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Over the last couple of years, I’ve learned to dread the annual Eddie Murphy comedy. Last year, it was the bland and pointless Meet Dave. In 2007, it was the painfully ridiculous Norbit. But when I first watched the trailer for Murphy’s new movie, I surprised myself…by laughing. And, believe it or not, it wasn’t just a fluke. The movie itself made me laugh, too.
Huh…Imagine That.
Imagine That is a family comedy about an uptight dad who learns an important lesson, thanks to his daughter and a couple of imaginary princesses. Murphy stars as Evan Danielson, a successful financial manager who’s headed for a promotion. The only thing standing in his way is Johnny Whitefeather (Thomas Hayden Church), his eccentric rival, who always seems to be one step ahead. In fact, Whitefeather’s so good that he’s started stealing Evan’s best clients away from him.
Now isn’t the time for a distraction—so Evan isn’t exactly thrilled when he’s reminded that he’s supposed to have his six-year-old daughter, Olivia (Yara Shahidi), for the week. And things get even worse when Olivia starts coloring on his paperwork. But Evan soon discovers that there’s some sort of method to Olivia’s madness—and her imaginary friends have been giving her surprisingly accurate investment advice. With some help from Olivia’s magic blanket—and her imaginary princess friends—Evan could finally get that promotion.
Imagine That is a giggle-worthy family movie that’s guaranteed to entertain viewers of all ages. For kids, there are plenty of poop jokes and grown-ups doing silly things (and, really, what’s funnier than that?). Parents, meanwhile, will be thrilled to find that Murphy hasn’t lost it after all. Sure, the jokes are pretty juvenile—and most of the humor revolves around Murphy making a fool of himself in public. But, well, it’s a kids’ movie.
For once, though, Murphy’s schtick doesn’t feel forced (as it has in his recent missteps). On the contrary, it feels quite natural—as if he actually enjoyed making the movie. And maybe that’s because he’s not trying to do everything. He isn’t playing 14 different characters. He’s not playing a fat woman…or a tiny alien. There aren’t any fancy effects or prosthetics or fat suits. He’s just a dad—something that, after having eight children of his own, I hope he knows a thing or two about. And, as a result, it feels more easy-going and fun-loving—and that makes the film fun to watch.
Of course, there’s nothing particularly new or original about the story. In fact, if Olivia’s princesses were really as on top of things as they claim to be, they could have told Nickelodeon that Disney was six months ahead of them, with Adam Sandler’s flashier, more effects-driven Bedtime Stories. But, if you ask me, grown-ups need regular reminders that it’s okay to have fun and be silly every once in a while—so I won’t complain.
So, for some silly family fun, don’t hesitate to take the kids to see Imagine That. They’ll love the goofy-looking grown-ups, and you’ll be relieved to have the old [funny] Eddie back.
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