Imagine That!

Imagine That! Eddie Murphy‘s in a movie that’s actually funny! I can’t say that I was jumping for joy at the idea of going to see Imagine That, but I always like to give movies a try, especially when it comes to comedians who I used to think were hysterical.

I understand that times change. Generations age, and humor changes with that. But the previews did look cute. How could they not with such an adorable little girl in them, and I was pleasantly surprised by what I saw. That’s not to say that it’s a great movie because it isn’t. But it’s sweet and when compared to Daddy Day Care and Meet Dave, that’s saying a lot.

In these times, parents could and probably should take a cue from this film. Evan Danielson (Eddie Murphy) is a primo investment banker but also the kind of dad who pays more attention to his laptop and Blackberry than to his adorable little munchkin, played by Yara Shahidi. He’s a shoe-in for a promotion when his boss, played by Martin Sheen is close to retiring. Unfortunately he’s challenged by his co-worker Johnny Whitefeather (Thomas Haden Church), who also happens to be one of the funniest characters in the film.

Not used to caring for his 7-year old daughter, things get a little strange when she starts disappearing under a blanket which happen to also be the doorway into her fantasy world, filled with a princesses and dragons. The story sounds a little timeless, and it is. Hollywood has been escaping into fantasy worlds with children forever. But Imagine That has added a corporate twist when Evan realizes that the friends in her world can also help him get great stock tips, basically the only think that can save him in the fight for the top against Whitefeather.

For Murphy, this character shows him in the best light in a long time. Yes, he’s still all over the place and over the top crazy, but we’re reminded that he can also be quietly funny and realistically intimate. And the real star here, Shahidi, brings her character to life in the most earnest and endearing of ways. If I could pick her up and put her in my pocket, I would.

Writers Ed Solomon an Chris Matheson (all the Bill and Ted movies), create a surprising wonderful story with a full beginning, middle and end. However, the film does lack a little in the direction department. It IS supposed to be a movie about believing in the power of magic, something kids do often and we often lose once we become adults, and that’s due to Karey Kirkpatrick choices. I do commend him for his effort in Over the Hedge, but where he made me believe those animals had come to life, it clearly was a little harder for him, minus the animation, to show that.

All in all, I always appreciate a film that can entertain children while not leaving the adults feeling left out, and though it’s not necessarily marketed to either audience, I couldn’t help but walk away with a smile on my face.