Imagine That

Released: 2009

MPAA rating: PG

Run time: 1:47

When I first saw the trailers for "Imagine That", it seemed like a rip-off of Adam Sandler's "Bedtime Stories", even through they were pretty much made at the same time. The basic storyline is sort of similar: Evan Danielsen (Eddie Murphy) is a successful financial executive who, despite his success, has new-t0-the firm hot shot Johnny Whitefeather (Thomas Haden Church) chomping at his heels. The stress of this pressure and his parental responsibilities is getting to him when he discovers his daughter's (Nicole Ari Parker) drawings contain incredibly accurate information about upcoming financial news. As he leverages this information to get his reputation back, the question becomes: Does he love his daughter or is she just another investment tool? Murphy has become rather good at the family film thing, although many of his facial expressions and comedy are becoming a bit tired. Having said that, there were times in this film that I was begging for Murphy to do some more R-rated adult comedy that made him big in the first place. If you haven't figured this out yet, Thomas Haden Church's character is an American Indian. He speaks in allegory and legend when dispensing his wisdom. Although I am a fan of Church and he is not bad in this film, his being cast as an American Indian character is distracting at best. At worst, the character becomes an awful stereotype, which is sort of out of place in a family comedy. Despite not having high hopes going in, however, the movie was not all bad. It was funny at times and very warm at others. It was not quite as good as "Bedtime Stories", but it was not the "rip-off" I thought it would be, either.

Grade: C

Trailer: