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Imagine That Review

Release Date: Jun 12, 2009
Rated: some mild language and brief questionable behavior
Runtime: 1 hr. 47 min.
Genres: Comedy, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Director:Karey Kirkpatrick
Cast:Eddie Murphy, Yara Shahidi, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox. Full cast + crew

Movies.com Critics

1.5

Dave White Profile <h3>Dave White</h3> <p><strong>Your Movies.com Man at the Multiplex</strong></p> <br /> <p>Dave White's first movie review was of the animated feature Snoopy Come Home. He was seven years old...<a href="http://www.movies.com/movie-reviews/dave-white">Read full profile</a></p>

Someone call Child Protective Services. Read full review

Other Critics provided by Metacritic.com

Critics scores range from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating more favorable reviews.

3.0

54

out of 100

Metascore^®
Mixed or average reviews
based on a weighted average of all
critic review scores.
50

out of 100

USA Today Claudia Puig
Though Imagine That's message is benign, its adult focus is off-base, and every move feels too familiar, formulaic and telegraphed.

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58

out of 100

Entertainment Weekly Owen Gleiberman
There's something sweet about the way that Murphy throws himself into this piffle. Thomas Haden Church does too.

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63

out of 100

Chicago Sun-Times Roger Ebert
Amusing without ever being break-out funny.

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70

out of 100

Variety Joe Leydon
An undemandingly pleasant, mildly amusing fantasy.

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70

out of 100

The Hollywood Reporter Kirk Honeycutt
The result is a much more playable film than recent efforts, though Murphy will have to share the applause with young Yara Shahidi.

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70

out of 100

Wall Street Journal Joe Morgenstern
Mr. Murphy rises to every occasion, not only with the crisp wit that has long been his hallmark, but with restraint and tenderness that serve him well.

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See all Imagine That reviews at Metacritic.com

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For Families provided by Common Sense Media

OK for kids 6+

Sugary sweet father-daughter comedy is fine for families.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that this Eddie Murphy father-daughter comedy is aimed squarely at families, so expect your kids to be interested. The good news is that it's mostly tame and family-friendly, except for a few exclamations like "crap" and "hell" and some possibly off-putting, over-the-top references/jokes regarding Native Americans and their culture. While Murphy's character starts out primarily interested in furthering his career, he ultimately learns an important lesson about putting his daughter first.

Families can talk about the movie's messages about work-family balance.
What does Evan learn by the time the movie is over?
Was Olivia'sfantasy world important because it helped Evan get ahead or because ithelped them bond?
Families can also discuss the movie's Native Americanjokes/references. Are they funny? Is humor based on stereotypes OK?

The good stuff

Messages: Putting your family first is really the plot of this film.
Role models: Evan, a workaholic dad, finally bonds with his daughter and decides tomake her the top priority in his life. On the other hand, for most ofthe movie, he uses her special blanket's magical skills to further hiscareer, even resorting to stealing security blankets to attempt to makehis own connection with the princesses.Native American culture is referenced, in many cases for a laugh. Thecharacter who acts like a Native American is exposed to be a fraud.

What to watch for

Violence and scariness: Several comic pratfalls.
Sexy stuff: Olivia says her mom is "friends" with a coworker who looks like "Prince Charming." The mom and her date are shown together at an event. Evan acts jealous.
Language: Mild insults like "stupid," "poop," and exclamations like "loads of crap," "cut the crap," "oh my God," "shut up," and "what the hell."
Consumerism: Featured brands include Dell computers, Mercedes, the TV show Blue's Clues, the children's book Olivia, the Denver Nuggets, and Red Bull energy drink.
Drinking, drugs and smoking: Not an issue

Common Sense Media

An independent nonprofit dedicated to providing families the information they need to help kids thrive in a world of media and technology.

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Fan Reviews provided by

Average Rating: 3.411

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