Murphy struggles to find work in other genres, but given the way he indulges himself with funny faces and voices, it's equally possible that he genuinely likes acting alongside children.
Comment
09/17/09
Imagine That (2009)
38
%
Tomatometer
How does the Tomatometer work 
Reviews Counted:104
Fresh:39
Rotten:65
Average Rating:4.8/10
Consensus: Despite a promising turn by newcomer Yara Shahidi, Imagine That is another pedestrian family comedy that squanders Eddie Murphy's comedic talents.
Australian Theatrical Release:
Sep 3, 2009 Wide
US Box Office: $16,088,610
Synopsis: In Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Movies’ family comedy “Imagine That,” Eddie Murphy stars as a successful financial executive who has more time for his blackberry than his seven-year-old... [More]
Starring: Eddie Murphy, Thomas Haden Church, Nicole Ari Parker, Ronny Cox
Director: Karey Kirkpatrick
Reviews for Imagine That
Top CriticAn uncharacteristically restrained performance by Eddie Murphy, a sharply funny supporting role filled by Thomas Haden Church, and a beguiling new child actor, Yara Shahidi, make this fantasy-comedy about the power of imagination agreeable enough.
09/16/09
Top CriticHam fisted and formulaic, Imagine That nevertheless has some endearing qualities to save it from the trash can %u2013 notably Yara Shahidi, the cute little bundle whose smartly innocent presence and likeable little face are so loved by the camera that dir
09/15/09
Top CriticEddie Murphy, in his hyperactive comedic guise, is in fine fettle in this family-friendly comedy, although he is largely upstaged by his enchanting 7 year old co-star Yara Shahidi, who steals scenes as quickly as Murphy talks.
09/15/09
Top CriticImagine That is an embarrassment from which only Thomas Haden Church emerges unscathed, because he is the only one to commit fully to his eccentric character.
10/01/09
Top CriticTwenty years ago it would've been hard to imagine that the typical formula for an Eddie Murphy vehicle would have changed so dramatically.
08/31/09
It's a sad reflection on Eddie Murphy's career that the best thing you can say about Imagine That is that there aren't any fat suits.
08/30/09
[A] characteristically laboured comedy.
08/17/09
It’s anodyne stuff and not funny enough.
08/17/09
Imagine That is a sweet surprise of a film that goes some way to restoring Murphy’s reputation.
08/14/09
Top CriticMurphy at least tries to stay in character rather than overdoing the silly voices and physical knockabout, but maybe the material was so blah that he felt it wasn’t worth the effort.
08/14/09
Short of laughs, sense and morality, this is an awkward, peculiar, peculiarly American, endeavour.
08/14/09
You’re left with the feeling that the film-makers don’t see a conflict between the profit motive and paternal love.
08/14/09
Top CriticThere really isn't a spark of genuine humour or life in the entire thing, and the movie grinds its way to a syrupy finale.
08/14/09
Top CriticYet another example of a movie that's had all the life sucked out of it by the Hollywood studio system. In the end it isn't very funny, clever or engaging.
08/14/09
Ultimately, if you want to watch a dire attempt at comedy revolving around a misguided father and troubled daughter then go off and rent Curly Sue. It's a cut above Imagine That, but that's hardly a compliment.
08/14/09
The dubious combination of business, buffoonery and child manipulation makes Imagine That a tough sell.
08/14/09
It’s a novel premise, but an unworkable one.
08/14/09
Ultimately it’s an inoffensive tale that comes with a simple moral message.
08/14/09
Bizarrely charmless and misconceived from start to finish, it represents yet another nail hammered into the coffin of Eddie Murphy's career.
08/14/09
Latest News for Imagine That
June 24, 2009:
Paramount's Woes Highlighted in Report 
In the wake of Eddie Murphy's "Imagine That" -- and a subsequent shakeup at the studio -- an analyst has released a scathing report on Paramount Pictures. More...
June 13, 2009:
Worthwhile, as long as you're willing to watch Eddie Murphy play the straight man.
More...
June 11, 2009:
Critics Consensus: Pelham 1 2 3 Doesn't Quite Take
This week at the movies, we've got a railway heist (The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3, starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta) and some magical financial advice (Imagine That,... More...
June 11, 2009:
Box Office Guru Preview: Travolta Faces Off With Denzel in 1 2 3
Two A-listers duke it out in North American multiplexes in the new action thriller The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 starring Denzel Washington and John Travolta which will challenge... More...
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