Cheaper By The Dozen Review: Disney's Modern Remake Is Tepid & Insincere
Cheaper by the Dozen, directed by Gail Lerner, is the latest victim of the remake machine. Most who are old enough will remember the 2003 version of this film starring Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt, which itself was a remake of the 1950 film of the same name. This new updated version reimagines the Baker family as a blended family with every possible family scenario thrown in for good measure.
As the opening narration reveals, Paul Baker (Zach Braff) and Zoey Baker (Gabrielle Union) come together with three and two kids, respectively, from previous relationships. Together, they welcomed two sets of twins and built a mom-and-pop shop from the ground up. Paul is a chef; Zoey has a degree in marketing. The family is more than just Paul and Zoey, though, as they have an almost live-in babysitter with Paul’s ex-wife Kate (Erika Christensen), two dogs, and later invite Seth (Luke Prael), Paul’s nephew, into their home when he needs a place to stay. Zoey’s ex Dom (Timon Kyle Durrett) is a famous athlete who is less hands-on than Paul’s ex, but for the most part, Zoey and Paul steer the ship when it comes to raising all the kids. Just like with 2003's Cheaper by the Dozen, the Baker patriarch has a shift in his career that has him moving the family to a bigger house in a fancy neighborhood. This causes a rift between Zoey and Paul as their business decisions come from Paul’s choices rather than from them as a united front. The kids all have varying reactions to moving, but they aren’t happy, leading to a Baker family in crisis.
Related: Cheaper By The Dozen Trailer: Zach Braff & Gabrielle Union Lead Disney Reboot
Viewers familiar with the work of Kenya Barris — who co-wrote the screenplay with Jenifer Rice-Genzuk — will know
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