A powerful financial executive whose career was sent spiraling down the drain due to sudden lack of confidence finds the answers to his inexplicable setback in an imaginary world dreamt up by his young daughter in a fantasy comedy starring Eddie Murphy and co-scripted by Ed Solomon and Chris Matheson (the writing duo behind Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure and Bill & Ted's Bogus Journey). ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
It's silly enough that its target audience should get a kick out of it and its bearable for adults, and as far as family films go that's a lot better than you can usually expect.
Murphy's heart is in the right place here, if a little on the predictably unrepentant prankster side, as he does an emotionally absentee, pretending-to-listen kind of dad, simply not into the whole parenting thing.
Imagine That is an embarrassment from which only Thomas Haden Church emerges unscathed, because he is the only one to commit fully to his eccentric character.
Murphy struggles to find work in other genres, but given the way he indulges himself with funny faces and voices, it's equally possible that he genuinely likes acting alongside children.
An uncharacteristically restrained performance by Eddie Murphy, a sharply funny supporting role filled by Thomas Haden Church, and a beguiling new child actor, Yara Shahidi, make this fantasy-comedy about the power of imagination agreeable enough.
Ham fisted and formulaic, Imagine That nevertheless has some endearing qualities to save it from the trash can %u2013 notably Yara Shahidi, the cute little bundle whose smartly innocent presence and likeable little face are so loved by the camera that dir
Eddie Murphy, in his hyperactive comedic guise, is in fine fettle in this family-friendly comedy, although he is largely upstaged by his enchanting 7 year old co-star Yara Shahidi, who steals scenes as quickly as Murphy talks.
Murphy at least tries to stay in character rather than overdoing the silly voices and physical knockabout, but maybe the material was so blah that he felt it wasn't worth the effort.
Shahidi is an extremely promising young actress who i'm sure will blossom her career with great success however it seems to be going in the opposite direction for Murphy at the moment with the exception of returning to his roots in Tower Heist. On the other hand, from what i've seen this is Eddie Murphy's best family
film. It's very formulaic and forgettable but the direction is good and the film like Murphy for once, has it's heart in the right place. It's not another Norbit or Daddy Day Care. It's better than that but it's not great either.
March 23, 2012
Directors Cat
Super Reviewer
it couldve been funnier, but its a safe family friendly comedy film that is entertaining for the whole family
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