Thursday, December 25, 2008

Movie review: Bedtime Stories

Kip Mooney

Expect the unexpected with Bedtime Stories. Just don’t set those expectations too high. This is Disney after all. Give them enough rope and they’ll hang themselves with their own whimsy and catering to children.

The film stars Adam Sandler as a handyman named Skeeter, whose stories for his niece and nephew magically come to life. While it could have suffered from a sugary coma, it may not spring to life fully, but it stays in a comfortable place.

Luckily, Adam Shankman, who recently transformed into a brilliant director with Hairspray and FunnyOrDie’s Prop. 8: The Musical, keeps the leash on Sandler short. Here, Sandler does not merely mug or resort to his man-boy shtick. His role as handyman and storyteller extraordinaire proves his best comedic performance in nearly a decade.

"A pyrocanthus by any other name is still not what this is."

Actually, the performances prove to be this film’s strong suit. There’s Guy Pearce, clearly having a ball as Skeeter’s nemesis Kendall, Tony winner Richard Griffiths as hotelier Barry Nottingham, and the immensely likable Keri Russell as love interest Jill. And, shock of all shocks, Russell Brand (Forgetting Sarah Marshall) stars as Skeeter’s best pal and co-worker Mickey. Still riffing on his wild-child persona, Brand remains hilarious, even in diluted PG form.

But this story doesn’t have a completely happy ending.

The writing, from relative newcomer Matt Lopez, and Tim Herlihy, the man behind most of Sandler’s films, including his most serious offenders (“Mr. Deeds” and “Little Nicky”), hovers between smirk-inducing and groan-inducing. At times, audience members may think that children not only wrote the stories Sandler spins, but also the film itself. How else to explain a giant snot monster, angry dwarves kicking Sandler in the shins, and random occurrences of the Hokey-Pokey?

"What is it with this crazy rodent?"

And the writing produces the film’s two biggest misfires: first, it relies too heavily on the kids’ precious little guinea pig, with its computer-generated googly eyes. The pet is cute for its first appearance or so, but when it starts busting a move, it breaks a cardinal rule: namely, if the movie isn’t subtitled “Electric Boogaloo,” it should feature no breakdancing.

Also, the six scariest words ever: Rob Schneider as a Native American. Yes, in Sandler’s cowboy tale, one of his perennial sidekicks shows up as a used car, er, horse dealer. Breakfast at Tiffany’s eat your heart out.

Still, this movie succeeds on its charm and upbeat message, and it’s perfect for families: kids will eat it up and parents won’t clamor too much. A satisfactory present.

In addition to being a huge movie fan, Kip Mooney is a Senior Staff Writer for UNT's North Texas Daily

Related stories

• Kids and family events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, May 13-19 (May 13, 2009)
• Movie review: Inkheart (Jan. 23, 2009)

See more stories in:

• Arts > Movies / Film > Mainstream Movies