I think the reason people love this movie so much is because the concept of being your gaurd while in your prison. I remember loving the movie as a kid and still love it because the concept is awesome and the cheesiness isn't shoved in the viewers face. I find it silly it got 5.1 but whatever!
It WAS indeed a most genius concept! It rounds out how cunning, resourceful, and uncoventional younger generations can be contrary to what most older members of society see in them nowadays. I sure wish motion pictures like this one came out more often or even better if a sequel to House Arrest came into being! Of course it would have been much more practical and to have done this a shorter time after the release of House Arrest given how much older the kid actors now are but nothing's ever impossible.
Well, I'm sure they could do some creative ripoff of the movie. They need more family films out there. They kind of are getting uncommon now and days. Did you see how easily a movie like Happy Feet destroyed it's competition?