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Imagine That
Metascore
54 out of 100

Mixed or average reviews - based on 23 Critics

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 23
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 23
  3. Negative: 3 out of 23
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  1. TV Guide
    Reviewed by: Perry Seibert
    88
    By no means a landmark, but it is a remarkably pleasant surprise -- so few movies aimed for the whole family show an understanding of why it's actually healthy to pretend.
  2. Baltimore Sun
    Reviewed by: Michael Sragow
    75
    Superior family fare.
  3. The Hollywood Reporter
    Reviewed by: Kirk Honeycutt
    70
    The result is a much more playable film than recent efforts, though Murphy will have to share the applause with young Yara Shahidi.
  4. Variety
    Reviewed by: Joe Leydon
    70
    An undemandingly pleasant, mildly amusing fantasy.
  5. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Joe Morgenstern
    70
    Mr. Murphy rises to every occasion, not only with the crisp wit that has long been his hallmark, but with restraint and tenderness that serve him well.
  6. Washington Post
    Reviewed by: John Anderson
    70
    It's refreshing that in effects-happy Hollywood, Evan and Olivia only imagine their travels, rather than run a gantlet of computerized hallucinations. This may turn out to be one of the more endearing aspects of Imagine That to its younger audiences.
  7. Chicago Reader
    Reviewed by: Andrea Gronvall
    70
    Eddie Murphy strikes the right balance between silliness and pathos in this screwball family comedy.
  8. Austin Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Marc Savlov
    67
    All in all, Imagine That is an amiable detour from its star's usual scatological skronk. Kids will empathize, parents will breathe a sigh of relief.
  9. Chicago Sun-Times
    Reviewed by: Roger Ebert
    63
    Amusing without ever being break-out funny.
  10. Chicago Tribune
    Reviewed by: Gary Goldstein
    63
    Despite an overly broad third act, one can't fault the film's message of family unity, underscored by a memorable use of the Beatles' "All You Need Is Love."
  11. Philadelphia Inquirer
    Reviewed by: Carrie Rickey
    63
    While Imagine That falls short of its feel-good aim, its feel-nice vibe is a good Father's Day diversion for Dads and their spawn.
  12. New Orleans Times-Picayune
    Reviewed by: Mike Scott
    63
    Twenty-five years ago, it would have been impossible to imagine that Imagine That would see Eddie Murphy and The Beatles coming together to create family entertainment, but I'll be darned if it doesn't work.
  13. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Joe Neumaier
    60
    For the first time since "The Nutty Professor," Eddie Murphy successfully mixes his adult and kid-film personas -- imagine that.
  14. Empire
    Reviewed by: Chris Hewitt
    60
    Genuinely sweet and endearing Murphy film, at last.
  15. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Nick Pinkerton
    60
    Imagine That does manage to get a crowd tearing up on cue for its emotional climax; as much as it works, it's through the personal charm of Murphy and Shahidi.
  16. Entertainment Weekly
    Reviewed by: Owen Gleiberman
    58
    There's something sweet about the way that Murphy throws himself into this piffle. Thomas Haden Church does too.
  17. San Francisco Chronicle
    Reviewed by: Amy Binacolli
    50
    The plot turns distasteful and shrill before its tidy resolution at the close.
  18. USA Today
    Reviewed by: Claudia Puig
    50
    Though Imagine That's message is benign, its adult focus is off-base, and every move feels too familiar, formulaic and telegraphed.
  19. Boston Globe
    Reviewed by: Wesley Morris
    50
    Eddie Murphy in another mediocre family comedy? Imagine that.
  20. The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
    Reviewed by: Liam Lacey
    50
    An Eddie Murphy comedy that's actually endearing.
  21. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Kyle Smith
    25
    Cutesy? My pain was acutesy as the entire plot yawned before me.
  22. ReelViews
    Reviewed by: James Berardinelli
    25
    Watching Imagine That, I was beset by a feeling of intense depression. Is this what Eddie Murphy has become?
  23. The A.V. Club
    Reviewed by: Scott Tobias
    25
    Though he commits to a lot of embarrassing silliness, Murphy projects so little genuine warmth that his transformation barely registers.
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User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
5.5 out of 10

Mixed or average reviews- based on 15 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 3 out of 9
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 9
  3. Negative: 3 out of 9
  1. TheQuietGamer
    7
    A fun family movie that will have you laughing until the end, while the story and the lesson being taught are predictable, it's the humor that sets it apart, while it may not do much new it's still an enjoyable movie for the family.… Full Review »
  2. JayH
    5
    Way too cute for my taste. Eddie Murphy does try, but with material as sappy as this it doesn’t do much good. It is filled with cliches, I lost interest about halfway through. I was not impressed.… Full Review »
  3. DonnaW
    5
    Funny, light-hearted but predictable outcome. Vanessa Williams performance is pretty lackluster.
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