Cheaper by the Dozen reimagined for modern times

Disney+ latest movie is a reimagined movie based on the Cheaper by the Dozen remake, and not anything like the original Cheaper by the Dozen book and movie about the Gilbreth family. My Disney Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) Christian Movie Review will give you the information you need to make an informed decision about viewing this film with your children. 

In fact, I read the original book, Cheaper by the Dozen, and love the 1950s movie based on this book. This comedy was based upon the autobiographical book by Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. It is about growing up with a family of 12 children in New Jersey. Frank Gilbreth Sr. when asked why he had so many kids, would respond, “Well, they come cheaper by the dozen, you know.” 

The original movie starred Clifton Webb, Myrna Loy, and Jeanne Crain. What I love so much about the movie is that the dad is an efficiency engineer. His wife, Lillian Miller Gilbreth, is a psychologist. One of my favorite scenes from the original movie is when someone from Planned Parenthood comes to their house to talk about birth control not knowing they have 12 children.

Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) Christian Movie Review SYNOPSIS: 

From Disney: “A Disney+ Original movie, “Cheaper by the Dozen” is a fresh take on the 2003 hit family comedy. It is the story of the raucous exploits of a blended family of 12, the Bakers, as they navigate a hectic home life while simultaneously managing their family business. The movie stars Gabrielle Union, Zach Braff, Erika Christensen, Timon Kyle Durrett, Journee Brown, Kylie Rogers, Andre Robinson, Caylee Blosenski, Aryan Simhadri, Leo Abelo Perry, Mykal-Michelle Harris, Christian Cote, Sebastian Cote and Luke Prael. The movie is directed by Gail Lerner, with a screenplay by Kenya Barris & Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry based upon the novel by Frank Bunker Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey. Kenya Barris is producing, with Shawn Levy, Gabrielle Union, Brian Dobbins, and Donald J. Lee, Jr. serving as executive producers. 

First off, the reason that I am harsh in this review is that in the opening scene of this movie, this is a brief moment that says, “Based upon the novel Frank Bunker Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey.” Those words are the only thing that resembles the original book.

The Bakers are a blended family. Paul Baker was married and had children before getting divorced, and his current wife, Zoey Baker, was married with 2 children. Together they have more children. The Baker’s have a restaurant where they work together. Eventually, Paul pitches his sauce to an investment firm. 

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What Parents May Want to Know – Disney Cheaper by the Dozen 2022 Christian Movie Review

THE GOOD:

The family in the movie generally gets along. In fact, they work hard to make their blended family function as normally as possible. Additionally, you will find heartfelt moments in this film that you will enjoy. 

A big plus is the inclusion of a wheelchair character. One of the daughters is in a wheelchair. However, it is never discussed and the house really isn’t even set up for a wheelchair. 

Content That May Be Objectionable:

Violence:

One child is accident-prone and falls often. He is shown with a bloody nose.

A child is bullied for being Asian. He later gets in a fistfight.

Language:

When introducing the family, the narrator says one of the boys has dreams of being “a player.”

Language such as idiot, h-ll, d-mn, butt, suck, jerk, oh my g-d is generously sprinkled throughout.

Sexual Content: 

A couple enacts a scene from Grease and lays on a desk passionately kissing. It is a short scene. Another woman has a low-cut dress on with a large amount of cleavage showing.

A young girl dresses provocatively.

A teen spends the night at her boyfriend’s house. There is not a scene dedicated to this, but a discussion about it afterward. The teen is grounded.

A married couple is in their bedroom. He has wine and a snack, and she says she will go put on lingerie. He responds, “You know the one I love baby.”

It is mentioned that college girls are free with their bodies.

Jokes about viewing pornography on the computer.

Spiritual Content:

One character says, “namaste.”

A character mentions RuPaul

A wedding scene shows the groom stepping on a glass customary in Jewish tradition.

“Thank God for that.” I did not know if this was spoken sarcastically or seriously. 

Mention of being a bird in a previous life.

Other Content:

Both the mom and dad in the film are divorced. However, they treat it very casually – we moved on.

Introduction to the family mentions whether children were planned or an accident.

A Black Lives Matter sign is seen in the upstairs window of the Baker house.

Furthermore, the dogs’ names are Bark Obama and Joe Biten

Trigger Warning: It is mentioned that someone’s best friends were killed by a drunk driver.

Additionally, there are plenty of mentions of TikTok and social media as one daughter wants to be an influencer.

In one scene, kids are seen making bets and racing bikes through the house.

Paul Baker’s sister is in and out of rehab. While they take in her son, the kids are not happy doing so. He is seen stealing from a cash register, but then he puts the money back. Eventually, there is a redemptive scene where the family let him know that they care for him.

One boy comes out with eyeliner. He is trying to attract a goth girl.

Today’s culture and everything associated with current liberal views are espoused in the film. Frequent mentions of social media, racism, racial profiling, the fact that the white guy doesn’t understand, a black woman is mistaken for the nanny, and white privilege is talked about.

My Viewing Recommendations: Disney Cheaper by the Dozen (2022) Christian Movie Review

If Disney had actually built a film around the good moments in the film instead of trying to push an agenda for most of the film, this could have been a cute film. But it was not funny, and it wasn’t entertaining. Additionally, there was enough content to give an age recommendation of 12 and up. However, I would definitely pass this movie by and watch the original 1950s version.

Finally, this woke imposter pushes a politically correct agenda. White people are portrayed as ignorant and insensitive. Additionally, white people can’t raise black children. At the end of the film, there is a recant from this sentiment.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

In 2003, Disney produced a remake of Cheaper by the Dozen starring Steve Martin, Bonnie Hunt, and Hilary Duff. They were said to be relatives of the original couple. There was a Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005) with the original cast of the 2003 remake. (Read review here).

CAST of Cheaper by the Dozen (2022)

Rated PG for Thematic elements, suggestive material, language

Release date on Disney+ March 18, 2022.

Runtime: 1 hr., 48 minutes

Directed by: Gail Lerner

Screenplay by: Kenya Barris & Jenifer Rice-Genzuk Henry

Produced by: Kenya Barris

Executive Producers: Shawn Levy, Gabrielle Union, Brian Dobbins, Donald J. Lee, Jr.

Paul Baker played by Zach Braff

Zoey Baker played by Gabrielle Union

Kate played by Erika Christensen

Dom Clayton played by Timon Kyle Durrett

Deja played by Journey Brown

Ella played by Kylie Rogers

DJ played by Andre Robinson

Harley played by Cayley Blosenski

Naresh played by Aryan Simhadri

Luca played by Leo Abelo Perry

Luna played by Mykal-I hello Harris

Bailey played by Christian Cote

Bronx played by Sebastian Cote

Seth Baker by Luke Prael

Melanie played by Brittany Daniel

Michele played by Cynthia Daniel Hauser

Anne played by June Diane Raphael

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