Cheaper by the Dozen (2003 film) find him. During the search, Tom indulges a hunch from Nora that Mark is trying to run back to the Bakers' old home, and eventually finds Mark on an Amtrak train departing from Evanston to Midland. Reuniting with the rest of their family, the Bakers begin to address their issues with each other. Tom ultimately steps down from his position at his alma mater with Shake. The film ends when Kate narrates that family becomes stronger and closer together. The film's director Shawn Levy makes a cameo as a reporter. A sequel, "Cheaper by the Dozen 2", was released in
Cheaper by the Dozen 2 film one of its rare positive reviews, awarding it 3/4 stars and stating "As I watched this sequel, a certain good feeling began to make itself known. Yes, the movie is unnecessary. However, it is unnecessary at a higher level of warmth and humor than the recent remake "Yours, Mine, and Ours"." Ebert also highly praised Alyson Stoner's performance, favorably comparing the then-twelve year old actress to Reese Witherspoon. Calling the overall film "bland", "Variety"'s Justin Chang agreed with Ebert on Stoner, calling her "an endearingly vulnerable standout" and deeming her subplot to be "the most engaging" in it. Chang