I had a feeling when sitting down to watch “Man of the House”, I was going to be treated to no more than a fairly silly comedy that pokes fun at the mighty institutions known as the Texas Rangers and the Texas Cheerleading Association (I don’t believe the latter exists… but it wouldn’t surprise me if it did). What it turned out to be was so much more… a FUNNY comedy that pokes fun at the mighty institutions known as the Texas Rangers and the Texas Cheerleading Association. “Man of the House” stars Tommy Lee Jones as Texas Ranger Roland Sharp, who is assigned to guard five cheerleaders who witness the murder of a witness in a high profile drug case. He ends up moving into their building (while his helpers are stranded across the way doing surveillance from the local frat house). Of course, what comedy would be complete if there wasn’t more at stake than just protecting these girls? He also deems them unfit and rallies to change them from gum-chewing airheads to disciplined gum-chewing airheads.

But while he’s trying to whip them into shape, they in turn do their all to change his ways, in the hopes of helping him lighten up a little. Well, ok… a lot. It seems that the gruff old Ranger has his own share of marital and offspring trouble that the girls decide needs fixing. Hilarity ensues.

Oddly enough, as trite as “Man of the House” tends to be, Tommy Lee Jones does a much better than expected job handling the comedy department. He’s not quite Agent K from “Men in Black”, but still manages to deliver some great lines and expressions. I’d get into the girls that play the hero’s charges (Christina Milian, Paula Garces, Monica Keena, Vanessa Ferlito, and Kelli Garner), but they are a fairly interchangeable. They did a fine job, but honestly could have been played by any number of today’s up-and-coming nubile actresses. The one really weak link to the cast was Cedric the Entertainer, who plays and ex-con turned preacher. Try as I might, I have just never found him to be particularly funny and don’t understand why he keeps getting so many roles.

Sony is releasing the DVD for “Man of the House” this week with only a couple of extra features. These come in the form of two 20 minute featurettes, both of which come across a pretty much just promo pieces. Several of the girls are interviewed in both, but there’s not a lot to learn about the actual making of the film. The most ‘shocking’ bit of information is that all of the girls (in one way or another) developed crushes on their male lead. Ahh, an older man’s dream…. Beyond that, there’s not much else.

The audio and video transfer for “Man of the House” is first rate, though there’s nothing in the film that really requires the full surround sound experience. But the dialogue comes across clear as a bell, and the picture is wonderfully clear.

“Man of the House” was a much funnier film overall than I expected, and I actually would recommend it despite some of the formulaic fell to it. I will mention to those of you who pick it up for the sole purpose of catching a little T&A will be sorely disappointed. Despite the rating, which promises some sexual content, there’s really not much to be had. Personally this was fine with me, and just raised the quality of the film’s entertainment value.

Directed by: Stephen Herek
Starring: Tommy Lee Jones, Ann Archer, Brian Van Holt, Christina Milian, Paula Garces, Monica Keena, R. Lee Ermey
Extras: Making of Featurette, Cheer Camp Featurette
Specifications: Widescreen (2.40:1), Full Screen (1.33:1), Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
Studio: Sony / Columbia Tristar
Release Date: 7/19/2005
Region 1
MPAA Rating: PG-13 (Violence, Sexual Content, Crude Humor and a Drug Reference)
Website

We'll give Man of the House a B-.