Imagine That

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Who wishes Eddie Murphy would ankle the family comedy roles and go back to being just funny? Remember Trading Places? 48 Hours? Beverly Hills Cop? Coming To America? Boomerang had its moments. Bowfinger is ten years old this year. Leaving his voice role for Shrek aside, the former comedian hasn't had a hit in donkey's and Imagine That won't turn that tide. Maybe Murphy feels he isn't that funny anymore, which is why he plays the straight man here and leaves the comedy to Thomas Hayden Church.

Murphy plays investment consultant Evan, a workaholic who has no time to listen to his 7-year-old daughter Olivia's (Shahidi) flights of fancy about a magical land full of princesses and dragons. He should, though, because the princesses have some pretty sound advice when it comes to the market (don't ask how). When single dad Evan does eventually listen and take the tips on board, he makes a killing at work - something that rankles with rival Johnny Whitefeather (Hayden Church). But Evan needs to spend more time with his daughter, and not because she can make him successful.

Imagine That is a Nickelodeon movie, something that might pass the time waiting for the ice-cream van to come around on a Saturday afternoon. It's sweet, good-natured and has some genuinely nice moments, but kids will be bored with all the market shoptalk on show. It would also help if this kids movie was about the kid but this Murphy's story and wee Shahidi is pushed into the background. It would be something, too, if we could 'see' what little Olivia sees, but we don't: like Evan we have to use our imagination. This worked in a 2007's Bridge To Terabithia, but it doesn't here: Terabithia asked that audience to make believe in forests and tree huts, Imagine That asks the audience to that in Murphy's apartment. Not the same.

With Murphy playing it straight, Thomas Hayden Church takes up the challenge of being the funny guy in an unfunny movie. Speaking in Native American metaphors and mysticisms, Hayden Church veers from slightly amusing to downright annoying. But we're willing to give 'slightly amusing' the nod.