Opening on Christmas Day, Cheaper By the Dozen, directed by Shawn Levy and starring Steve Martin (Bringing Down the House) and Bonnie Hunt (Monsters, Inc.) is a funny, yet heartwarming story about the importance of family and the crazy events that take place in a big family. The Baker family is living happily in a small town when Tom Baker (Martin) is offered his dream job coaching a college football team. The family packs up and moves to a big house near Chicago. Soon after they move, his wife Kate (Hunt) is offered a deal on the book she is writing entitled Cheaper By the Dozen. Kate goes on a book tour, leaving Tom alone with their 11 children that are still living at home. The younger kids play pranks on the oldest daughter Nora, played by Piper Perabo (Coyote Ugly), and her boyfriend Hank, played by Ashton Kutcher (Just Married). Tom totally loses control of the family. While a comedy about the craziness of living with 11 kids, Cheaper By the Dozen reminds audiences that sometimes family is more important than having it all.

Martin plays the dedicated dad that finally gets a job offer he cannot refuse. But in the introduction to the movie, it is obvious that he helps out around the house and with his wife, has decided to be an involved parent. Hunt's voiceover in the beginning makes it clear that both parents have decided to push their career dreams aside for their family.

The main premise in the movie is when this value shifts to the parents putting careers first. The kids are unhappy in their new setting and the two oldest kids at home, Charlie, played by Tom Welling (of the TV series Smallville) and Lorraine, played by Hilary Duff (The Lizzie McGuire Movie) are tortured at their new high school. The younger kids complain that their dad is not home as much as he used to be and Mark, played by Forrest Landis, who already felt like an outcast feels even more like one. While this might not be Steve Martin's best performance, he is convincing as a devoted father who just doesn't know how to manage his time.

Hunt as a writer finally getting a book deal is clueless to her kids' mischief going on without her. When she comes home she is shocked at how out of control her home has become. People swinging from chandeliers, football practice in the house and an ax through the closet door are just some of the things that go on while she's away. However, family values win out in the end when everyone, including Nora, the daughter who has already moved out, agrees that family is the most important thing in their lives.

The movie is not the deepest or most Oscar-worthy of the year, but it is still entertaining and enjoyable, relaying a solid message. The comedic plots of the younger children are entertaining and creative. A particularly funny scene is when other kids soak Hank's underwear in raw meat prompting the dog to attack. They also do things such as play roller hockey in the house and repel from the roof.

People outside the Baker family often disapprove of the kids' behavior, but the main message of the movie is that they stick together and help each other out.

At a time when most of the Oscar films of the year are being released it is nice to see a lighthearted comedy where family is the number one value.