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Imagine That

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Imagine That (2009)

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Reviews Counted:104

Fresh:39

Rotten:65

Average Rating:4.8/10

Consensus: Despite a promising turn by newcomer Yara Shahidi, Imagine That is another pedestrian family comedy that squanders Eddie Murphy's comedic talents.

Rated: PG [See Full Rating] for some mild language and brief questionable behavior.

Runtime: 1 hr 47 mins

Genre: Comedies

Theatrical Release:Jun 12, 2009 Wide

Box Office: $16,088,610

Synopsis: In Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ family comedy “Imagine That,” Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old... In Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ family comedy “Imagine That,” Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old daughter (Yara Shahidi). When he has a crisis of confidence and his career starts going down the drain, however, he finds the solution to all his problems in his daughter’s imaginary world. --© Paramount [More]

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox

Starring: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox, Martin Sheen, Yara Shahidi

Director: Karey Kirkpatrick

Director: Karey Kirkpatrick
Screenwriter: Ed Solomon, Chris Matheson
Producer: Lorenzo Di Bonaventura, Ed Solomon
Composer: Mark Mancina
Studio: Paramount Pictures

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Release:

Oct 6, 2009

[DVD Details]
 
 
  • What if your daughter’s imagination was the secret to your success? When a highly competitive money mogul (Eddie Murphy) finds his financial kingdom slipping, he turns to his 7-year-old daughter (Yara Shahidi) and her fantasy world of imaginary princesses for help. Embarking on a whirlwind journey of comic proportions, father and daughter are about to discover that sometimes all you need is a little imagination – and a lot of love – in this “feel-good winner with something for everyone” (Pete Hammond, Hollywood.com).
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    Reviews for Imagine That

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    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    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.

    Full Review Source: smh.com.au | comment Comment
    10/01/09
    Giles Hardie
    Giles Hardie
    smh.com.au

    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.

    Full Review Source: The Age (Australia) | comment Comment
    09/17/09
    Jake Wilson
    Jake Wilson
    The Age (Australia)

    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.

    Full Review Source: Courier Mail (Australia) | comment Comment
    09/16/09
    Des Partridge
    Des Partridge
    Courier Mail (Australia)

    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

    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    09/15/09
    Andrew L. Urban
    Andrew L. Urban
    Urban Cinefile

    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.

    Full Review Source: Urban Cinefile | comment Comment
    09/15/09
    Louise Keller
    Louise Keller
    Urban Cinefile

    Twenty years ago it would've been hard to imagine that the typical formula for an Eddie Murphy vehicle would have changed so dramatically.

    Full Review Source: TheMovieReport.com | comment Comment
    08/31/09
    Michael Dequina
    Michael Dequina
    TheMovieReport.com

    It's a sad reflection on Eddie Murphy's career that the best thing you can say about Imagine That is that there aren't any fat suits.

    Full Review Source: Washington Times | comment Comment
    08/30/09
    Sonny Bunch
    Sonny Bunch
    Washington Times

    [A] characteristically laboured comedy.

    Full Review Source: Observer [UK] | comment Comment
    08/17/09
    Philip French
    Philip French
    Observer [UK]

    It’s anodyne stuff and not funny enough.

    Full Review Source: This is London | comment Comment
    08/17/09
    This is London

    Imagine That is a sweet surprise of a film that goes some way to restoring Murphy’s reputation.

    Full Review Source: Empire Magazine | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Chris Hewitt (UK)
    Chris Hewitt (UK)
    Empire Magazine

    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.

    Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Trevor Johnston
    Trevor Johnston
    Time Out

    Short of laughs, sense and morality, this is an awkward, peculiar, peculiarly American, endeavour.

    Full Review Source: Channel 4 Film | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Daniel Etherington
    Daniel Etherington
    Channel 4 Film

    You’re left with the feeling that the film-makers don’t see a conflict between the profit motive and paternal love.

    Full Review Source: Times [UK] | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Toby Young
    Toby Young
    Times [UK]

    There really isn't a spark of genuine humour or life in the entire thing, and the movie grinds its way to a syrupy finale.

    Full Review Source: Guardian [UK] | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Peter Bradshaw
    Peter Bradshaw
    Guardian [UK]

    Yet another example of a movie that's had all the life sucked out of it by the Hollywood studio system. In the end it isn't very funny, clever or engaging.

    Full Review Source: Shadows on the Wall | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Rich Cline
    Rich Cline
    Shadows on the Wall

    Ultimately, if you want to watch a dire attempt at comedy revolving around a misguided father and troubled daughter then go off and rent Curly Sue. It's a cut above Imagine That, but that's hardly a compliment.

    Full Review Source: Digital Spy | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Ben Rawson-Jones
    Ben Rawson-Jones
    Digital Spy

    The dubious combination of business, buffoonery and child manipulation makes Imagine That a tough sell.

    Full Review Source: Sky Movies | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Elliott Noble
    Elliott Noble
    Sky Movies

    It’s a novel premise, but an unworkable one.

    Full Review Source: Total Film | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Ken McIntyre
    Ken McIntyre
    Total Film

    Ultimately it’s an inoffensive tale that comes with a simple moral message.

    Full Review Source: Filmstar Magazine | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Noam Friedlander
    Noam Friedlander
    Filmstar Magazine

    Bizarrely charmless and misconceived from start to finish, it represents yet another nail hammered into the coffin of Eddie Murphy's career.

    Full Review Source: Daily Mail [UK] | comment Comment
    08/14/09
    Christopher Tookey
    Christopher Tookey
    Daily Mail [UK]
     
     
    1 - 20 (sorted by date)
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    Latest News for Imagine That

    June 24, 2009: Paramount's Woes Highlighted in Report Opens in new window
    In the wake of Eddie Murphy's "Imagine That" -- and a subsequent shakeup at the studio -- an analyst has released a scathing report on Paramount Pictures. More...

    June 13, 2009: Worthwhile, as long as you're willing to watch Eddie Murphy play the straight man. Opens in new window
    More...

    June 11, 2009: Critics Consensus: Pelham 1 2 3 Doesn't Quite Take
    This week at the movies, we've got a railway heist (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta) and some magical financial advice (Imagine That,... More...

    June 11, 2009: Box Office Guru Preview: Travolta Faces Off With Denzel in 1 2 3
    Two A-listers duke it out in North American multiplexes in the new action thriller The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta which will challenge... More...

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