After Norbit, it’s a wonder why Eddie Murphy would team up again with director Brian Robbins to make another similar humour-strictly-for-children movie. And this is after his Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls too.

The only way one adult can enjoy this movie is to dumb down a little so that the logic-less storyline will not frustrate. Yes, the normal shutting-down of the brain is not enough here, otherwise a lot (and I do mean a lot) of questions will arise.

The saddest part was the inclusion of Elizabeth Banks in the line-up. Banks, after her rave reviews in Definitely, Maybe, definitely did not need something as sad as this in her repertoire.

And as for the other familiar faces, their talents were wasted. Sure they managed to bring out the occasional chuckle; but with an overall material this bad, so what?

But this movie was all about showing off Eddie Murphy as “Dave”. But why does Murphy keep going for roles like these. He’s not hungry for work. He’s not a has-been. Is it passion? For this?

There should be a clause for this movie saying “strictly for children”. Now that would achieve a different rating.

Rating: 3 / 10

(all images from imdb.com)