Suggested by but otherwise bearing little resemblance to the book and the charming 1950 Clifton Webb-Myrna Loy movie of the same name, "Cheaper by the Dozen" is a standard-issue family comedy that easily could have been mistaken for a "Wonderful World of Disney" entry had it not been for the 20th Century Fox logo and the presence of Steve Martin. With the ever-affable Martin on board, though, it's much easier to market the hand-me-down material to paying audiences who could otherwise view this type of featherweight holiday fare in the comfort of their own TV rooms. [...] pay they will -- this Christmas Day arrival is a sure bet in a month that isn't exactly overrun with comedies that have been sufficiently sanitized for families of all ages.

Subscribe to the Hollywood Reporter and see the entertainment industry from its best angle: the inside looking out. Complete access to real-time news and exclusive analysis that goes behind the scenes from film to television, home video to digital media.

   Subscribe now.