Rating: 
Summary: I was very disappointed in this movie.
Review: I'm sure that this review won't be popular, but I feel like it has to be said: I was sorry I paid to see this movie. Going in, I was excited to see it--I thought that, with so many talented actors, it really had to be good. I couldn't believe the irresponsibility of the characters, though. The parents have twelve kids, and I was expecting to find that some of the kids were adopted, but no. In this extremely overpopulated world, each parent had enough kids to replace himself/herself six times. The kids apparently follow their parents' example in irresponsibility, each looking out for his/her own interests and sabotaging anyone who gets in the way. When they move, they constantly make it clear that they resent their father's attempt to enjoy his dream job. Instead of learning to adjust to their new surroundings, as most children would, they figure that they should get going when the going gets tough.
I was frustrated by the idea that, in a society where so many people have difficulty having children at all, any couple would be careless enough to have so many kids that they obviously can't even begin to handle them--and then not even consider adoption as an option. The story of how some of the kids were conceived irritated me, and I didn't feel that that information needed to be fed to the audience.
The one redeeming quality I saw in the movie was the kid with the frog (Mark Baker?). His character was sweet, cute and likable. This fact actually only made me dislike the other characters more, since they were either mean or apathetic toward him till the very end of the movie. Still, that kid gave a great (and, at times, heart-wrenching) performance.
For that matter, I'm not sure that any of the actors gave poor performances, and the sets were pretty cool. I can't actually remember the music--I think there was a cover that I didn't like too well, but other than that I found it to be unoffensive. So my only real problem is with the story, which was probably more appropriate when the book and the first movie came out than it is in a current setting.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: Steve Martin plays, err Steve Martin (surprise) in the feelgood family "ahhh"movie release over the holiday season last year. Somehow encumbered with 12 children he bumbles through a cheesy plot and encounters many hilarious yet touching episodes and lessons in life on how to be a good father, friend, confidante, and most importantly how to boost a recently flagging career with this kind of non taxing and benign drivel.
Rating:
Summary: Movie follows formula and fails
Review: Cheaper by the dozen is a movie created by a formula where you throw in talented comedic actors like Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt and twelve cute kids and just let the hilarity ensue. Except it isn't really that easy.Sure, there are funny moments when Martin tries to corral the 12 crazy kids (actually eleven because one (Piper Peraboo) had already moved out and only appears a few times. Her boyfriend is one of the highlights of the film). But creating a funny situation with comedic scenes doesn't make a movie if you don't care for the characters. Characterization is where the movie falls short. Bonnie Hunt is called away on business after she sends her book to a publisher friend and has to go away on a book tour (I didn't know it only took a few weeks to publish a book). Then Martin gets his dream job as a coach of his alma matter football team. I think the movie expects us to take this part seriously because football coaching draws Martin away from his family, but the whole football thing is done so poorly, it is hard too. The football coaching gig loses credibility when Martin brings the team home to practice at his house and his tiny yard and there aren't even 20 players on the entire team. The predictable plot has Martin starting to choose his career over family and in the end choosing family again. But none of the kids are really memorable. Hillary Duff and Tom Weilling are some of the bigger stars, but Duff really does nothing. The little kids each have a few moments of screen time, but with so many characters, there are none to care about and thus no reason to care what decision Martin makes. This is a okay movie if you realize you will see nothing you haven't seen before. This movie is also great for families with no bad language or adult situations (other than the fact that the oldest daughter lives with her boyfriend).
Rating: 
Summary: Steve Martins next great movie
Review: For a movie to be a "good clean family movie" there must be no adult sensuality scenes, humor every generation will appreciate, and the end of the movie must encourage family love. A little slapstick is appropriate, but no real violence. "Cheaper by the Dozen" has all of that. Outside of one daughter, age 22, living with her boyfriend, the movie sails sharply away from anything scandalous.
When Tom (Steve Martin) is offered his dream job, he gets the chance to make something of himself. His current job is as a football coach at Lincoln College, a small school in central Illinois. The new job, which he takes, is at Illinois Polytechnic University (essentially Northwestern University).
They move north to Evanston in a beautiful home with stereotypical aloof wealthy neighbors. No is friendly. The high school football team teases the oldest boy, Charlie (Tom Welling).
As if the old lady already had so many children, Kate (Bonnie Hunt) takes off for a few weeks in New York to publish her first book. The family is still acclimating to Chicago and can't this loss of leadership. Everything falls into humorous disarray.
One downside in considering it as family fare is the attitudes of the children when Kate is gone. Most are selfish and conniving, looking for ways to manipulate their father into returning the family back to their small town lifestyle.
Some extremely, gut-hurting funny scenes can be found in "Cheaper by the Dozen," so long as you can tolerate one of the kids slipping in vomit, a dog chewing in an unmentionable area of Hank, a boyfriend (Ashton Krutcher), and some pranks that are almost lifted out of "Home Alone."
Director Shawn Levy does a decent job considering how many characters he has to juggle in the film. Martin could have done this role in his sleep though And may I say that is the calmest football coach I have ever seen on TV or in the movies. For me, the movie has only a few moments of genuine laughter though. Most of the time the script is pretty heavy handed, especially at the end.
The movie only toys with the relationship between one family and the Bakers, but seems bent on making a statement "Big city bad, small town good."
"Cheaper by the Dozen" follows a predictable path. No surprises in the plot, the ending or any of the smaller adventures within the subplots. Not everything is realistic, and not every storyline is provided an ending. However, for a fun, silly movie that finishes off with a strong pro-family sentiment, I fully recommend it.
Rating:
Summary: 12 is a BIG Number
Review: Another suprise. I had doubts about this film when it premeired at Christmas, and that is why I waited to see it on DVD. Turns out this was a very likeable and enjoyable movie. Sure, some of it was exaggerated, like the chandelier hanging, and the huge vocabularies that magically every child had, but let's all remember it's only a movie. Steve Martin, who is doing productively well in the Family Movie genre, was great. Bonnie Hunt, who never does fail also good. The children were played rising child actors, like Piper Perabole, Hilary Duff, and Tom Welling. Ashton Kutcher did a great cameo as well. The film was funny, entertaining, and heartfelt, and it is good for anyone to see. I highly approve this film.
Rating:
Summary: Tough Call...
Review: Okay, first off, I would like to admit to the fact that it wasn't the greatest movie of all time. It was pretty shallow, if you know what I mean. I don't think you can even compare Steve Martin's performance to that of his in "Bringin Down The House". But I think the only reason he wasn't up to his own standards is due to the fact that you can't have an average family-like movie with just one outstanding character. You just can't. There were some pretty funny parts in it though, I have to admit. But it just wasn't the good old 'laugh-out-loud' kind of funny. It was the kind where you just think 'that's pretty funny' and forget about. And what's up with Hilary Duff? What's next for her, world domination? I wouldn't be surprised. T.V.? Done. Movies? Done. Music? Done. Clothing? Done. I'm kinda getting sick of opening a magazine and seeing her. For instance, in Teen People, in an article called '20 Teens That Will Change The World', guess who was one of them? I mean, aren't you a little bit Hilary Duffed out? But back to the actual movie... It's good entertainment for, you know, younger kids, like 8 and under. In my opinion, for this movie, the older you are, the cornier you'll find it. But, don't get me wrong, it's good for an old 'Family Fun' kick. The movie is pretty much targeted for a family audience. It's a movie that's definitely worth borrowing from the library, and worthy of renting at a local Blockbuster or Hollywood Video, but I wouldn't buy it unless you've seen it.
Rating: 
Summary: Funny Family Farce Full of Folly
Review: Critically, I think "Cheaper by the Dozen" is worth three stars, but I laughed so hard I must give it five to be honest. Remember those old Disney movies from the 1960s that were good, clean fun? This is just like Disney used to be, in the farcical style of "Love Bug." There's no fantasy, but there is the improbable 14 person, one dog family. For a movie to be a "good clean family movie" there must be no adult sensuality scenes, humor every generation will appreciate, and the end of the movie must encourage family love. A little slapstick is appropriate, but no real violence. "Cheaper by the Dozen" has all of that. Outside of one daughter, age 22, living with her boyfriend, the movie sails sharply away from anything scandalous. When Tom (Steve Martin) is offered his dream job, he gets the chance to make something of himself. His current job is as a football coach at Lincoln College, a small school in central Illinois. The new job, which he takes, is at Illinois Polytechnic University (essentially Northwestern University). For Tom, the drive is the usual: Could he make it as the coach of a Division I school, especially at his alma mater? He wasn't unsatisfied with his job or his life at Lincoln. The IPU job fell into his lap, but it promised potential accolades he never received as a football player, a big multiyear salary, and the resources only a big school coach has access. For his family, the sell was hard. Tom pointed out they would have more material things, a relevant concern with a family with a dozen children. A few wore hand-me-downs, and Tom rightfully wanted the best for his brood. Still, the kids loved their home and friends. Leaving that life seemed unimaginable. They move north to Evanston in a beautiful home with stereotypical aloof wealthy neighbors. No one is friendly. The high school football team teases the oldest boy, Charlie (played by TV 'Superboy' Tom Welling with the same personality but no superpowers). As if the old lady already had so many children, Kate (Bonnie Hunt) takes off for a few weeks in New York to publish her first book. The family is still acclimating to Chicago and can't bear this loss of parental leadership. Everything falls into humorous disarray. One downside in considering it as family fare is the attitudes of the children when Kate is gone. Most are selfish and conniving, looking for ways to manipulate their father into returning the family back to their small town lifestyle. Tom's desire is to have it all -- the good job, the solid family, the wife who can explore her professional goals. His ability to pull it off is where it becomes hilarious, in the manner of "Father of the Bride" and "Planes, Trains, and Automobiles." Some extremely, gut-hurting funny scenes can be found in "Cheaper by the Dozen," so long as you can tolerate one of the kids slipping in vomit, a dog chewing in an unmentionable area of Hank, a boyfriend (Ashton Krutcher, playing the same personality as "That Seventies Show"), and some pranks that are almost lifted out of "Home Alone." The movie only toys with the relationship between one family and the Bakers, but seems bent on making a statement "Big city bad, small town good." "Cheaper by the Dozen" follows a predictable path. No surprises in the plot, the ending or any of the smaller adventures within the subplots. Not everything is realistic, and not every storyline is provided an ending. However, for a fun, silly movie that finishes off with a strong pro-family sentiment, I fully recommend it. Anthony Trendl
Rating:
Summary: Enjoyable!
Review: A very funny update on the old classic. Steve Martinand Bonnie Hunt have an on screen chemistry together that makes the movie work. Appearances by Hilary Duff help, too. Our whole family enjoyed it.
Rating: 
Summary: I walked out of the theater three times
Review: Horrible. Awful. Embarrassing. A complete waste of the talents of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt. Why do the parents care what the kids think? I was completely annoyed by this movie. Skip it immediately. The Lizzy Maguire girl should never be allowed to act again.
Rating:
Summary: Cheaper by the Dozen= an okay movie
Review: Cheaper by the Dozen was an (as I wrote from the title) okay movie. I admit, some parts were rather funny especially the part where the father Tom Baker (played by Steve Martin) jumps on a boy who's laughing stupidly. Also, some other places were pretty interesting. This movie is just about a family having 12 kids and of course, parents. They move to another place when the father gets his dream job- coaching his college football team. The mother goes to New York for her 'book tour' and Tom has to take care of his kids- but fails. Anyway, the mom comes back and then everything goes back to normal. The usual stuff. There were also bad parts, so I suggest kids watch with parents. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't like "OH THIS IS SO GOOD! I NEED TO WATCH IT AGAIN!" either. If you're thinking of something to watch with your family, try "Cheaper by the Dozen."
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