Movie Review: Imagine That

Movie Review: Imagine That                                                                                                            2-17-23

Imagine That tells the story of a divorced father named Evan Danielson. Evan is a successful financial advisor, but his world is turned upside-down when newer employee Johnny Whitefeather is hired as his rival. It gets worse when his daughter Olivia is becoming wrapped in fantasy with her special blanket, affectionately called a ‘goo-gaa’. However, Olivia loves her goo-gaa, and screams her lungs out whenever it’s taken away. Evan’s ex-wife Trish advises him that he should take care of Olivia for a week. When Evan takes Olivia to work, he discovers that she has a special talent of predicting within the financial world by playing with her goo-gaa and talking to her imaginary friends. By spending time with Olivia, Evan not only becomes the talk of the town, but also learns how to be a better daughter.

Imagine That may not have the most original story and has a message that has been done many times about an overworked father learning to appreciate his children (think Mary Poppins or Hook), but the film overcomes this with strong acting, a good score from the talented Mark Mancina, and an imaginative world that is never even seen.

Olivia helping make pancakes with unconventional toppings.

While other films like Bridge to Terabithia and Middle School: Worst Years of My Life would visualize imaginary worlds, Olivia’s world, ruled by Queen Qwali and her three daughters, is never seen. There’s a pet dragon, a detour through France, and mermaids who like to eat popcorn balls. None of these is visualized, so it’s up to the viewer’s imagination to see what Qwali and the princesses look like.

If I were to critique one thing, I feel that Imagine That drags on longer than it should. With a running time of 107 minutes, this movie easily outlasts every other mainstream animated movie that year!

In conclusion, Imagine That is definitely not best of the year, but it doesn’t deserve a Razzi nomination, either (which it did). In fact, this is a move that’s perfect for Father’s Day if you’re sick of Finding Nemo or A Goofy Movie. Imagine That is also a lot of fun for those who enjoyed Will Ferrall making a fool out of himself in Elf, as Eddie Murphy, who plays Evan in this film, does similar antics.

Rating: 3 stars out of 5.