Review: Murphy's Imagine That Lacks, er, Imagination

Eddie Murphy and young Yara Shahidi star in a by-the-books father-daughter bonding flick

By Matt Stevens Jun 11, 2009 8:21 PMTags
Imagine ThatParamount Pictures

Review in a Hurry: You might want to bring your own pixie dust and magic wand. This Eddie Murphy comedy, about a financial exec who finds success in his daughter's make-believe world, could use more enchantment—and less predictability. Still, you and your imaginary friends might share a few laughs.

The Bigger Picture: Imagine that family movies stopped recycling the worn-out formula of a workaholic dad who—by way of some high-concept hook—learns to treasure his children again. Think Liar Liar, The Santa Clause, Click and now this middling summer entertainment, which at least avoids Norbit-esque overindulgence.

Meet Dave, er, Evan (Murphy), a divorced investment advisor who'd rather crunch numbers for his clients than hang with his 7-year-old daughter, Olivia (Yara Shahidi). But then dad discovers the kid receives reliable stock tips from the queen and princesses in her fantasyland, which she accesses via her security blanket.

Hoping to mine that golden finance advice, Evan spends more time with Olivia, and she puts him through the paces of singing, dancing and other silly stuff to placate her fairy-tale playmates. And to give Murphy an excuse to do his manic thing.

Shahidi is sweet, but not insufferably so, and establishes a warm rapport with Murphy, especially in presumably ad-libbed bonding scenes—making pancakes together and learning to sing. And Thomas Haden Church generates chuckles as Evan's rival, a pseudo shaman spewing mystic mumbo jumbo to impress the suits.

Young audiences might get bored by boardroom scenes and corporate speak, while adults might roll their eyes at overly familiar story devices (a crucial business meeting is scheduled at the same time as Olivia's school program!) and a glaring plot hole (Evan schemes to use the blanket without his daughter, but only she can see and hear her invisible pals).

Not so invisible is all the product placement. Really? Peddling Peet's Coffee and Red Bull to the kiddie crowd? What, no cigarettes? 

The 180—a Second Opinion: It's lovely to see thirtysomething actress Mel Harris again, even if she's only onscreen for, like, thirtysomething seconds.