choat2000 I have next to no love for this movie. It's just a sappy load of...ugh. They try to fit so many characters in and it's just an ugly, overwhelming piece of work. One of my least favorite characters is Tom Welling's character. I just find him angry and annoying. I guess I can chalk it up to bad casting (not that Tom Welling's acting is bad, but because he was simply too old for the part). The storyline is at least interesting in how much conflict there is, but it wraps up really poorly with them staying at a house they hate.If I were you, I'd stay away from this movie. It's one of my least favorite movies on this planet.

graphicstyle7 I hate this film for two reasons:1. Steve Martin is in it. Why? Why? Why? When did this very talented and funny man go from innovative genius to doofus in a stupid family movie? Really ruined his image for me.2. OK, take a TRUE STORY which also happens to be an interesting piece of American history as well. Then take the (extremely well made) movie version from 1950, throw in the (also well done) sequel in as well. Chuck them all down the toilet and mix in stupid jokes, and you get this dreck. Ew Ew EwWhen people look up the phrase "the dumbing down" of America, they should have a picture of the 2003 version of this film next to that phrase. Sums it up perfectly.

PWNYCNY When watching this movie one is reminded of the word insipid. This movie is appropriate for pre-school age children who have absolutely nothing else to do and would prefer watching images of kids and parents acting silly. Yes, silly is another word that applies to this movie. It is light fare, so light that it floats like a feather, going from one silly scene to another. Oh, another word to describe this movie is cute. Cute is nice but is it entertaining? Is it dramatic? Is it funny? The answer to all three questions is an emphatic no. A movie that cannot be taken seriously is either campy or a comedy and while this movie is not campy it isn't particularly funny either. Other words to describe this movie are schmaltzy, hokey and corny. This movie has the dramatic power of a fair weather cloud. Even Steve Martin cannot rescue this movie from the clutches of banality which can bring even the resolute movie watcher to the brink of boredom and even beyond, to the world of sleep. Zzzzzzzzz.

TheLittleSongbird I did like this movie in general. There are some funny moments and the performances are spirited from the entire cast. Unfortunately, although as a remake it is acceptable it does have its weak spots. I didn't feel as though it had the charm of the original, by that I mean that doesn't quite have the irreverence and likability that made the original so endearing. There are some pacing problems and major discrepancies in the screenplay, plus the direction wasn't as strong as it could have been. On the whole though, it is not too bad. There is some nice scenery and camera work. The performances from the cast are fun; Steve Martin does very well in the title role, and the ensemble of children have strong chemistry. And despite the weak script, there are some funny moments, like the mince-in-the-trousers part. And there are some heart-warming parts like the ending. Overall, flawed but acceptable. 6/10 Bethany Cox