Just who’s taking care of whom?

“Man of the House,” which opened Friday, is quite a few cuts above the usual movie released without press previews. No groundbreaker – nor is it trying to be – it’s a good-natured comedy about an ultra-macho, straight-arrow Texas ranger (Tommy Lee Jones, perfect casting) protecting five University of Texas cheerleaders (Christina Milian, Paula Garces, Monica Keena, Kelli Garner, Vanessa Ferlito), the witnesses to a murder. When Jones moves in with the girls, he and his charges affect each other in unexpected ways – the girls even sharpen him up for his date with elegant English literature professor Anne Archer.

Director Stephen Herek keeps things moving and throws in some lively action sequences but keeps the emphasis on the amusing and affectionate relationships between Jones and the girls. Cedric the Entertainer is on hand for lively comic relief.

“Man of the House,” rated PG-13 for violence, sexual content, crude humor and a drug reference. Running time: 1 hour, 39 minutes. In general release.