Meet Dave (PG)
Not as crass as Norbit, but as forgettable.
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Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: Twentieth Century Fox
- Directed By: Brian Robbins
- Cast: Eddie Murphy, Gabrielle Union, Elizabeth Banks
- Running Time: 95 minutes
- Release Date: 07/11/2008
- Genre: Comedy
- MPAA Rating: PG
- MPAA Explanation: bawdy and suggestive humor, action and some language.
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that although this Eddie Murphy comedy is mostly inoffensive, the alien characters display some off-putting stereotypes about gay men, women, and African Americans. The jokes aren't crass -- they're just cliched and stupid (for example, liking showtunes means you're flamboyantly homosexual, being black means you love rap, etc.). Otherwise, there's some scatological humor, a couple scenes of mild violence, some mild drinking and language, and a whole lot of product placements.
Families can talk about what humans teach the miniature aliens. How does being on Earth affect them? How do Gina and Josh change from knowing Dave? Discuss some of the stereotypical behavior in the film. Is it offensive or funny?
Families can talk about what humans teach the miniature aliens. How does being on Earth affect them? How do Gina and Josh change from knowing Dave? Discuss some of the stereotypical behavior in the film. Is it offensive or funny?
Message
Social Behavior:
On the one hand, aliens realize that Earthlings aren't all evil and worth destroying, and a timid boy acts courageously. But on the other hand, there are several off-putting sterotypes: After hearing a showtune, one alien exhibits flamboyant homosexual stereotypes; a female alien starts trashtalking about other women's weight; a black alien starts listening to rap, commenting on women's behinds, etc.
Consumerism:
One scene is practically an Old Navy commercial; another takes place in an Apple store. There are several references to Internet companies like Google, Yahoo!, MySpace, etc. Other product placements include Heinz ketchup and the Broadway musical A Chorus Line.
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Adults have mojitos at a restaurant; aliens consume the alcohol that "Dave" drinks.
Violence
"Dave" gets struck by a car, and his "ankle" looks broken. There's an armed takeover of the Dave spaceship and a shootout between Dave and the NYPD. An alien tries to destroy earth, but it's more comical than scary.
Sex
Mild flirting, hugging, and one kiss. An alien remarks on a woman's behind.
Language
Mild: "damn it," "ass," etc.
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Sandie Angulo Chen
Eddie Murphy is the captain of a crew of miniature aliens that arrive on Earth in a ship formed exactly like a human-sized Eddie Murphy. On a mission to find a lost orb that can drain the oceans of salt, the human-like ship is accidentally struck by a single mother's (Elizabeth Banks) car. It turns out the driver's son knows who has the orb, so the alien-filled ship, now called "Dave Ming Chang," hangs out with the two humans until the rock can be retrieved. But the more the aliens are around humans, the less willing some of them are to rid Earth of its oceans.
Is it any good?
DAVE's ludicrous plot doesn't really matter. What does matter is why director Brian Robbins and Murphy reunited (Norbit was their last collaboration) for another completely forgettable, formulaic movie. There's no doubt that Murphy is a gifted comedian. So it's sad to see that he apparently gives zero thought to his film choices, making any comedy that will get his face on a billboard.
The tiny-aliens idea starts somewhat originally, but the jokes quickly turn to the stupid and stereotypical: A crew member sees a minute of the Broadway show A Chorus Line and starts acting flamboyantly gay, a black alien starts rapping and staring at women's behinds, the engineer becomes obsessed with social networking. And then there's the scene in which "Dave" excretes cash in an Old Navy dressing room. Is that the best that humanity has to offer?
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Parents and kids say
All Reviews
There are 7 reviews.
Very funny
Posted on 07/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15
Age 5+
Posted on 07/12/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Adult Reviews
There are 2 reviews.
Age 5+
Posted on 07/12/08 by Anonymous Adult contributor
Kids Reviews
There are 5 reviews.
Very funny
Posted on 07/17/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 15
What do your kids do online?
Surf
37%
Homework and research
19%
Download music
5%
Chat with friends
40%
63 votes