BEDTIME STORIES

ENGLISH - (U) - 31 December 2008 - Adventure/Comedy/Fantasy

Distributor: Buena Vista

Running time: about 100 mins.

Director: Adam Shankman

Producers: Adam Sandler, Andrew Gunn, Jack Giarraputo

Writers: Matt Lopez, Tim Herlihy

Casts: Adam Sandler, Keri Russell, Guy Pearce, Russell Brand, Richard Griffiths

Plot: Fantasy and reality collide when a hotel handyman, Skeeter Bronson (played by Adam Sandler) reluctantly agrees to look after his niece and nephew in order to help his sister out. To keep them quiet, he resorts to storytelling and in doing so, unwittingly opens the door to their vivid imaginations. Skeeter soon realises that the events in the fantasy world seemed to be strangely mirrored in his own life. Ultimately, the kids have the last laugh as it is their make-believe bedtime stories that magically come true, much to their uncle's surprise.

THE VERDICT:

Green Tea says:

WARNING SPOILER! Adam Sandler new outing in a comedy but more towards a famil friendly-oriented manner seems to fail to build up a good and strong essence of story. Inkheart is another type of similar premise of story comes alive but seems to have slightly over the edge of this movie. Although it was fun to see and cute to watch, the movie lacked of logical base story and relied too much on its awesomeness in effects, magic and fantasy.

Bedtime Stories, as like Inkheart tells a story of a hotel leader with an ability to tell a story and with a little addition from his nephews, the story of reality and fantasy becomes alive and reality in the next day. At the same time, a little conflict regarding the closure of the school his sister and the disagreement within the hotel management also forms some plot on the story.

Adam Sandler is always fun and entertaining. Credits for his natural humour and stand up comedic performance that he had. However, the characterization was again disappointing. Poor character development and audience didn't seem to get connected to the character that much. Still, it was a big assemble of casts we have here. Kudos for Keri Russell in her yet another praised performance as Jill. It would be something awkward to see Adam and her been a lovely couple though.

As mention earlier, the story was illogical and baseless, but contained highly imaginative and fantasy-adhered ride. It was an average result. The best thing was the fantasy story ranged from a different span of time - ancient Greek, Medieval Western and towards the future.

Needless to say, the effects were realistic and great. It provided little help in bringing the story alive. The cinematography was an okay standard to be compared with. The great CGIs helped to bring a vivid colour and atmosphere especially to the ending.

THE RATINGS.....

CAST - 3.0 stars

STORY - 2.5 stars

CINEMATOGRAPHY - 3.5 stars

EFFECTS - 3.5 stars

an overall >> 3.0 stars

GreenTea-O-Meter: 11.8