Spring Break
Imagine That amuses a family audience
By: Megan Clark
Issue date: 6/16/09 Section: Features
As a child, it's expected for you to let your imagination run wild, but what happens when an imaginary world dictates your business success?
In Imagine That, absent father Evan Danielson, played by Eddie Murphy (The Haunted Mansion), is obsessively wrapped up in the success of his career. When his ex-wife leaves their 7-year-old daughter Olivia, played by Yara Shahidi, in his hands for about a week, Danielson is forced to deal with their daughter's obsession with a security blanket that she calls her "Goo-Gaa." Her blanket links her to an imaginary kingdom where her best friends, three princesses and a queen, give her advice about anything and everything.
In an effort to help out her stressed father, Olivia shares the princesses' opinions on his business transactions, which surprisingly end up bringing him success. Attempting to beat out his main competition, Johnny Whitefeather, an obnoxious Native American played by Thomas Haden Church, he explores his daughter's world and their relationship grows stronger. When confronted with the opportunity to advance at work or be at Olivia's choir concert, Danielson takes a bold leave of absence to support his daughter and prove his love.
Light-heartedly comical, this movie offers a genuine message with no moments of boredom. Eddie Murphy's sense of humor keeps the audience constantly engaged. Whether he is singing a silly song to get past an imaginary dragon or doing a dance to enter the queen's ball, Murphy delivers clean comedy and a relatable message fit for families everywhere.
The comfort of the blanket reminds the audience of the insecurities and innocence of childhood. Viewers can identify with the inability to revert back to our childhood and Danielson's desire to change and enjoy Olivia's world the way she does. We understand the intrigue of self-advancement, but we still scream for a more fatherly attitude to emerge from our main character. The dramatic irony gives way to our knowledge that he will get his fatherhood right in the end.
In Imagine That, absent father Evan Danielson, played by Eddie Murphy (The Haunted Mansion), is obsessively wrapped up in the success of his career. When his ex-wife leaves their 7-year-old daughter Olivia, played by Yara Shahidi, in his hands for about a week, Danielson is forced to deal with their daughter's obsession with a security blanket that she calls her "Goo-Gaa." Her blanket links her to an imaginary kingdom where her best friends, three princesses and a queen, give her advice about anything and everything.
In an effort to help out her stressed father, Olivia shares the princesses' opinions on his business transactions, which surprisingly end up bringing him success. Attempting to beat out his main competition, Johnny Whitefeather, an obnoxious Native American played by Thomas Haden Church, he explores his daughter's world and their relationship grows stronger. When confronted with the opportunity to advance at work or be at Olivia's choir concert, Danielson takes a bold leave of absence to support his daughter and prove his love.
Light-heartedly comical, this movie offers a genuine message with no moments of boredom. Eddie Murphy's sense of humor keeps the audience constantly engaged. Whether he is singing a silly song to get past an imaginary dragon or doing a dance to enter the queen's ball, Murphy delivers clean comedy and a relatable message fit for families everywhere.
The comfort of the blanket reminds the audience of the insecurities and innocence of childhood. Viewers can identify with the inability to revert back to our childhood and Danielson's desire to change and enjoy Olivia's world the way she does. We understand the intrigue of self-advancement, but we still scream for a more fatherly attitude to emerge from our main character. The dramatic irony gives way to our knowledge that he will get his fatherhood right in the end.
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