This is a great film for tweens and older kids. The oldest Baker child lives with her boyfriend but this is clearly looked down upon. Language is kept to a minimum, a few OMG's and mild insults (moron, idiot, Doorknob Man etc). Violence is comedic not meant to be taken seriously. Some of the kids actions vary from wrong to downright disrespectful, but most of it relevant to the plot and turned around by the end. A great film if it is not taken seriously.
Cheaper by the Dozen
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Is it age appropriate?
About our ratings -
Is it any good?
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Common Sense says
Remake bears no resemblance to the 1950 original.
Why We Rated This 
for Ages 8–10
What to watch out for
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Violence & scariness:
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Sexy stuff:
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Language:
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Consumerism:
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Drinking, drugs, & smoking:
What Parents Need to Know
This review of Cheaper by the Dozen was written by Nell Minow
Parents need to know that the movie includes some schoolyard-style naughty words and PG-style sexual references that get close to a PG-13. When asked about his 12 children, Tom smirks about his wife: "I couldn't keep her off me." He explains that he had a vasectomy but did not wait for it to become effective, resulting in the second set of twins. And part of the plot concerns the oldest child (an adult) moving in with her boyfriend (which does not bother her parents) and whether they should be allowed to sleep together when they visit the family. Some audience members may be offended by the portrayal of the family as vaguely Catholic, with references to Jesus and a rosary but no evidence of religious observance. There is comic peril with some minor injuries. The product placement (Crate & Barrel) is particularly (and annoyingly) intrusive.
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More on Cheaper by the Dozen
What’s the Story?
Steve Martin plays Tom Baker, a coach who is offered his dream job at his alma mater just as his wife Kate (Bonnie Hunt) hears that her book about the family has been accepted for publication. The eleven children still living at home do not want to move, but Tom promises that it will make them a stronger and happier family. But the new job is very demanding, and when Kate has to go on tour to promote the book, Tom is quickly overwhelmed by the challenges of taking care of his children.
Is It Any Good?
CHEAPER BY THE DOZEN is not a movie; it is a product, with a script right off the assembly line and direction on automatic pilot. Its intended audience of 8- to 14-year-olds will probably enjoy it very much. But those who care about that audience will be disappointed that the people behind this movie do not realize that they owe those children some imagination and sincerity. The movie takes its title and family size from the classic book about the real-life Gilbreth family but has no other connection to the original and is inferior to it in every aspect.
There are the predictable "aww" moments (death of a pet, reminder that the kids might fight with each other, but they really love each other) and the predictable "ewww" moments (one child barfs and another slips and falls on it). The script is slack and lazy, incapable of a satisfying resolution for even the most reliable family-movie plot devices like a mean bully or snobby, over-protective neighbors.
Movie Details
Studio: Twentieth Century Fox, Director: Shawn Levy
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2003, DVD release: 4/6/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for language and some thematic elements
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: 12/25/2003, DVD release: 4/6/2004
MPAA Rating: PG for language and some thematic elements
Our Members Say
See 40 member reviews
Most Recent Reviews
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
- My highlights are:
A great film.
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I rate this title on for age 8 and give it
oes common sense not like this movie? It's amazing!
this movie is awsome and halriouse! IK don't understand why common sense dosent like it! It's awsome!
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I rate this title on for age 9 and give it
- My concerns are:
- Excessive violence
- Inappropriate sexual content
- Inappropriate language
an amazing and funny movie!
this movie is amazing and funny. But there are some IFFY things in it like for sexy stuff an older dude named shane has a girlfriend and they make out and sleep in the same bed together. Also when shane fall into a pool he is naked when he has his bethrobe on and the kids point stare and laugh at him. for vilonce.... It's very mild. The kids don't lik shane so they set up a trap so he trips and falls into a pool. Also the kids bring a live snake to a party and everyone runs to get away from it. Also a man falls on top of a 8 year old boy (off screen) and the boy breaks his arm and is sent to the hospital. and for language... wel theres just a couple words like shut up. ow and i forgot to metion another thing for sexy stuff is that in the beginning the woman gets pregnet and they show her and her husband awfully close to one other kissing. and in one scene they do something kind of sexual in bed.
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
good for kids 7 and up
I love it so much it is such a good i loved it but there is 1 bad part but i love it so much I am going to see it right now
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I rate this title on for age 7 and give it
good for kids 7 and up
I love it so much it is such a good i loved it but there is 1 bad part but i love it so much I am going to see it right now
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