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.
154 Reviews
Such an underrated movie
fayterpou4 January 2020
Away from Home Alone
tedg1 March 2005
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.
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.
Has its moments but it is very unfunny overall
TheLittleSongbird10 November 2010
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
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
Below average...
Thanos_Alfie3 January 2022
"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.
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.
Enjoyable!
g-bodyl6 December 2007
This film was a hilarious piece of work. In this film, Nick Persons played by Ice Cube falls in love with a woman. Everybody he knows tells him that it is not worth it. Persons does not believe them... until he meets her two kids. Persons and the kids end up having many crazy adventures. Ice Cube and the two children were good at their parts, there were some funny jokes, and the plot line was simple, but great. The three actors have great chemistry and they worked well with each other. The screenplay was kind of lame, but everything makes up for it. I recommend this movie for everybody. It's rated PG for language. I give this film a 8/10.
If the kids laugh, it's funny.
lea-124 January 2005
Are We There Yet? is exactly what it was meant to be, a film for the family. It has moments of comedy as well as moments of sincere heart-string tugs. It's a movie about a guy who has dedicated himself to himself. He is one of those guys who is all about the "blingage". He figures if he can dazzle the ladies with flash then he doesn't have to worry about getting tangled up in love. It's also a movie about a woman divorced from a husband who has quite thoroughly moved on with his life and the kids left behind that she is trying to protect. It's also about the kids who really want their life back like it used to be and haven't quite understood what has happened. Finally, it's a movie about how these people who have so little in common with each other come together and learn to understand, like and appreciate each other for who they are. The whole movie is a metaphor with some very impossible but very funny moments representing the struggles people go through to find the inner beauty in each other.
It is unfortunate that jaded movie critics are paid to go to early morning screenings in a room full of jaded movie critics to watch a family comedy and then deem it a "bad movie". I prefer to listen to the voices of the REAL movie critics, the people who paid their hard-earned money to go see the movie. If they laugh, it's funny. I've been to two sold-out screenings of this movie in theatres full of parents with small children, groups of young and older teenagers and groups of adults. At both screenings there was much laughter and even applause at the end. One of the best parts, is when you hear a small voice point out the obvious to the other people in the darkened theatre, that the kids are responsible for the results of their behavior. Congratulations to that child's parents for successful instruction in Right vs. Wrong.
I have also read some other user comments and critic's comments that accuse this movie of being a racial stereotype. I seriously doubt that Ice Cube would produce and star in a movie that he felt was racist and I feel confident that all of the actors in this movie were treated fairly regardless of race and/or gender. It's not so much a racial stereotype as it is a personality stereotype - Nick Persons is a 'playa', formerly known as a 'ladies man', and he looks, dresses and acts the part, as have the ladies men of every generation. The divorced mother with two kids, well, I bet there's one in your neighborhood. One truck driver is of the older, hard-core family values type with a southern accent played by an actor from the southern United States and another is a gung-ho Canadian out to help someone in need, played to hilarious perfection by a Canadian. Stereotypes? Maybe, so what? I have also read some incredibly cruel comments by people directed at the child actors. If their performance as the confused and desperate 'demon spawn' made you feel so strongly that you must write paragraph after paragraph saying so, then I guess that makes them pretty good at their job doesn't it? It also makes the ugly comments you've made about the actors pretty wrong and disgusting.
Finally, parents are not being dragged to this movie by their children. They willingly drive them, buy the tickets for them, and then they sit down and watch and laugh with them. It's not the #1 opening movie for nothing. There are plenty of topics for later discussion contained in this film and parents can use those opportunities as they see fit. Some parents may be reluctant to take their kids to see this movie because of Ice Cube's reputation as a 'gangsta rapper'. Well folks, I'm glad to say that there is none of that in this film. He's a dad with kids ranging in age from 4 to 18 and he made this movie so that when his little children ask or are asked what their daddy does for a living they have something they can show their friends. Good on ya Cube!
It is unfortunate that jaded movie critics are paid to go to early morning screenings in a room full of jaded movie critics to watch a family comedy and then deem it a "bad movie". I prefer to listen to the voices of the REAL movie critics, the people who paid their hard-earned money to go see the movie. If they laugh, it's funny. I've been to two sold-out screenings of this movie in theatres full of parents with small children, groups of young and older teenagers and groups of adults. At both screenings there was much laughter and even applause at the end. One of the best parts, is when you hear a small voice point out the obvious to the other people in the darkened theatre, that the kids are responsible for the results of their behavior. Congratulations to that child's parents for successful instruction in Right vs. Wrong.
I have also read some other user comments and critic's comments that accuse this movie of being a racial stereotype. I seriously doubt that Ice Cube would produce and star in a movie that he felt was racist and I feel confident that all of the actors in this movie were treated fairly regardless of race and/or gender. It's not so much a racial stereotype as it is a personality stereotype - Nick Persons is a 'playa', formerly known as a 'ladies man', and he looks, dresses and acts the part, as have the ladies men of every generation. The divorced mother with two kids, well, I bet there's one in your neighborhood. One truck driver is of the older, hard-core family values type with a southern accent played by an actor from the southern United States and another is a gung-ho Canadian out to help someone in need, played to hilarious perfection by a Canadian. Stereotypes? Maybe, so what? I have also read some incredibly cruel comments by people directed at the child actors. If their performance as the confused and desperate 'demon spawn' made you feel so strongly that you must write paragraph after paragraph saying so, then I guess that makes them pretty good at their job doesn't it? It also makes the ugly comments you've made about the actors pretty wrong and disgusting.
Finally, parents are not being dragged to this movie by their children. They willingly drive them, buy the tickets for them, and then they sit down and watch and laugh with them. It's not the #1 opening movie for nothing. There are plenty of topics for later discussion contained in this film and parents can use those opportunities as they see fit. Some parents may be reluctant to take their kids to see this movie because of Ice Cube's reputation as a 'gangsta rapper'. Well folks, I'm glad to say that there is none of that in this film. He's a dad with kids ranging in age from 4 to 18 and he made this movie so that when his little children ask or are asked what their daddy does for a living they have something they can show their friends. Good on ya Cube!
It is Ice Cube at his funniest..
DarkVulcan2930 January 2005
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.
An enjoyable, cartoonish comedy
BrandtSponseller3 June 2005
The following didn't make a huge difference, but it did raise my rating a bit more than one point. I rented this disc from Netflix. I was enjoying it moderately, but thought it had enough problems to merit a low 7, or a "C". It got to the 50-minute point and had a glitch. I had to exchange it. I got the replacement a few days later and felt compelled to re-watch the first 50-minutes, to get back into the "groove" of the film--especially knowing that I wanted to review it. Oddly for such a short time span, I enjoyed it a lot more on my second viewing, feeling that it was a solid 8, where it remained for the rest of the film.
Are We There Yet? is primarily aimed at a youth market--from about 5 or 6 years old to mid-teens, approximately the ages of the two child stars of the film. It's cartoonish and unrealistic. The humor is mostly "innocent", although the expected bodily function humor is present. It is somewhat predictable and sentimental. If those qualities turn you off and you're not going to show the film to kids, you should probably stay away from Are We There Yet? I happen to like a lot of kids films. I like "cartoonish". The bodily function humor stuff still works for me--although I'm middle-aged, I never got to the point where I was that concerned with seeming "mature", and I don't suspect that I ever will. I don't care if a film is realistic or not. I don't mind predictability or sentimentality. I laughed out loud at least once every few minutes and I smiled a lot otherwise. There are a lot of "fun" scenarios, as this is basically what I call a "Going to Hell in a handbasket" or just "Hell handbasket" film (see my review for The Out-of-Towners, 1970), and that is one of my favorite subgenres. If you have tastes at all similar to mine, or your kids do, there's a good chance this film will be enjoyed.
The story brings together two sets of characters (remember that a set can have one or even no members, in which case I guess we could say that the story brings together as many sets of characters as we like, but that's too odd a tangent for such a short review). On the one hand, we have Nick Persons (Ice Cube), a player (roughly meaning a serial dater who has no inclinations towards commitment) who runs a successful but smallish sports collectibles store in Oregon. On the other, Suzanne Kingston (Nia Long), a divorcée who just opened the party planning store across the street. Nick falls for her as soon as he sees her, but she has two kids, Lindsey (Aleisha Allan) and Kevin (Philip Bolden), and Nick hates kids. At the same time, Lindsey and Kevin hate the idea of anyone but their estranged father being with their mother, and they do their best to sabotage any potential suitor. The fates, or at least scriptwriting conveniences, bring Nick and Suzanne together under adverse circumstances, and they strike up a friendship, which Nick hopes will turn into more. Suzanne senses his kid-aversion, so she keeps him at a distance. However, Suzanne gets in a bind when she has to travel to Vancouver and no one can take care of her kids, so Nick is recruited to bring them to Vancouver. Chaos, or gradually going to hell in a handbasket, ensues.
Although Are We There Yet? is essentially, or eventually, a "message" film, director Brian Levant is much more concerned--and rightfully so--with making a wildly cartoonish comedy. Remember that Levant is the guy who brought us both Flintstones movies (1994 and 2000), as well as fare like Snow Dogs (2002), Jingle All the Way (1996), and the earlier Beethoven (1992) and Problem Child 2 (1991). I liked all of those films, too, and they're all also cartoonish to an extent. Part of the problem for some folks might be that here, the cartoonish aspects are "tempered" with a mood almost approaching realism. But it would be a severe mistake to expect Are We There Yet? to be believable with respect to the real world. That's not the aim of the film. This could easily be a Disney film, and it has many of the fantastical or unrealistic elements that you'd expect from that style of film-making.
In addition to his skill with cartoonish comedy, Levant is a fine technician. There is a lot of attractive cinematography in Are We There Yet?, although nothing where the style is overbearing to the story. All of the effects-work, including a well-executed CGI personification of Nick's conscience in the form of a Satchel Paige bobble-head, and the fine stuntwork are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the film. Levant is skilled at directing his cast, who all turn in performances that were more than acceptable to me, and he also does a great job with blocking fairly complex action sequences. The relatively minor score/songs are even well incorporated and add to the story.
To me, Are We There Yet? seems like a case of a viewer going in (or not) with proper expectations. If you don't like the approaches and content that I've mentioned abovesuch as cartoonishness, CGI-fueled talking bobble-heads, bodily function humor, and predictability for experienced cinephiles--you should exercise good judgment and not bother with the film. If you or your kids enjoy this style of film, you'll certainly find enough here to make Are We There Yet? worthwhile, and it's a great way to introduce kids to the "Hell handbasket" genre. In other words, like always, you should exercise good sense. If you have very particular tastes, if you have a somewhat limited set of criteria for good film-making (such as "good films must be realistic"), don't expect to enjoy every film.
Are We There Yet? is primarily aimed at a youth market--from about 5 or 6 years old to mid-teens, approximately the ages of the two child stars of the film. It's cartoonish and unrealistic. The humor is mostly "innocent", although the expected bodily function humor is present. It is somewhat predictable and sentimental. If those qualities turn you off and you're not going to show the film to kids, you should probably stay away from Are We There Yet? I happen to like a lot of kids films. I like "cartoonish". The bodily function humor stuff still works for me--although I'm middle-aged, I never got to the point where I was that concerned with seeming "mature", and I don't suspect that I ever will. I don't care if a film is realistic or not. I don't mind predictability or sentimentality. I laughed out loud at least once every few minutes and I smiled a lot otherwise. There are a lot of "fun" scenarios, as this is basically what I call a "Going to Hell in a handbasket" or just "Hell handbasket" film (see my review for The Out-of-Towners, 1970), and that is one of my favorite subgenres. If you have tastes at all similar to mine, or your kids do, there's a good chance this film will be enjoyed.
The story brings together two sets of characters (remember that a set can have one or even no members, in which case I guess we could say that the story brings together as many sets of characters as we like, but that's too odd a tangent for such a short review). On the one hand, we have Nick Persons (Ice Cube), a player (roughly meaning a serial dater who has no inclinations towards commitment) who runs a successful but smallish sports collectibles store in Oregon. On the other, Suzanne Kingston (Nia Long), a divorcée who just opened the party planning store across the street. Nick falls for her as soon as he sees her, but she has two kids, Lindsey (Aleisha Allan) and Kevin (Philip Bolden), and Nick hates kids. At the same time, Lindsey and Kevin hate the idea of anyone but their estranged father being with their mother, and they do their best to sabotage any potential suitor. The fates, or at least scriptwriting conveniences, bring Nick and Suzanne together under adverse circumstances, and they strike up a friendship, which Nick hopes will turn into more. Suzanne senses his kid-aversion, so she keeps him at a distance. However, Suzanne gets in a bind when she has to travel to Vancouver and no one can take care of her kids, so Nick is recruited to bring them to Vancouver. Chaos, or gradually going to hell in a handbasket, ensues.
Although Are We There Yet? is essentially, or eventually, a "message" film, director Brian Levant is much more concerned--and rightfully so--with making a wildly cartoonish comedy. Remember that Levant is the guy who brought us both Flintstones movies (1994 and 2000), as well as fare like Snow Dogs (2002), Jingle All the Way (1996), and the earlier Beethoven (1992) and Problem Child 2 (1991). I liked all of those films, too, and they're all also cartoonish to an extent. Part of the problem for some folks might be that here, the cartoonish aspects are "tempered" with a mood almost approaching realism. But it would be a severe mistake to expect Are We There Yet? to be believable with respect to the real world. That's not the aim of the film. This could easily be a Disney film, and it has many of the fantastical or unrealistic elements that you'd expect from that style of film-making.
In addition to his skill with cartoonish comedy, Levant is a fine technician. There is a lot of attractive cinematography in Are We There Yet?, although nothing where the style is overbearing to the story. All of the effects-work, including a well-executed CGI personification of Nick's conscience in the form of a Satchel Paige bobble-head, and the fine stuntwork are seamlessly integrated into the fabric of the film. Levant is skilled at directing his cast, who all turn in performances that were more than acceptable to me, and he also does a great job with blocking fairly complex action sequences. The relatively minor score/songs are even well incorporated and add to the story.
To me, Are We There Yet? seems like a case of a viewer going in (or not) with proper expectations. If you don't like the approaches and content that I've mentioned abovesuch as cartoonishness, CGI-fueled talking bobble-heads, bodily function humor, and predictability for experienced cinephiles--you should exercise good judgment and not bother with the film. If you or your kids enjoy this style of film, you'll certainly find enough here to make Are We There Yet? worthwhile, and it's a great way to introduce kids to the "Hell handbasket" genre. In other words, like always, you should exercise good sense. If you have very particular tastes, if you have a somewhat limited set of criteria for good film-making (such as "good films must be realistic"), don't expect to enjoy every film.
Ice Cube with Annoying Kids on a Road trip.
milesrob-17260125 January 2020
Funny, Hilarious movie with Ice Cube. He was driving in a Lincoln car with a Baseball bobble head and two kids He had to watch and Look over to See Their Dad. the Boy and that Girl was Driving him Absolutely nuts He gets his car damaged and wrecked and all the other Crazy moments that happened in the Movie was so Funny and Hilarious!
and I Even Laughed So Hard at the Part when the Boy had to pee and also Ice cube told those Kids No Shoplifters. man Ice Cube is still a great rapper and being him. what a movie for 2005..
and I Even Laughed So Hard at the Part when the Boy had to pee and also Ice cube told those Kids No Shoplifters. man Ice Cube is still a great rapper and being him. what a movie for 2005..
Just for the Kids
christian12329 May 2005
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
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
Are we DONE yet?
christygoodman1-122 January 2005
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.
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.
How does something like this get approved for production.
james_kelly54723 May 2005
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.
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.
A reason to be cruel to children
dbborroughs5 February 2005
The story of a man who falls so in love with a woman that he willingly takes her little monsters, er, children on a road trip is actually pretty good. The cast for the most part is quite good and the a script, while run of the mill is funny at times.
The problem is that the children that Ice Cube has elected to go traveling with are so rotten that you even the most anti child abuse person would slug them. They are awful. I understand that they are waiting for their dad to come and get back with their divorced mom but the lengths they go to insure no man gets near mom border on homicidal. Its over done and not funny and make them out to be hateful. I disliked them so much that I couldn't really enjoy the rest of the film.(No man loves a woman so much that he wouldn't have left them on the side of the road) If you can get past the monstrous children you'll like the film, other wise stay away
The problem is that the children that Ice Cube has elected to go traveling with are so rotten that you even the most anti child abuse person would slug them. They are awful. I understand that they are waiting for their dad to come and get back with their divorced mom but the lengths they go to insure no man gets near mom border on homicidal. Its over done and not funny and make them out to be hateful. I disliked them so much that I couldn't really enjoy the rest of the film.(No man loves a woman so much that he wouldn't have left them on the side of the road) If you can get past the monstrous children you'll like the film, other wise stay away
They tried to turn this "Westside" connection into a family man?
raysond21 January 2005
The year 2005 has already started out with some bad turkeys to begin the flock of one of the worst family films of the year. And the movie which is basically a children's vehicle for rapper/actor/producer Ice Cube who is starring in "Are We There Yet?" is not worth the ride nor the price of admission. Too bad for Ice Cube though. He is a winning presence with an appealing deadpan comic shtick in the "Friday",and "Barbershop" movies as well as here,but he is hampered by the subpar work of the writers who are totally responsible for this mayhem of family dysfunctional values. Here he is not only muggin the camera at its worst,it is also the most pathetic display of sympathy by a actor in recent months. Here is what the producers did here. First they bring on two of the stars from the first original "Friday" movie(Ice Cube and a suddenly aged Nia Long),and put them in a film that is supposed to be family oriented material,since the film uses every cliché from several films to bring this to the point of ridiculous mayhem. From there,they bring on two of the most misbehaving,obnoxious kids ever to sully the screen,exhibiting misbehavior to such an extreme that it goes beyond the point of normality which to say goes way beneath rude and disrespectful. Still it is a shame that Ice Cube chose this clunker of a vehicle for his first-ever family film. It could have been a whole lot better if Cube brought along his protégé from the first "Friday" film as one of the kids uncles,you know like Chris Tucker? It could have made this film a lot more entertaining.
Kids will love it. Adults will suffer....greatly!
guyfromjerzee30 January 2005
Yes, I hated this movie. But what can I say in my defense? It's a family film! Its core audience is the 5- 12 crowd, and let's face facts: kids will laugh at anything! That's exactly why I've never been a big fan of family films. I'm always bound to experience the predictable quotient of gags that involve vomit, farts and kicks in the groin - all of which are in this movie. Helen Keller can see the punchlines coming a mile away. Ice Cube seems thoroughly embarrassed to be a part of this movie. I'm sure he took on the project to hopefully broaden his demographic (never having done a PG film before). The kids, like most actors their age, constantly overact. Their nonstop bickering makes you feel Ice Cube's pain of having to escort them. Cube ends up getting into every implausible disaster you can possibly imagine. It would help if the gags had even a shred of credibility. Not to mention, every time something embarrassing and disastrous happens to Cube's character, the kids laugh like hyenas, making the gags mean-spirited as well as unfunny. The only moment I remember laughing is when the kids try to drive off in Cube's minivan. He chases after them and tries to climb inside through the sunroof. The kids crash into a giant statue of a lumberjack, holding an axe. The axe then falls down and nails Cube right in his groin. Another predictable gag, but after long periods of not laughing, I had to relieve myself in some fashion. And like in all these movies, there's a schmaltzy conclusion that's supposed to deliver a "message." When I left the theater, I saw this one mother who was so fed up with her bratty son that she picked him up and spanked him, yelling out obscenities. Obviously, this message of accepting kids for who they are, no matter how bratty they get, didn't sink through her head. So why do these films even bother? When you have a movie as detached from reality as "Are We There Yet?" it's hard to deliver a message to its audience that will linger with them.
one word... Horrible
bosscain23 January 2005
Saying this movie was bad just wouldn't do it justice, since it was way way waaaaaay beyond bad.This movie was horrible, terrible and just plain stunk. Bad actors is one thing, but when you combine bad actors with a bad script and bad direction, it just totally flops and is bound to sink in its first week out. Not only was this movie horribly bad, but it was irritating. This is what happens when you let kids go without discipline, they become unruly, obnoxious, sassy brats that have no sense of respect and order. I remember when I was a child if I stepped out of line once my dad would give me a taste of his belt and I learned real quick what it meant to behave and have respect for your parents and elders.No wonder this country(USA) is in the sad sorry shape that it is today. I agree with what the bobble-head guy said about sending them off to military school, they sure needed it.
Real laughs from clean comedy and a cute story line
srmtn121 August 2005
What is up with the low ratings? This movie had us laughing all the way through it! Clean, somewhat predictable but in a fresh way. These kids did great in the movie; we enjoyed it a lot! Could easily lend itself to a sequel and another "road trip" kind of scenario. I see it as engaging and charming as "Home Alone" was so many years ago. I did think the mother's reaction at the end was a little extreme and that could have gone differently, but I didn't expect an Oscar-winning storyline with this fun, punchy, movie. I guess if there had been more swearing, sex, and violence it would have caught on better; seems to be where our culture likes to go these days. I say kudos to the writers and actors...you done good with this one and guess what...we're going to watch it again today!
Hilarious like the Home Alone movies.
husnain_057 December 2005
Nick Persons (Ice Cube)is on fine comic form as a rash playboy bachelor who offers to drive his friend Suzanne Kingston (Nia Long's)kids Lindsey King (Aleisha Allen) and Kevin (Philip Daniel Bolden)across country on New years Eve - not knowing that they are very determined to make his life such a misery.
This film has a good title that goes a lot with the film and the film was meant to be - A comedy for all the family.After I watched Home Alone,Home Alone 2 I thought that there will be nothing as good as there films but I was wrong because this film is hilarious like the Home Alone movies and I love watching this film because the acting was good as well as the storyline.
This film has a good title that goes a lot with the film and the film was meant to be - A comedy for all the family.After I watched Home Alone,Home Alone 2 I thought that there will be nothing as good as there films but I was wrong because this film is hilarious like the Home Alone movies and I love watching this film because the acting was good as well as the storyline.
3 out of 10. There are better ways to spend nine dollars.
db321 January 2005
It's a comedy based around a bachelor carrying two children on a road trip. The kids have an attitude. The film could be titled TRAINS, PLANES, and AUTOMOBILES but that title was already taken, And frankly I'd recommend you watch PT&A instead. ARE WE THERE YET contains numerous episodes not unlike a ROADRUNNER cartoon. But again ROADRUNNER is much better. The trouble is, the scenes and episodes in AWTY are disjointed and do not realistically lead to the next plot turning point, much less the movie's ultimate conclusion. Thus you must be willing to suspend your disbelief to a greater extent than the film justifies. There are a number of cute bits, but if you've seen the trailer, you've seen the bits. The film is so slow in overall pacing that it may qualify as the longest 5-reel movie I've ever watched. As I was squirming in my seat awaiting the exciting climax, I kept saying to myself ARE WE THERE YET? As far as I'm concerned, we still aren't.
A good family movie.
tjr6228 January 2005
I don't get it, this movie, while not an academy contender, was funny. That's it; plain and simple. I'm a 42 year-old male and according to my demographics I should have rated it about a 3. I'm not sure what message people are trying to send here (and I actually probably do know) but if you want to have an enjoyable afternoon or evening and you have kids, they, as well as you will enjoy it. As I don't care for IceT as rapper I think he's doing a lot of down to earth good roles. I applaud him for it too. He's a tremendously funny actor and I'll see in more of his movies.
Treat yourself to something good, see it; so it has some connotations from other movies, who cares? It's supposed to be funny, and it is.
I hope you look past the stereo-typing that is often done and see it. I was amazed as well as my 15 year-old daughter and her friend. We were laughing through the whole thing.
Treat yourself to something good, see it; so it has some connotations from other movies, who cares? It's supposed to be funny, and it is.
I hope you look past the stereo-typing that is often done and see it. I was amazed as well as my 15 year-old daughter and her friend. We were laughing through the whole thing.
Good Idea; Bad Execution
August199121 January 2005
First, you can take your kids to see this movie and you and they will laugh. The fun is mostly for kids but there are laughs for adults too. Make no mistake, we are not in Academy Award territory here.
The film's idea is so good that it makes up for many weaknesses in execution. It's a kid road trip - two kids with a guy who is not their Dad. But something doesn't work here and I suspect in part that it is the two child actors; they can't act. But something else seems wrong too. Is it the writers? The film starts with a guy's seduction by a cool chick's cleavage - then it's repeated.
As we drove home, I got the message that Ice Cube is a cool guy, the scene on the horse is funny but, "When are we getting home and what are we eating for dinner?" If your kids want to see this movie, then go. If not, you've missed nothing. But in the same breath, the movie's idea is good. So if you go, and as you watch, you can laugh and wonder why this is a good idea for a kid movie that just doesn't work.
The film's idea is so good that it makes up for many weaknesses in execution. It's a kid road trip - two kids with a guy who is not their Dad. But something doesn't work here and I suspect in part that it is the two child actors; they can't act. But something else seems wrong too. Is it the writers? The film starts with a guy's seduction by a cool chick's cleavage - then it's repeated.
As we drove home, I got the message that Ice Cube is a cool guy, the scene on the horse is funny but, "When are we getting home and what are we eating for dinner?" If your kids want to see this movie, then go. If not, you've missed nothing. But in the same breath, the movie's idea is good. So if you go, and as you watch, you can laugh and wonder why this is a good idea for a kid movie that just doesn't work.
Not a bad film...
wellthatswhatithinkanyway5 March 2005
STAR RATING:*****Unmissable****Very Good***Okay**You Could Go Out For A Meal Instead*Avoid At All Costs
Nick Persons (Ice Cube) is a man who runs a collectibles shop and seems to be on some kind of permanent LSD trip as he has a tacky car accessory that,for some obscure reason,seems to talk to him!And now he's been saddled with another problem-he's just met and struck up a close relationship with the beautiful Suzanne (Nia Long) which gets so close she entrusts him to take her two children on a cross-country trip to meet their estranged father.However,the little brats are none too happy about the close relationship Nick is developing with their mother and ,like many suitors before him,they set out to make his life a living hell...
This isn't usually the sort of film I would give a second glance,but I was in a silly kind of mood and decided to engage my childish side a bit.And in a very immature kind of way,it was very funny in many parts of the film (that one little kid was funny enough just by being there,with his alien shaped head and bemused expression!)But it's the kind of film that adheres to the kind of slap-stick Home Alone style violence that would probably have many parents abjecting and probably would play a part in warping young minds.
Director Brian Levant doesn't have a very impressive track record behind him in terms of his involvement with kids movies,with such filmic abominations as Snow Dogs,Jingle All the Way and Problem Child 2 (read:Problem Child 2!) under his belt,but he appears to have hit his target audience on the head with this.In the lead role,Cube has moved his film career on,but the script finds it hard going to disassociate him from the ghetto culture he's pretty much ingrained in,with numerous references to his roots thrown up,such as when he tells one of the kids he could be shot just for liking a certain type of music or driving his car with 50 Cent music blasting out his loud-speakers,which doesn't make the content fit very well with the subject-matter of the kids film at hand.The two kid actors,it has to be said,are very good and have a good rapport with Cube.They are aiming to be,and are,just obnoxious enough to serve their function well...
Overall,Are We There Yet? is not particularly charming and not particularly inspired in any way,but,a bit like it's central characters predicament,doing something it feels inexperienced doing,it just about manages to hit the right nails on the head and surfaces as passable entertainment.**
Nick Persons (Ice Cube) is a man who runs a collectibles shop and seems to be on some kind of permanent LSD trip as he has a tacky car accessory that,for some obscure reason,seems to talk to him!And now he's been saddled with another problem-he's just met and struck up a close relationship with the beautiful Suzanne (Nia Long) which gets so close she entrusts him to take her two children on a cross-country trip to meet their estranged father.However,the little brats are none too happy about the close relationship Nick is developing with their mother and ,like many suitors before him,they set out to make his life a living hell...
This isn't usually the sort of film I would give a second glance,but I was in a silly kind of mood and decided to engage my childish side a bit.And in a very immature kind of way,it was very funny in many parts of the film (that one little kid was funny enough just by being there,with his alien shaped head and bemused expression!)But it's the kind of film that adheres to the kind of slap-stick Home Alone style violence that would probably have many parents abjecting and probably would play a part in warping young minds.
Director Brian Levant doesn't have a very impressive track record behind him in terms of his involvement with kids movies,with such filmic abominations as Snow Dogs,Jingle All the Way and Problem Child 2 (read:Problem Child 2!) under his belt,but he appears to have hit his target audience on the head with this.In the lead role,Cube has moved his film career on,but the script finds it hard going to disassociate him from the ghetto culture he's pretty much ingrained in,with numerous references to his roots thrown up,such as when he tells one of the kids he could be shot just for liking a certain type of music or driving his car with 50 Cent music blasting out his loud-speakers,which doesn't make the content fit very well with the subject-matter of the kids film at hand.The two kid actors,it has to be said,are very good and have a good rapport with Cube.They are aiming to be,and are,just obnoxious enough to serve their function well...
Overall,Are We There Yet? is not particularly charming and not particularly inspired in any way,but,a bit like it's central characters predicament,doing something it feels inexperienced doing,it just about manages to hit the right nails on the head and surfaces as passable entertainment.**
Not an award winner...but very entertaining.
jeffdelisa28 January 2005
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.
This is Ice Cube at his best, in my opinion.
TheHonestCritic2 May 2020
"Are We There Yet?" (2005), I've seen a lot of Ice Cube's movies, and whenever he's included in the cast of a film he is fun to watch. This movie is no exception, I think it's Ice Cube's best performance. Everything else in this film is flawless as well. Perfect story, perfect acting, perfect sets/locations, perfect special effects, and a perfect soundtrack. Traveling is my all-time favorite hobby, I've been to all 48 contiguous United States. Being the avid traveler I am, I can appreciate a good road trip movie done right. This movie is much more than just a road trip movie, it's an exciting and funny story. It always keeps you excited and waiting for what happens next. The story is a great balance of comedy and excitement! As for the actors and actresses, they all put on stellar performances. But, the shining star is Ice Cube as Nick Persons. The two kids, Kevin and Lindsey, played by Philip Daniel Bolden and Aleisha Allen are funny and charming. They really add humor to Ice Cube's performance. Nia Long as Suzanne is a great love interest, and her and Ice Cube have great chemistry with each other on screen. The sets/locations are perfect and give the movie a decent atmosphere. All of the special effects are well done, and still hold up to this day. Finally, the soundtrack works for the tone of this film and ties it together at the end of the day. But, as most of you know, I absolutely hate hip-hop and rap music. However, this is a rare exception where I can give it a free pass. The soundtrack really helps to bring this movie to life, but I still have mixed feelings about it though. "Are We There Yet?" What a funny, yet exciting movie. I can watch this movie over and over again and never get tired of it. Of course, I give this movie 5 out of 5 stars on my scale, which equates to 10 out of 10 stars. If you're looking to get into Ice Cube and his movies but don't know where to start, then start here. This movie gives you everything he has to offer, and then some! If you have not seen this movie? What are you waiting for? The SUV is leaving!
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