"Critics sniff at Ice Cube's movies, but they deliver just what his audiences want." Daniel Eagan FILM JOURNAL INTERNATIONAL "The strength of Ice Cube's performance is his willingness to show vulnerability. When he says he doesn't like kids, he means it. But when he cares, you feel it." Nancy Churnin DALLAS MORNING NEWS "Several of my grand kids were with me at a recent screening and loved the film. Some critics have panned the film, citing the kids were too cruel. I disagree." Vince Koehler ENTERTAINMENT SPECTRUM "Does a good job of capturing the aspect of child-parent and child-adult relationships. And although funny, the movie does touch on a few social issues." Damon C Williams PHILADELPHIA DAILY NEWS "Watching Ice Cube in Are We There Yet?, I developed a new admiration for him. He’s disarming and affable, and has a mischievous smile that let’s us know he’s having fun the whole time." Pete Croatto FILMCRITIC

"[Alternates] rocket-fueled slapstick with soft-piano sentiment....Then again, it's not every day you see Ice Cube, on a horse, charging after a train." Peter Canavese GROUCHO REVIEWS "Are We There Yet? is not a great film, but it’ll do. Remember, you can do a lot worse this month." Kevin Carr 7M PICTURES "Shows children behaving in ways that go right to the edge of absolute evil, and who are snotty and charmless besides. At the same time, the movie demands that we should feel warm toward those kids after all." Mick LaSalle SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE "These kids are going after perfectly innocent nice adults. They are some of the nastiest children in movie history." Richard Roeper, EBERT & ROEPER "You think, Hey, these kids have put Nick through every conceivable indignity except kicking him in the groin! Then, sure enough, one of them kicks Nick in the groin." -- Phil Villarreal, ARIZONA DAILY STAR

The Inside Story

"Ice Cube is perfectly cast as the curmudgeonly chaperone of two excessively annoying brats who are determined to undermine his attempts to woo their mother." NINEMSN REVIEWS

Have you ever felt like you're the last salmon left, the only one heading up stream? Desperately swimming against the tide. And for what? That's how I feel. "Are We There Yet?" starring the former 'gangsta' of rap [turned pretty entertaining actor] Ice Cube seemed pretty funny to me and, the good friend who accompanied me to the public screening certainly thought so too. So, why was I feeling a little jaded? It appears that in the whole of Australia I'm the only one who thinks so. Searching the media files for quality reviews was a near fruitless exercise. I know I often go against the tide, but gee, after reading so many bad reviews, all condeming what I thought was pretty fair entertainment, could I be wrong? The self doubt was creeping in. Come on, everyone had big smiles on their faces after the film and it appeared as though [judging by the hearty laughter I heard throughout the screening] those watching "Are We There Yet?" thought it was pretty funny too. Had I finally cracked. What is the big problem? Maybe the problem is me I thought. Maybe I needed some professional help. That's it, it's just me. I've finally cracked under the strain and I've lost a few marbles. It had to happen sometime. It's probably the stress of the job or could it be all those years of living the high life? Too much booze will do it they say. But hang on, I haven't had a drink since 1986. No that can't be it. What is happening to me I thought. They say a creative genius [someone with a tutelary spirit] is only a fraction away from going over the top. Creative, arty-farty people are always mentally balanced on a knife edge, teetering between bliss and depression. That's it! That's why I've been crying at all those soppy feel good films lately. Hey that's it. Everyone knows us tough, bronzed aussie males don't cry. But still I wasn't convinced. Time to get some professional help. And the answer to all my problems was right in front of me On my white board. Why hadn't I thought of it before. Words on my whiteboard that could never be erased [due to the fact that I'd used a permanent marker pen instead of an erasable one], When in doubt, give Marty King a shout. But hang on. What would Marty know. I'm the one stuck dating single mums. Those attractive 'out on the towners' looking for 'Mr Goodbar' while at home a tribe of brats are driving the poor old babysitter to near suicide. Come on, what would Marty know. He's ten times better looking than me, has plent of money, a waterfront apartment in Holdfast Shores [yes he's moved out of his Marina appartment at North Haven] , a share portfolio, drives a two door Italian sportscar and only dates single women. By single, Marty means, never married. Marty does not date 'single again' women, ie the divorced kind. Last time I'd seen Marty was at Marino Rocks Cafe` Restaurant. You may remember he'd walked out at the end of our lunch with a group of very attractive ladies who were celebrating their best friend Julia's upcoming wedding. Lucky for me my good friend and Marino Rocks Cafe` Restaurant owner Tiken picked up the bill that day for our business lunch. This time there was no way I'd get stuck for the bill because my Gold Movie Pass allows me free entry. "Feel like an icecream Dick?" he asked. Boy I hate it when he calls me Dick! "Yeh, why not", I replied. "Grab me a Peppermint Magnum while you there Dick", he answered. "I'm tied up at the moment." Standing in the line, which was moving at snails pace I thought to myself, "why is it taking so long to buy a couple of icecreams." Now I don't mind it when we're at a restaurant or cafe` but not a the bloody picture theatre. Marty had taken a shine to one of the young ladies working the Candy Bar. One of only two working on this particular night. I could only shake my head and wonder, "How does he do it?" I was in for a bigger shock after "Are We There Yet?" finished screening. "Well, what did you think? Come on. Be honest." What I heard, was no different from what I'd read in those reviews. "Black gangsta", Marty scoffed. "That sucka needs a good bitch slappin. He's broken two rules. 1) Never appear in a film with animals and children. 2) Never ever try and win over a single mum without first checking the kids out." He went on and on. If I wasn't depressed before, I was now. "And what's this big nigga doing calling children coachroaches. Doesn't he have any respect. Wasn't he a kid once." There was more. Lots more. But it was all too politically correct for me. Things like, "And tell me Dick, what sort of a bastard stoops so low as to try and get into a womans pants through her kids anyway!" What really raised his ire though was what I saw as a sweet romantic ending. "These filmmakers must think audiences today are idiots, Dick. What a load of crap. All together as a happy little family. That's totally crass by todays standards Dick." Oh there was more, as I said. "Family entertainment! They call that family entertainment?," Marty said adding "I don't find it funny seeing some kid kicking an adult in the nuts!" Marty was right. I had to agree with him. This film would have been funnier if it contained the usual stuff American filmmakers aim at us these days. "Are We There Yet?" would have been far more entertaining if it had contained a good fart segment or two, maybe some gratuous sex scenes involving scantily clad women or even a good dose of racism. I'd got it all wrong. I could see the error of my way and the one glaring fact I'd overlooked. You have to be politically correct these days if you ever want to make it with your fellow human beings. After all that I can't still help feeling that "Are We There Yet?" was pretty damn funny. Even the second time round. Casting About "ARE WE THERE YET" stars .......
Ice Cube ["Boyz N the Hood", "Friday", "Next Friday", "Barbershop" and "XXX: State of the Union"]; Nia Long ["Boyz n the Hood", "Stigmata", "Big Momma's House" and "Alfie"]; Aleisha Allen ["The Best Man" and "The School Of Rock"]; Philip Daniel Bolden ["Mystery Men", "Little Nicky", "The Animal" and "Johnson Family Vacation"]; Jay Mohr ["200 Cigarettes", "Go", "Pay It Forward", "Speaking Of Sex" and "S1m0ne"]; M C Gainey ["Con Air", "Diary of a Sex Addict", "The Cooler", "Wonderland" and "Sideways"]; Tracy Morgan ["Half Baked", "30 Years To Life", "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" and "Head of State"]; Henry Simmons ["Above the Rim", "Let It Snow", "A Gentleman's Game" and "Taxi"] and Nichelle Nichols ["Star Trek The Movie 1-6", "Doctor, You've Got to Be Kidding", "The Supernaturals" and "Snow Dogs"] as Miss Maples. Crew Bytes "ARE WE THERE YET?" was .......
directed by Brian Levant ["Problem Child 2", "Beethoven", "Jingle All The Way", "It's a Dog's Life" and "Snow Dogs"]; screenplay writers include David N Weiss ["All Dogs Go to Heaven", "The Rugrats Movie", "Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius" and "Shrek 2"]; story by Steven Gary Banks ["Slugger"] and Claudia Grazioso ["Bring It On Again"]; costume design by Gersha Phillips ["Heart of My Heart", "Tart", "Narc", "Owning Mahowny" and "Walking Tall"]; production design by Stephen J Lineweaver ["This Boy's Life", "City Slickers II", "Junior", "How to Kill Your Neighbor's Dog", "Snow Dogs" and "The Girl Next Door"]; edited by Lawrence Jordan ["Assassins", "Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo", "Riding in Cars with Boys" and "Legally Blonde"]; cinematography by Thomas E Ackerman ["Frankenweenie", "Girls Just Want to Have Fun", "Jumanji", "Rat Race" and "Snow Dogs"]; original music by David Newman ["The War of the Roses", "Jingle All the Way", "Galaxy Quest", "102 Dalmations", "Ice Age", "How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days" and "The Cat in the Hat"] produced by Matt Alvarez ["Next Friday", "All About the Benjamins", "Barbershop" and "Friday After Next"], Dan Kolsrud ["Grumpy Old Men", "Se7en", "L A Confidential", "Bicentennial Man", "Daddy Day Care" and "Suddenly 30"] and Ice Cube ["Next Friday" and "Are We There Yet"]. What It's All About

"Much better than "Meet the Fockers", this family-friendly film uses virtually the same batch of vomit jokes, pee jokes, slapstick, chases and exploding cars." Jeffrey M Anderson SPLICEDWIRE

Nick Persons is black, single, owns his own business [a memorabilia shop] and has just taken delivery of his pride an joy, a brand new Lincoln SPV. Always on the lookout for the right woman, Nick spots Suzanne Kingston through the window of his shop. She's a fine lookin woman until Nick notice she comes with kids. As fate would decree, later that evening, while travelling home in a storm, he comes across Suzanne whose car has broken down. Against his better judgement he stops and assists her. They click and Nick offers to help her out taking her to and from work at her Event Management business ideally located across the road from his shop. Nick doesn't know what he's getting himself into. Suzanne has to attend an event she's managing in Vancouver, Canada, but at the last minute her ex-husband rings to say he can't have the kids while she is away. Nick offers to put them on the next available flight for her. It's the start of everything going wrong for Nick. He's about to meet her two kids, and are they a real handful. Lindsey and her brother Kevin don't want any man dating there mom. They are truly a single mans nightmare. When they deliberately miss both a flight and the train to Vancouver, the three set off in Nick's brand new Licoln on what will become a road trip to hell and back. The Verdict "I have to admit that "Are We There Yet?" is pretty funny. As long as you aren't the politically correct type. Sure the kids are fair brats but alls well that ends well and that's where this comedy is heading. Ice Cube is the perfect foil for the two kids Lindsey and her brother Kevin. It may be the road trip from hell, but many viewers will find it a good trip. Worth recommending." The Cast

Ice Cube Nia Long Aleisha Allen Philip Daniel Bolden Jay Mohr M C Gainey Tracy Morgan Nichelle Nichols Henry Simmons Ray Galletti Viv Leacock Casey Dubois J.B. McEown Nancy Robertson Tony Ali Deejay Jackson Reynard Howard Alistair Abell Ann Warn Pegg Frank C Turner Derek Lowe Sean Millington Shiraine Haas David Mackay Esme Lambert Jerry Hardin

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Nick Persons Suzanne Kingston Lindsey Kingston Kevin Kingston Marty Big Al Voice of Satchel Paige Miss Mable Carl Car Dealer Nick's Pal on the Street Shoplifter Shoplifter Lady Airport Cop Airport Security Guard Airport Security Guard Airport Screener Train Conductor Woman in Bathroom Amish Man Car Mechanic Frank Kingston Frank's Wife Drugstore Clerk Grandmother at Kids' Party Pharmacist/Clown

The Crew Directed by Brian Levant Story by Steven Gary Banks & Claudia Grazioso Screenplay by Steven Gary Banks/Claudia Grazioso/J David Stem/David N Weiss Produced by Matt Alvarez/Ice Cube/Dan Kolsrud Original Music by David Newman Cinematography by Thomas E Ackerman Film Editing by Lawrence Jordan Casting by Susan Taylor Brouse/Lynne Carrow/Jeanne McCarthy Production Design by Stephen J Lineweaver Art Direction by Kelvin Humenny Costume Design by Gersha Phillips Run Time 95 minutes Rated PG [AUST] Copyright ©2005 - Columbia Film Industries - All Rights Reserved Copyright Protected © 2005 - Impact Internet Services - All Rights Reserved