Gulliver's Travels

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If aimed squarely towards kids, I can almost see the attraction in this comedy; Black mugs like his life depends on it and the whole production screams 'festive family film'. That said, when broken down ever so slightly, this is an empty film that wastes the talents of some genuinely talented people. Why have Jason Segel, Emily Blunt and Billy Connolly in a film but give them nothing to do?

Black is Gulliver, a slacker in the mailroom of a major New York newspaper. He has a massive crush on Amanda Peet's travel editor but hasn't got the kahunas to ask her out. After finally plucking up the courage one day, he ends up balking and somehow bagging a job as a writer instead. Before he knows it, he's on a trip to the Bermuda Triangle, where he quickly messes up the sailing bit and finds himself in the world of Liliput - a strange land full of short-arses. Initially seen as somewhat of a monster, Gulliver saves the king's life and is then quickly embraced by the diminutive inhabitants. But Chris O' Dowd's General Edward has it in for him, and will stop at nothing to rid him from Liliput.

When watching Gulliver's Travels, I couldn't help but think of Night at the Museum. Obviously the setting and characters are completely different, but it is the same type of broad family flick that'll bring in the masses on account of its apparent mix of stars and cool effects. Those that find themselves plonked down alongside their offspring may ultimately be perplexed at the lack of laughs.

Black has always been the type of comedic player to shine when indulging in the offbeat. He's obviously got bags of energy and that can be infectious in flicks like School of Rock or High Fidelity. Both those films had strong directors in Richard Linklater and Stephen Frears, whereas 'Travels' is guided by the unsure hand of Rob Letterman. Having previously helmed the enjoyable Monsters Vs Aliens, his first live action film has few positives to mention.

Of the bunch, O'Dowd comes away with the spoils. Black has just played this type of role too many times before, and a normally stellar Segel is completely miscast.