Life in the Baker house is as chaotic as life in the original 1950 Cheaper Gilbreth house was well-ordered and organized. I think I like the in-name-only remake better.
What a lovely surprise: beyond the gloss of this formulaic Hollywood comedy about the importance of family, lies a heart-felt and hilarious treasure chest filled with home truths.
So calculatedly cast with popular kid stars that it seems a focus group was guiding all the choices.
Geoff Pevere
Toronto Star
December 25, 2003
We are not only asked to find the barbarian Baker brood a model of familial loyalty and unconditional devotion, we're also asked to regard with contempt everyone else who does not share the Bakers' unbridled consumerist anarchy.