Common Sense Media Review
By Sandie Angulo Chen
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Not as crass as Norbit, but as forgettable.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 9+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
Meet Dave
Parent and Kid Reviews
Based on 3 parent reviews
Based on 26 kid reviews
Kids say that this movie has an interesting premise with a comedic approach aimed at children, featuring Eddie Murphy as a robot controlled by tiny humans. While some viewers find it enjoyable and funny for family movie nights, others criticize its poor acting, lackluster plot, and occasional inappropriate content, leading to mixed reviews overall.
- interesting premise
- family friendly
- mixed reviews
- humorous moments
- poor acting
Summarized with AI
Summarized with AI
What's the Story?
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?
Talk to Your Kids About ...
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?
Movie Details
- In theaters : July 11, 2008
- On DVD or streaming : November 24, 2008
- Cast : Eddie Murphy , Elizabeth Banks , Gabrielle Union
- Director : Brian Robbins
- Inclusion Information : Black Movie Actor(s) , Female Movie Actor(s)
- Studio : Twentieth Century Fox
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Robots
- Run time : 95 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- MPAA explanation : bawdy and suggestive humor, action and some language.
- Last updated : October 9, 2025
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