The Kranks only this one was actually funny and you care about the characters. If you are looking to be entertained and fun for the whole family ...then this movie is for you.

The more I study film ideas, the more I'm amazed at how some ideas continue to live.

Take the notion of humorous cruelty. Were the Stooges the first to build a franchise around this? In modern times, it is the "Home Alone" franchise where we are given an excuse for accepting the cruelties because the hurter is a clever but innocent child and the hurtees are stereotypical bad guys.

Here the idea tries a new incarnation. Lest there be any mistake about the source, the movie actually starts in the "old" Home Alone mode with our (anonymous) victim encountering tripwires that trigger child-made traps of household goods and toys.

Then it shifts into the new mode. In this edition, some of the tricks are intended and some are not. The victim is a new kind of shiftless: a black man actually trying to be "ghetto." The story is supposed to smoothly morph in a sort of "What About Bob" way from pain to rewarding relationship. The turning point is also stereotypical: the treasured black dad has abandoned his family and the beleaguered suitor is revealed to be someone to whom that also happened.

I think humor about race, especially racial stereotypes, is fair game. How better to puncture racism? But its got to be funny doesn't it?

This picture turns out to be what it starts to be about: a way of torturing a black dude who manages a slick appearance of the ghetto (we're talking about the guy who calls himself Ice Cube here, not his character) and tries to put himself where he doesn't belong. Poignant maybe, but neither funny nor endearing.

Ted's Evaluation -- 1 of 3: You can find something better to do with this part of your life.

It is always nice to see a thug rapper like Ice Cube to show his sensitive side. And he pretty much does in this warmhearted comedy. This is one of a few movies where he does not use the F word. Because he has kids of his own, and I believe he made this movie because, so he could watch it with them. The movie takes place the last week of Christmas. And carefree bachelor Nick Persons(Ice Cube) seems to have it all, a new van, manager of a sports memorabilia store. But he has one fault he hates kids. The site of any kids coming in his direction, makes him feel like growling. Until he meets divorcée Suzanne(Nia Long) with two kids. There friendship continues to grow. Then Suzanne has to go to a New Years Eve party. Nick offers to take her kids to the party. But the kids really don't like him, and they are gonna make the trip as bumpy has they can. This was funnier then Christmas With The Kranks. It was something for the whole family.

I've been made fun of for enjoying Are We There Yet which is unfortunate! Despite the flaws this movie has it warms my heart. Ice Cube is great through out and so are the kids. Not for everyone but I love this movie the way it is! Adventure stories are great to me even the unorthodox ones at least occasionally.

Just because there is nothing being blown up to massive proportions; no violence with loads and loads of blood; no swearing !!!

Lighten up folks, its just a movie that you can actually take kids to see. A movie that will actually have the kids laughing.

if this is the worse that you can do in a movie, welll you have not done that bad..

This movie has a message that is good!! This movie is silly and kids will love it, because it is geared to them.

So all of you stuffy, nose up your arses who probably take life wayyyyy toooo seriously, RELAX and enjoy!! You don't have to love it, but it's not a bad way to spend some time.

After you can go back to watching your gory, blow em up movies!!!!

In the meantime !!!!!!!! Stop your whining and don't take this movie so seriously..

Sorry, i just literally came back from the cinema and felt that i had to warn everyone about this film. I love family films as much as the next person, but at least those that are actually funny and don't make you want to walk out of the theatre in the first scene. Don't bother wasting your money. go and rent home alone again! I hated everything about the movie. i was actually surprised that some people were laughing gin the cinema, but maybe i've lost my sense of humour...who knows. But one thing is for sure, you can go and see it. If your disappointed then i was right all along, but if you like it....shame on you....i'm right anyway... Please...don't waste your time

This movie is so boring, I fall asleep while watching it. I can't stand those Kids talking back and acting like a big mama, oh common guys do you want your kids talking like that to you and other older people without any respecting? well I think you guy should pick another movie better for your kids to learn but not this one I'm be honest I read someone said this movie is funny for kids? well I think he should check with his problem, no wonder nowadays kids learn things so quick and bad especially talking back and being rude to others, why they become like that parents? because what they watch and what they learn, they learn quickly and please don't give me wrong that it is not smart. Somebody thinks the way they talk like that it means they are smart but it is not. Well you should not waste your time and money on this movie, boring and rude kids

There is some nice scenery, the soundtrack is slightly decent and Ice Cube tries hard to give his character some credibility. The problem is Are We There Yet, apart from the odd chuckle, isn't really that funny. The script is incredibly clunky, and the story was too predictable and the characters too clichéd to make the film likable and credible. Aside from Ice Cube the other acting is either forgettable or irritating. The direction is not very good, and the pacing is uneven throughout.

Overall, Are We There Yet does have its moments, but to be honest it isn't particularly good. Worst family film? No, I don't think so. But best? Not by a longshot. 3/10 Bethany Cox

If your looking for a movie to make your mind work, this isn't it. This is a great non thinking movie that can be enjoyed by the family. I don't think kids have to associate with the kids in this movie, it's more they see how the kids are bad. I'm a big Cube fan so it was a must to buy when it came out. We still watch it and the kids wanna watch it. The first time my kids watched it, they were telling me how bad the kids were and that Cube (not knowing his name, just "that guy") was helping them out and they were being mean to him.

Yes the deer part was a bit fake, but do we need more. The point was toward the boy and Cube bonding. By showing Cube step up and act like a father figure, trying to get the boy to not be afraid and feed the deer was much more an impact then Cube fighting a fake deer.

Overall I would say Rent it, watch it, and enjoy it.

I'm not a movie snob. I swear. If a movie succeeds in what it is attempting, that's fine—even if it's just attempting to be a pleasant, cliché-ridden diversion for kids.

But this movie doesn't work on any level. Ice Cube as Nick is the best thing in this movie, and he is barely tolerable. The kids' mom is a nonentity. The two kids either can't act or were at the mercy of a wretched director. Having seen the little girl who played Lindsey, Aleisha Allen, in the infinitely better School of Rock, I suspect it is the latter.

The basic plot is workable, if unoriginal. Divorced mom and dad, kids want them to get back together, new potential boyfriend for the mom, and a road trip thrown in for good measure. Played right, it would have been sweet and funny. In this movie, it's stupid and painful. As a previous reviewer mentioned, by the time the kids find out the truth about their dad, they've spent so much of the movie being mean-spirited little brats that it's hard to feel bad for them. These over-the-top kid-on-adult violent antics worked in Home Alone (which was liberally, ahem, borrowed from) because there the kid was basically good, and the "enemies" were bad guys. In Are We There Yet?, the adult victim is essentially a nice guy, and the kids—not so much.

The emotional switches of this movie don't ring true, either. Nick goes from (understandably) severely NOT liking these kids to loving them in the blink of an eye. Same weird switch at the end for the mom, as she goes from liking Nick to mistrusting him to loving him in the space of a few minutes.

A few more things (yes, I'm being nitpicky, but this movie deserves it ... plus, it's the only joy I'll get out of watching the darn thing): when Lindsey sings, the plot device to get her on stage is so incredibly transparent and tacked-on that you can see a bunch of guys sitting around a table going, "Hey, Aleisha Allen can sing. Can we write a scene into this movie where she sings?" Also, logically, I have to ask myself, WHERE DID THE BACKUP MUSIC COME FROM??? One more question. Why is it that the CGI for the Satchel Paige bobblehead was so good—that and Ice Cube are why I gave this movie even two stars—and yet the the attack deer looks like a piñata? If, after reading this review, you still decide to see the movie—well, don't blame me if you want to rip out your own eyeballs before it's half over. You've been warned.

I have to go lie down now.

I used to be a big Ice Cube fan until this movie came out. I liked him in All About the Benjamins, and loved his music up until now. I have never written on IMDb before, but decided to do so i could warn you about this movie. This kind of plot has been done many times before. They somehow manage to get in ridiculous situations. And try to fit in jokes, but it just ends up being corny and dumb, not funny like they tried so hard to do. It was very obvious that the jokes were forced. The acting is horrible, they show no real emotion. the kids are beyond spoiled, if i was their mother (or Ice Cube) i would definitely be teaching them a thing or two about respect. and there is no way they could have pulled the stunts they did. Avoid this movie at all costs! 0/10

Its actually funny and not boring at all! A pleasant movie to watch... nice for kids! I can't understand why people are being so harsh with it...

It is rare thing now a days to see movies that portray blacks in a positive light. Most of the time we have to be rappers, players , or gangsters to get into the Hollywood scene. But when a gem like this comes our way it should be celebrated. Are We there Yet is probably not the greatest movie of all time but it offers a few tender moments and some slapstick like situations which I feel could but this movie amongst other road trip films. It is much better than the Johnson Family Vacation. I disagree with those who think the children where too overacting or terribly nasty children. But I feel this offers and opportunity for parents especially black parents to see how issues such as divorce and single parent dating affects young people. I think as the situation become so extreme we get to see how Ice Cube's character is put to the test to become the perfect mentor and friend to the children. So in conclusion give this movie a shot!! Home Alone it is not but it could be the start of something great for our families. I give it a 6.5 of 10.

"Are We There Yet?" is a Comedy - Family movie in which we watch Nick trying to impress his girlfriend by taking her two children on a road trip. What sounds easy is not always and Nick will understand it very soon.

Since I had already watched the second movie "Are We Done Yet?" of 2007 before watching this one I knew what to expect so, I had low expectations. Despite that, I did not enjoy it because it was not interesting and it contained many boring scenes. The plot did not make any sense at some points and the direction which was made by Brian Levant was not the best and he did not succeed on creating a familiar feeling in order to relate to his main characters. The interpretations of the cast followed the same pattern as the direction without any surprises or something worth mentioning. In conclusion, I have to say that "Are We There Yet?" is a below the average comedy movie and I do not recommend anyone to watch it.