Imagine That (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

Sugary sweet father-daughter comedy is fine for families.

parents & educators say

42% say language is an issue

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.

Positive messages: Putting your family first is really the plot of this film.

Positive role models: Evan, a workaholic dad, finally bonds with his daughter and decides to
make her the top priority in his life. On the other hand, for most of
the movie, he uses her special blanket's magical skills to further his
career, even resorting to stealing security blankets to attempt to make
his own connection with the princesses.Native American culture is referenced, in many cases for a laugh. The
character who acts like a Native American is exposed to be a fraud.

Violence & 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, & smoking: Not applicable.

Our ratings and reviews are informed by child development guidelines. Learn more.

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

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?

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.

Movie themes & details

Themes

magic and fantasy

Movie Details

Studio: Paramount Pictures
Director: Karey Kirkpatrick
Cast: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Yara Shahidi
Genre: Comedy
Run time: 100 minutes
Theatrical release: June 12, 2009
DVD release: October 6, 2009
MPAA Rating: PG
MPAA explanation: some mild language and brief questionable behavior

Watch our review

This review was written by Sandie Angulo Chen

Review It

What parents & educators say

Based on 12 parent & educator reviews:

42% say language is an issue

Read the reviews

Most useful reviews by all members

sona622
teen, 14 years old

Little kid, and very stupid

Hate it. Very stupid and does not make sense.

What other families should know

Movie Details

Starring

Genre

Imagine That (PG, 2009)

common sense media says

parents & educators say

What parents need to know

More on Imagine That

What to talk about

Talk to your kids

What's the story?

What's the story?

Is it any good?

Is it any good?

Movie themes & details

Themes

Movie Details

Watch our review

Review It

Review Imagine That

What parents & educators say

Most useful reviews by all members

Little kid, and very stupid

Seriously, can't it be clean language for the entire movie?

Eddie Murphy makes this movie a pretty funny and good movie.

perfect for any age

it was cute

awesome

cute movie

good family movie

Message meant for adults

Great movie for the whole family!

a movie for the family

Great Family Flick

Cute Movie for Daughter and Father Days

So sweet!

comedy feel - good slapstick

More reviews ...

An independent voice for families

Age-appropriate reviews

Advice on the big issues

vote now

Will you see Imagine That?

Already seen it? What do you think?

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

More father-daughter movies

For kids who love full-fledged fantasies

Browse more movies

About our rating system

Browse our library of reviews

See what our editors recommend