• Home
  • Classic Reviews
  • 2015 Reviews
  • 2016 Reviews
  • 2017 Reviews
  • 2018 Reviews
  • 2019 Reviews
  • 2020 Reviews
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2023 Reviews
  • Movie Talk
  • Movieman Productions
    • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Ultimate Ed-Chronicles >
      • The 'Beginnings' Saga >
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Rise of Maleficent >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Rise of Maleficent Full Movie
        • Transformers: Legend of the Black Cauldron >
          • Transformers: Legend of the Black Cauldron Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Penguins of Madagascar >
          • EEEMTPOM Full Movie
        • The Eds and Iron Man: Dawn of the Blowhole >
          • The Eds and Iron Man Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Fast and the Furious >
          • EEE: The Fast and the Furious Full Movie
        • The Eds and Kung Fu Panda: Battle for China >
          • The Eds and Kung Fu Panda Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King: The Full Circle >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Thumbelina: Revenge of the Shredder >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Thumbelina Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Journey to Neverland >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Journey to Neverland Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: All Tangled Up >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: All Tangled Up Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure Chapter One Full Movie
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure Chapter Two Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Edventures in San Fransokyo
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Return to Neverland
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy vs The League of Evil
      • The 'Avengers' Saga >
        • The Eds and the Little Mermaid: Age of Extinction
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Ghostbusters
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: A Sea of Adventure
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Anastasia
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Incredibles
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Brand New Zootopia
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Into the Sugar Rush
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Big Sea Quest
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Heroes Assemble
      • The 'Justice' Saga >
        • The Loud Ghostbusters: Man of Steel
        • The Eds and Batman: Purge Night
        • Wonder Woman meets Hercules
        • Eds V Louds: God Versus Man
        • Eds V Louds: Doomsday
    • The Loud Ghostbusters >
      • The Loud Ghostbusters: Answer the Call
      • The Loud Ghostbusters: Jump Street
    • Thor and the Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
    • SpongeBob and Thor: Sponge Out of Water
  • Contact
  • About

Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)

3/29/2022

0 Comments

 
Picture
​"Cheaper by the Dozen" stars Gabrielle Union, Zach Braff, Ericka Christensen, Timon Kyle Durrett, Brittany Daniel, Cynthia Daniel, and Ron Funches. Released on Disney+ on March 18, 2022, the film has two parents managing a family business while taking care of their ten children.

The film featured the directorial debut of Gail Lerner, who's known for producing television shows like "Will & Grace", "Ugly Betty", and "Black-ish". It is based on the 1948 novel by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. It's no easy task to take care of a child, let alone two or three. On the other hand, raising ten kids is a whole different level. Good luck trying to pay for life insurance with that amount of children running loose. Disney is at it again with another revival of a 20th Century Fox property that holds a place in my heart. This time, it's a family comedy that expands the "family" in more ways than one, although this version is about two kids short of a dozen. This isn't the first time we've seen "Cheaper by the Dozen" being brought to the screen. It was previously made in 1950 by director Walter Lang and Clifton Webb and then again in 2003, which starred Steve Martin and was helmed by Shawn Levy. This latest reimagining looks to take the source material in a new direction while maintaining the chaotic nature of raising multiple kids. I was pretty curious about this one, mainly because I have fond memories of the 2003 adaptation. However, I was also cautious about it, given Disney's unfortunate track record in reviving Fox's famous franchises, especially "Home Alone" and "Ice Age". Despite that, I'm still willing to give the studio another chance at delivering something worthy enough to stand alongside Fox's previous installments. It can't be any worse than the movies I mentioned, right? Let's dive into the chaos and find out. 

The story centers on Zoey (Union) and Paul Baker (Braff) raising their kids following their divorces. They eventually met in Paul's restaurant and got married, resulting in them raising ten children together. While attempting to survive the chaos of their trouble-making kids, Zoey and Paul try to maintain the success of their breakfast-themed restaurant. Their series of misadventures will lead the parents to learn what it means to be a part of a family.

The 2022 remake includes some changes to make it more relatable for the current generation than the previous adaptations. The most prominent example is that the writers made the Bakers into a biracial family consisting of children of earlier marriages and an adopted child. I have nothing but appreciation for this approach because it inspires young children who are also part of a blended family and the parents who've gone through the struggle themselves. In addition, it teaches viewers about the importance of family regardless of who they are or where they come from. But, of course, it shouldn't be the only reason this movie exists, as it also has to rely on the execution to make the remake watchable. "Home Sweet Home Alone" attempted to do this familiar strategy but wound up being a complete embarrassment that's surprisingly worse than the franchise's direct-to-television sequels. So there were plenty of things for this film to accomplish to stand alongside the novel's previous adaptations and avoid the same mistakes from the other Disney reimaginings of Fox properties.

The plot in the 2022 remake has a few similar elements that we've seen in the 2003 version. The most notable ones are the Bakers moving into a larger house and one of the parents staying behind to watch the kids while the other goes on a business trip. While it does have some differences to keep itself separate from Steve Martin's misadventures with the larger family, it's pretty easy to get a sense of deja vu from watching it. The movie also attempts to provide a more dramatic approach to its concept amid the chaotic and comical nature of raising ten kids. It isn't without a few mishaps, but it also didn't shy away from representing racial bias from the perspective of a biracial family. It's a welcoming approach for people who are on this path themselves and viewers to develop some interesting conversations. I should know because I am part of a biracial family.

Unfortunately, even with its thoughtful direction, the remake fell short of being a chaotically fun dozen. The story not only took noticeable cues from the 2003 movie, but it also lacked the enthusiasm and wackiness that made that version special for me. It managed to keep the heart intact, though, which I had no problem with, but the experience of going through the sitcom-like motions felt pretty bland, unlike Paul's breakfast items. Gail Lerner handles the drama of the film's themes nicely while keeping things family-friendly, but her direction in providing comedy still needs work. The cast was also suitable in their roles, including Gabrielle Union and Zach Braff as Zoey and Paul, respectively. While not the best part of the movie, Braff still delivered enough chuckle-worthy moments to keep me somehow entertained. I would even say the same thing about Union, who's always a joy to watch. On the other hand, Erika Christensen struggled to follow suit regarding her role as Kate and her stale humor. As for the actors who portray the Baker kids, I thought they did all right. They're nothing too spectacular, but like the main leads, they have their moments.

Overall, "Cheaper by the Dozen" means well in its modern representation, but the mishaps in raising a large family are few and far between. It's another Disneyfied remake that doesn't quite deliver the same quality as Fox's counterpart. However, I would say that it's more tolerable than "Home Sweet Home Alone", mainly due to its themes and heartfelt moments. Unfortunately, its bland storytelling and subpar comedy kept the movie from reaching beyond those heights. If you have fond memories of the previous adaptations of "Cheaper by the Dozen", this latest iteration is worth watching for its representation alone. It's not a must-see, but it is worth giving a chance regardless of its flaws.
Picture

C

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Home of the most friendly movie reviews on the planet.
    Movieman Productions
    Contact

    Categories

    All
    2015 Reviews
    2016 Reviews
    2017 Reviews
    2018 Reviews
    2019 Reviews
    2020 Reviews
    2021 Reviews
    2022 Reviews
    2023 Reviews
    Classic Reviews
    Movie Talk
    The Oscars

    Follow Me

Copyright © 2015
  • Home
  • Classic Reviews
  • 2015 Reviews
  • 2016 Reviews
  • 2017 Reviews
  • 2018 Reviews
  • 2019 Reviews
  • 2020 Reviews
  • 2021 Reviews
  • 2022 Reviews
  • 2023 Reviews
  • Movie Talk
  • Movieman Productions
    • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Ultimate Ed-Chronicles >
      • The 'Beginnings' Saga >
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Rise of Maleficent >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Rise of Maleficent Full Movie
        • Transformers: Legend of the Black Cauldron >
          • Transformers: Legend of the Black Cauldron Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Penguins of Madagascar >
          • EEEMTPOM Full Movie
        • The Eds and Iron Man: Dawn of the Blowhole >
          • The Eds and Iron Man Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: The Fast and the Furious >
          • EEE: The Fast and the Furious Full Movie
        • The Eds and Kung Fu Panda: Battle for China >
          • The Eds and Kung Fu Panda Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King: The Full Circle >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Thumbelina: Revenge of the Shredder >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Thumbelina Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Journey to Neverland >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Journey to Neverland Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: All Tangled Up >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy: All Tangled Up Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure >
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure Chapter One Full Movie
          • Ed, Edd n Eddy's Frozen Adventure Chapter Two Full Movie
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Edventures in San Fransokyo
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Return to Neverland
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy vs The League of Evil
      • The 'Avengers' Saga >
        • The Eds and the Little Mermaid: Age of Extinction
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Ghostbusters
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: A Sea of Adventure
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets Anastasia
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy in Who Framed Roger Rabbit?
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy meets the Incredibles
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Lion King 2: Simba's Pride
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Brand New Zootopia
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Into the Sugar Rush
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy and the Big Sea Quest
        • Ed, Edd n Eddy: Heroes Assemble
      • The 'Justice' Saga >
        • The Loud Ghostbusters: Man of Steel
        • The Eds and Batman: Purge Night
        • Wonder Woman meets Hercules
        • Eds V Louds: God Versus Man
        • Eds V Louds: Doomsday
    • The Loud Ghostbusters >
      • The Loud Ghostbusters: Answer the Call
      • The Loud Ghostbusters: Jump Street
    • Thor and the Little Mermaid: Ariel's Beginning
    • SpongeBob and Thor: Sponge Out of Water
  • Contact
  • About