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Now here's a movie that provides a good opportunity to remind people that just because Ryan Reynolds is Ryan Reynolds, his name is much more than the raunchy comedies, horror flicks (yes, I said horror) and the character we all recognize him as probably best at this point, Deadpool. While I have to admit this wasn't anything great, it was kinda nice to see Reynolds take on that family-friendly tone again here, showing more range with his work, much like with 'The Adam Project.'

My apologies, however, this isn't a Ryan Reynolds biography. I just wanted to mention it because I feel like a lot of people will flock to this movie because of Ryan Reynolds without fully realizing how much of a children's film it really is. And because of that, I can't help but give it a bit of leeway on my criticisms. I left the film thinking that it could have been much better, and expecting a "family film" more than the "kid's film" it turned out to be. But honestly, that's fine. It wasn't made for us adults in mind, and these types of movies are few and far between these days. Let the kids have it.

The general synopsis involves Bea (Cailey Fleming) who's going through a bit of an 'Up'-like opening credit sequence, and it ends with her moving into her grandmother Margaret's (Fiona Shaw) apartment, while she waits for her father (John Krasinski - who also directs this far cry from 'A Quiet Place') to undergo heart surgery. She's 12 years old, and at that age where childhood starts slipping away, the more serious side of life starts being shown to her, and things start getting tough. That is until she encounters a strange creature, accompanying a strange man, whom she follows into her grandmother's apartment complex one day.

Eventually the man is revealed to be a former clown named Cal (Reynolds) who heads a failing base of operations in which he finds homes for "IFs" (Imaginary Friends) by attempting to pair them up with kids who may need them, as their original kids have grown up and forgotten about them. The main two are the poster creature for this film, a giant, fluffy, purple guy named Blue (Steve Carell), and an old black & white cartoon-style butterfly named Blossom (Phoebe Waller-Bridge). The rest is pretty much just about Bea helping Cal with his operation.

Along the way, Bea is introduced to several IFs, including a teddy bear named Lewis (Louis Gossett Jr.), who helps them both out and inspires Bea to use her imagination more, and the friendliest little kid named Benjamin (Alan Kim) who, if I'm perfectly honest, really does play a ray of sunshine in this movie. The kid is found with broken limbs in the hospital, and he just kinda jokes about falling a lot, perpetually seeing the bright side of life. He's basically where they start with trying to pair off IFs, and is very much a side character, but he'll leave you with a smile.

If I have any real criticisms about the film, its that a lot of the jokes kinda fall flat. I can honestly say that nothing here gave me a good, genuine laugh. Aside from that, there's a scene or two that seemingly comes out of the blue and feels nonsensical despite the fact that there IS a reason for the scene. This is heaviest in a scene in which Bea uses her imagination to rebuild a facility for the IFs. It kinda just turns into a music video for a while, and took me out of the movie despite how creative it got. It was a scene I had no idea how to react to.

Despite a few nitpicks and criticisms though, one must be reminded again that this IS a kid's film, depicting much more innocence than your average family film, which generally have a lesson or moral to in them. I think largely of Pixar films as an example. To me, this wasn't much more that a simple take on "don't grow up too fast" and "there's always room for imagination." It's all well and good for kids, but us adults won't get much more out of it than just being a sweet movie. It reminded me quite a bit of 'My Neighbour Totoro,' but Americanized. So take the kids and enjoy a bit of innocence. Just don't expect anything mind-blowing.

3/5

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