 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Imagine That
- Review Date: June 11, 2009
- PG
- Genre: Comedy
- 2009
Common Sense Media says
Sugary sweet father-daughter comedy is fine for families.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
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.
What's the story?
Evan (Eddie Murphy) is a successful investment manager who's up for a huge promotion. But the same week that he has to outperform his scene-stealing competitor Johnny Whitefeather (Thomas Haden Church) in client meetings, his ex-wife sends their daughter Olivia (Yara Shahidi) to stay with him. As the week progresses, it becomes clear that Olivia's special security blanket, "Goo Ga," and her imaginary princess friends are prescient about business deals. When Evan loosens up and starts believing in Olivia's unseen pals, it looks like he'll be a shoo-in for the big job.
Is it any good?
Murphy's live-action family films are hit (Dr. Dolittle) or miss (Meet Dave) -- IMAGINE THAT seems a bit more like the former than the latter. The premise is simple, the story is like a younger-skewing Bedtime Stories-meets-Bridge to Terabithia (minus all the special effects, since we never actually see Olivia's magical kingdom), and the manic Murphy quotient (how often his comedy goes way over the top) is kept to an amusing but not annoying level. Compared to some of Murphy's recent stinkers, this charming little father-daughter tale is perfect family matinee fare.
The main reason for the movie's appeal is the adorable chemistry between Murphy and Shahidi. The kid isn't just cute, but believably enchanting. Haden Church's Native American poser is funny half the time and borderline offensive the other, depending on the scene. His funniest bit (and perhaps the only laugh-out-loud moment in the movie) is when Whitefeather plies his son with Red Bull, covers him with a ceremonial Navajo blanket, and tries to extract financial prophecies. Silly and a bit stereotypical? Sure. Funny? Definitely.
What families can talk about
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's
fantasy world important because it helped Evan get ahead or because it
helped them bond?Families can also discuss the movie's Native American
jokes/references. Are they funny? Is humor based on stereotypes OK?
- Show:
- All members
- Parents
- Teens & kids
AGE
Seriously, can't it be clean language for the entire movie?
Won't let them see this one again. There is NO reason to use ANY foul language and yet, there you go...
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AGE
The movie itself was very cute and so funny! I watched it with my dad and he was like turning red and dying of laughter. It was all good and nothing bad (except some racism), but the language was kind of innapropriate. Crap, cut the crap, loads of crap, hell, shut up, stupida, and poop were used and even though (with the shows they watch) it's nothing new to your young ones, it's NOT setting a great example. Cut the language, and the movies fine for 6 and up.
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AGE
Little kid, and very stupid
Hate it. Very stupid and does not make sense.
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AGE
Eddie Murphy makes this movie a pretty funny and good movie.
Eddie Murphy stars in this funny,and sweet father-daughter film. I think that kids ages 5+ will like and enjoy this funny family film. I recommend this for kids who like Eddie Murphy and his funny movies. I gave this funny film a 3 out of 4 stars.
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AGE
perfect for any age
It was sooo hilarious its a great movie nothings bad its a most see
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AGE
it was cute
i want to buy the movie its cute funny not bad but 1 wth the rest its all good for 5 and up
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Kid, 10 years old
November 22, 2009
AGE
awesome
I love this movie ! Very age appropriate. FUNNYYYY
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AGE
cute movie
cute movie with a good moral although the dad is a little crazy in some parts including he almost steals something out of someones house after breaking into it i think it was a very appropriate movie
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Studio: | Paramount Pictures |
| Director: | Karey Kirkpatrick |
| Cast: | Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Yara Shahidi |
| Genre: | Comedy |
| Run time: | 100 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | June 12, 2009 |
| DVD release date: | October 6, 2009 |
| MPAA rating: | PG |
| MPAA explanation: | some mild language and brief questionable behavior |
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