MOVIE REVIEW: IF

After discovering she can see everyone's imaginary friends, a girl embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids.

Director: John Krasinski

Cast: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, Alan Kim, Liza Colón-Zayas, Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., Steve Carell

Release Date: May 17, 2024

Genre: Action, Adventure, Sci-Fi

Rated PG for thematic elements and mild language.

Runtime: 1h 44m

Review:

John Krasinski’s first foray into family films, IF, has plenty of ideas for its saccharine sweet story but its unfocused nature keeps it from really being something special.  Krasinski's film does have a certain earnestness that's endearing enough to carry the film through some of the film's slower moments.  However, there is a somber undercurrent that pervades the film's narrative as it deals with the trauma of loss and grief which stands in contrast to the candy-colored visuals onscreen.  It works in sections but for a film that's only an hour and forty-four minutes it feels decidedly longer than it actually is because it can't maintain a consistent rhythm.  It’s a shame because you're left feeling there's a better film in there somewhere if Krasinski had focused on the original trauma angle and storyline instead of pivoting to rediscovering your inner child theme in the back half of the film.  Story issues aside he's blessed with a game ensemble cast of Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Steve Carrell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge doing solid work throughout.  Fleming has a likable screen presence throughout which makes her easily relatable as we follow her journey.   Reynolds plays against his usual sarcastic type here playing more of a straight man against the CGI creations that pepper the screen.  Steve Carrell and Phoebe Waller-Bridge carry the lion's share of the voice work as the imaginary friends who get the most screen time with both doing strong work even if their characters could have benefited from some added depth.  Louis Gossett Jr. manages to leave a strong paternal impression with his final screen credit as an elderly teddy bear who sets up a retirement home for forgotten Ifs.  A bevy of other A listers voice cameo as other Ifs which makes for a fun game of whose who as they pop up onscreen.  You can't deny that IF has its heart in the right place and it delivers some emotional punch in spots, but it proves to be more of a middling experience when compared to something like Monsters Inc. which covers some of the same territory.

B-

MOVIE REVIEW: ENOLA HOLMES

While searching for her missing mother, intrepid teen Enola Holmes uses her sleuthing skills to outsmart big brother Sherlock and help a runaway lord.

Director: Harry Bradbeer

Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Adeel Akhtar, Fiona Shaw, Frances de la Tour, Louis Partridge, Susie Wokoma, Helena Bonham Carter

Release Date: September 23, 2020

Adventure, Crime, Drama

Rated PG-13 for some violence

Runtime: 2h 3m

Review:

Enola Holmes has all the trappings of a young adult franchise starter.  It’s based off a popular series of books which introduces us to Sherlock Holmes sister.  The film is a fun ride that focuses more on the titular character than the central mystery.  Harry Bradbeer directs the film with a slightly kinetic energy which borrows some elements from Guy Ritchie’s Sherlock Holmes modern reinvention.  The action is fast and fun, filled with quick cuts coupled with fourth wall breaking addresses to the audience.  It all could have been rather forgettable and inconsequential if it weren’t for a game cast.  Millie Bobby Brown carries the film with a star turn that’s even more engaging than her breakout role in Stranger Things.  Here she’s allowed to let loose and she takes full advantage of it, proving to be an effervescent performer whose charisma shines through the entire film.  It helps that she's surrounded by a stellar supporting cast with the likes of Henry Cavill, the burliest Holmes ever, Sam Claflin and Helena Bonham Carter peppered throughout.  Each of them has their moment to shine throughout the film but it’s clearly Brown’s film.  Sadly, the central mystery is more of an afterthought as it’s never as engaging or interesting as the characters.  Still it’s a flaw that could be corrected in future installment that are sure to come.

B