Overall rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Best for Ages: 5+
Ages 3 - 7: Yellow
Ages 8 - 12: Green
Ages 13 - 17: Green
Violence Amount: Green
Violence Portrayal:
Green
Fear: Green
Illegal / Harmful: Green
Language: Yellow
Nudity: Green
Sex: Green
Review:
This remake of a 1950 movie about a couple
with 12 children has Tom Baker (Steve Martin)
and his wife, Ann (Bonnie Hunt) very happy
with their small town life and their family.
Suddenly, Tom is offered his dream-coaching
job. After some discussion with the family,
they all move to Chicago so Tom can fulfill
his dream. At the same time, Ann learns that
her first book is going to be published. The
family is in a big city, Ann has a publicity
tour for her book and Tom is trying to work
out his new job. The organization the couple
has developed over the years to take care
of their large family has flown out the window.
Worse yet, all the children hate their new
schools. Chaos reigns! This family loves one
another very much and they need to take some
time to realize that. After all the funny
moments, the family learns anew how to work
together for the good of everyone. The parents
get their priorities straight and the children
try to think of everyone’s needs, instead
of just their own. There are many funny moments
in the movie that will be enjoyed by young
and old alike. Hilary Duff, Tom Welling, and
Piper Perabo portray the older children with
a cameo by Ashton Kutcher. There is some language
and some of the themes are more adult. Anyone,
aged five to infinity should enjoy this film.
It is a good family film that will entertain
all ages.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.
Linda has been a lover of movies
since she was a small child. This
love of film eventually brought
her to the point in life where
she is now, a film critic. She
was featured on WCCO radio for
three years on the “Dark
in the Morning” show with
Dark Star.
In December of 2001, Linda became
the film critic for the syndicated
“Ruth Koscielak Show”.
Linda sees over 150 movies a
year and has had the opportunity
to interview a number of directors
and actors when they are in town.
She has also appeared on a public
access show called the "Cinema
Judge" and has ventured into
writing for "Cinestar"
magazine in September 2002. The
Twin Cities movie magazine is
available, for free, at most local
Blockbuster's and local movie
cheaters.
As one of the few female reviewers
in the Twin Cities area, she brings
a unique point of view to her
reviews. Linda has raised two
children, a boy and a girl, and
knows what they like in movies
and what is appropriate. Hopefully,
her reviews will help your family
in choosing where to next spend
your movie-going dollar.
Linda
Thomas is a native Minnesotan. She
graduated from the University of
Minnesota with a double major in
sociology and psychology. Married
with a family, she has remained
in the Minneapolis area.