Delivers A Lot Of Heart And Reminds Us To Keep The Magic Alive
Published: May 21, 2024
By: Kennedy P., KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9
From writer and director John Krasinski, IF is about a girl who discovers that she can see everyone’s imaginary friends — and what she does with that superpower — as she embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids. IF stars Cailey Fleming, Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski, Fiona Shaw, and the voices of Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr. and Steve Carell alongside many more as the wonderfully unique characters that reflect the incredible power of a child’s imagination.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic Kennedy P. comments, “I love the film IF. It delivers a lot of heart and teaches everyone to keep the magic alive. It is fun, silly and had me shedding a tear in the theater and thinking about my childhood and imaginary friend. The cast is outstanding and the CGI work is so impressive. This movie will bring you right back to your childhood in all the most magical ways.” See her full review below.
IF
Kennedy P.
KIDS FIRST! Film Critic, age 9
Official Trailer:
I love the film IF. It delivers a lot of heart and teaches everyone to keep the magic alive. It is fun, silly and had me shedding a tear in the theater and thinking about my childhood and imaginary friend.
In the film Bea (Cailey Fleming) discovers she can see everyone’s imaginary friends and embarks on a magical adventure to reconnect forgotten IFs with their kids. Bea has gone through a lot and is forcing herself to grow up and then, she meets Cal (Ryan Reynolds) and re-discovers her belief in the unbelievable. Bea needed a distraction as life was getting tougher for her and helping these imaginary friends is just what she needed.
IF is a fantastic film that is perfect for the entire family. The cast is outstanding and the CGI work is so impressive. This movie will bring you right back to your childhood in all the most magical ways. Cailey Fleming is remarkable. Her relationship onscreen with Ryan Reynolds is magical — they get along perfectly and you can feel their natural connection. John Krasinski’s role as Bea’s father is amazing — he is silly, loving and fun, and does not want Bea to give up on being a child. He jokes around with her a lot throughout the movie, even when she tells him to stop. His response is “never.” John Krasinski not only stars in the film, but he wrote and directed it as well. The IF’s are designed so well and there is something special about each one of them. They look so real on the screen and I fell in love with them immediately. Cailey’s performance is terrific when she interacts with the IF’s that obviously were not really there during filming.
The film’s message deals with healing yourself and creating distractions when life gets difficult. It reminds us to never lose the joy in life — keep the magic alive and believe in the unbelievable. It is about family, friendship and always having someone who is there for you, even if you have to make believe. The movie is the perfect length and never drags.
I give IF 5 out of 5 stars and recommend it for ages 8 to 12, plus adults. You can watch IF in theaters on May 17, 2024.