This is a silly movie where it's the Father's job to entertain the kids, and it's the kid's job to run the family's affairs. That isn't what the book was about, and it's not what this movie should have been about either.

Oh, and I think there were two jokes in the movie.

I thought Steve Martin (the person) was better than this.

Clean cut, entertaining movie, would recommend to anyone, especially if you grew up in a large family or wanted to know what it would be like to grow up in a large family

I'll watch anything that Steve Martin is in. While this one was entertaining, in a lightweight sense, some disturbing issues float in the undercurrent. As several reviewers pointed out, the kids seemed to be controlling the major issues in this family. (Is this a message we want to impart to our kids?) While the point, I'm sure, was to demonstrate that family should come first, and I agree with that, these kids were clearly running the show, not the parents ... and, uh, is that why big families are so much cozier and better?

Which leads me to the next problem. Throughout the film, some pointed and rather negative comments were made in reference to small families and only children. It was implied that BIG families are so much better and that all small families are selfish and evil. In real life, big families are not always so close and happy; while many small families are close and functional and happy. All in all, this film had some very charming moments, yes, but then again, there were many times when I wasn't quite sure what it was trying to tell us ....

Have 12 children, not all at once! Used to live in the countrey but now theu live in the city.

The Baker family has 12 kids. Admittedly, the parents started out wanting a large family. Tom (Steve Martin) was an only child and Kate (Bonnie Hunt) was from a large family, herself. But things went a little further then they had planned. Still, they and their kids are mostly happy, even if life is chaotic.

But then things change. Tom is offered his dream job, coaching football for his alma mater. And Kate's book about their life actually gets published, leading to a national book tour.

At first, everyone is happy by the changes. There's more money and more space in their bigger house. But slowly the kids realize that the parents don't have time for them any more. Can they get their parents' attention?

I saw the original movie years ago and remember enjoying it (except for the ending). I was always curious to see this film. It wasn't exactly worth it. With so many characters, it's hard to get to know anyone, although I did empathize with Mark Baker right off the bat for some reason. Even the big name stars brought in for the older kids (Tom Welling and Hilary Duff) get lost in the shuffle.

Furthermore, the plot doesn't really take advantage of the multiple kids idea. True, there are some comic moments, but much of this movie could have been done with 4 kids and gotten the same point across. Now don't get me wrong, I like the moral of the movie. I just think this film could have done better.

If you've got nothing else to do, this movie will kill 98 minutes. There are worse ways to spend your time. But there are better ways, too.