Tooth Fairy

This was another silly time filler I decided to spend time watching with my movie theatre working friend. It stars Dwayne Johnson as a hockey player who gets the title nickname because of the teeth he knocks out when he scores. But when he nearly tells the daughter of a woman he's dating (Ashley Judd) what he thinks of that fairy tale, he gets summoned by a caseworker named Tracy (Stephen Merchant) to the head of Tooth Fairyland (Julie Andrews) for a two week penance of becoming one. Billy Crystal shows up as someone who provides all the material to become the tooth fairy. I'll stop there and just say there's some funny moments between Crystal and Johnson and quite a few with the former Rock and this Tracy person. And Andrews brings some stern yet gentle authority to her role. And there are some good lessons for the kiddies in the audience. So in summation, no great shakes, but Tooth Fairy is okay filler for 90 or so minutes...

Dwayne Johnson proves once again, that he is more than just muscles. And his eyebrow of course. He can jump from action into a kids movie just like that. Something a few stars in the 80s had big problems with (at least commercially speaking).

And this movie delivers. It never set out to be, the best movie in the world. It is there to entertain. And entertain it does. The viewing experience get enhanced if you watch it with teenagers or kids. They will just love the movie. And so will you, if you watch it with them.

Of course it is very predicable and it has a few other flaws too. But the charisma of Dwayne, the wit of Merchant and the overall good design of the movie, might make you forget about that. Just relax, sit back and enjoy.

There's quite a lot to like in this fun comedy, but I'm an adult who usually goes for Tarantino or Fellini. There's also quite a lot that is a bit painful. One liners playing on the word 'tooth' for starters!

There's some inspired casting - not just the Rock but Stephen Merchant and Julie Andrews. It was Merchant, all 6'7" (his character has him as 6'9"!) ganglyness of him as Dwayne Johnson's (The Tooth Fairy) fairy probation officer that kept me watching. Andrews, as the Fairy Godmother (the boss of the Tooth service) is a nice touch.

Johnson, in bright blue tutu, tights and wings looks ridiculous, of course and sends it up well. Kids will find his miniaturisation and other grotesque special effects funny and engaging.

I'm not usually in a habit of watching kid's films (I have none to share it with) but as it was on Sky Movies, thought I'd give it a try. It's generally likable, most kids will enjoy it, but you won't find me buying it on DVD.

This is a cute film. I enjoyed it. I think it did what it was supposed to do, it made me laugh and was easy to watch. One of the few bad things I have to say about it is that it's formulaic, a little long and you know what the outcome will be before it gets there. Regardless of that, Dwayne, Julie, Billy and the English fellow do their part to make the film worth while, while Ms. Judd and the child actors make the story come together. There's a fair amount of whimsy and reality which makes it great for children and adults who are children at heart, the little cameo by Seth Macfarlane doesn't hurt either. All it in all it's not the best, but it's not the worst.

Looking at the low rating and the reviews, I saw Tooth Fairy expecting very little. I actually got a movie that was better than expected. Sure it has got flaws, the story is thin and formulaic, some of the script while having some nice laughs in it is rather silly at times and some scenes are a little rushed, the ending especially could've had more time to breathe. However, the film does look very nice, the scenery and cinematography are quite striking and while not award-worthy the effects don't do much to harm the film. The soundtrack also has a magical sensation to it, the film is cute and has some nice messaging and morals without feeling too forced or sugary sweet and the cast including Dwayne Johnson(surprisingly good), Ashley Judd and my favourite Julie Andrews give it their all. In conclusion, a decent little movie that doesn't try to be any more than it is. 7/10 Bethany Cox