Title: IF
MPA Rating: PG
Director: John Krasinski
Starring: Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, Phoebe Waller-Bridge
Runtime: 1 hr 44 mins

What It Is: In the world of a child’s imagination, their imaginary friend can be their first true, real friend. But what happens to these friends when their children grow up? When they are no longer needed? Bea (Fleming) gets the opportunity to find out when the upstairs neighbor of her grandmother (Fiona Shaw) is being followed around by a strange bee creature named Blossom (Waller-Bridge). This neighbor, Cal (Reynolds), shows her the world of the IF (imaginary friend) and introduces her to a big purple monster named Blue (Steve Carell). The three of them will try to help these IFs find their former children and perhaps bring a little bit of joy back to these adults, who may have lost a bit of themselves.

What We Think: This is such an odd film. It’s a children’s film. Made for children and there’s really nothing here for anyone outside of the kindergarten crowd. As an adult I wandered through this film confused and wondering why this film exists. I don’t know any children that are in my life that truly liked this and there’s nothing here for adults really. The message, that we still have a little bit of our inner child still there is ham-fisted and is trying really hard to make you feel things but sadly it just didn’t work.

Our Grade: C-, This is not an absolute failure; it’s just… not very good. John Krasinski started his career with A Quiet Place. That was one hell of a place to start. Unfortunately, this doesn’t hold up to that legacy in the least. It’s a mediocre children’s film, sadly devoid of enough substance to make it worthwhile on the first viewing, let alone for repeat viewings. I really don’t know why you’d bother with this. It might be fine for a mindless afternoon watch, but otherwise… meh.