Synopsis: While an uncle babysits his niece and nephew for a week he finds the bedtime stories they tell together are affecting his real life, by coming true.
Release Date: December 25, 2008 MPAA Rating: PG-13
Genre(s): Children and Family, Comedy
Film Review
Production
The film is highly entertaining, exciting and imaginative for both adults and children. The comedy works on a variety of levels and the visual and special effects are a joy for the eye to reckon. The underlining message of the use of imagination is refreshing and leaves the viewer wanting more of this magical world created through the eyes of children and adults alike.
Writing
Throughout the film the writing is entertaining and full of cute jokes everyone can appreciate. Both the children and the adults in the story are comically written with depth to their characters. Their is a charisma to the dialogue and an excitement by all involved that does not go unfelt by the viewer.
Special Effects
The effects in this film are visually stunning. The worlds created in the bedtime stories are so full of life and spectacle that the eye feasts upon them wildly. From Ancient Greece to a Galaxy far far away the computer generated worlds are impeccably done and highly realistic. There is not a moment where you do not believe you have been transported to these times and places.
The creation of creatures and animals is also top notch. The adorable and lovable Hampster Bugsy is delightful. With his big bug eyes and healthy appetite he appears lifelike at all times and generally funny in his actions. There are also the creatures of the future in space that are a creatively fun. One cannot soon forget the giant booger monster who makes an appearance and the way he floats around the screen. The mixture of the CGI and live action is incredible and the realness of it all keeps you in the story from start to finish.
Editing
The editing in this film is smooth and direct. The movement between reality and the fictional world is very fluid. There is one instance at the end of the movie that is excellently crafted where editing is concerned. As the stories are set to intertwine with reality the editing moves between the different locales and action with such a smooth grace that you hardly recognize the cut. It is not invisible but done so flawlessly that it may as well be as the matching on action is impeccable.
Chemistry
The entire cast of the film has a very distinct chemistry between them. Skeeter and the kids, Bobbi and Patrick, are absolutely adorable together. There is a bond that they develop as the story progresses which is felt by the viewer. The love of an Uncle to his Niece and Nephew is portrayed as heartfelt and honest while they bring out the humor in each other.
Another key duo in the film is Skeeter and Mickey, an unlikely pair of best friends. The two are hilarious together with their very different styles of comedy working together smoothly. It is definitely an odd couple at work but a great teaming nonetheless.
There is also the romance aspect of the film, between Skeeter and Jill. The relationship is antagonistic to begin with and entertaining to watch as the two of them attempt to find common ground in relation to the children and how they should be looked after. There is not much build up for their romance but when they are on screen together you can see how the opposites attract notion of love is present and undeniable.
Cast and Crew
- Director(s): Adam Shankman
- Producer(s): Matt LopezTim HerlihyMatt LopezAdam Sandler (Skeeter Bronson)
- Screenwriter(s): Keri Russell (Jill)Guy Pearce (Kendall)Russell Brand (Mickey)
- Story: Jonathan Morgan Heit (Patrick)
- Cast: Laura Ann Kesling (Bobbi)Richard Griffiths (Barry Nottingham)Teresa Palmer (Violet Nottingham) Lucy Lawless (Aspen)Courteney Cox (Wendy)Jonathan Pryce (Marty Bronson)Tom CostainMichael TronickMichael BarrettLinda DeScenna
- Editor(s): Rita Ryack
- Cinematographer: Rupert Gregson-WilliamsCinesite
- Production Designer(s): Mark Rappaport Creature Effects
- Costume Designer: Proof
- Casting Director(s): RotoFactoryLOOK! Effects
- Music Score: Lola Visual Effects
- Music Performed By: Alterian
- Country Of Origin: USA