Movie Review # 675: IF

Ladies, and gentlemen, now that I finished up watching, and reviewing the set of Planet Of The Apes movies that were released from 2011 through this year, 2024, we now review a more family-oriented movie that was just released about a month ago. This new film includes the voices of Steve Carrell, Emily Blunt, Phoebe-Waller Bridge, Louis Gossett Jr., as well as the actor that play human characters in this film such as Ryan Reynolds, John Krasinski (who also directed this film), and newcomer Carley Fleming. Presenting to you all my review of the new family film, IF!

Plot: 12-year-old Bea (Caley Fleming) moves into the apartment of grandmother (Fiona Shaw) in Mew York City, while her father (John Krasinski) waits for open heart surgery. One night, while there, she notices a creature roaming around the apartment complex she is at. When she eventually finds it, and finds a human living there, she discovers that the neighbor’s name is Cal (Ryan Reynolds), and that he’s sheltering a whole group of creatures called IFs (imaginary friends). The IFs are creatures that were imagined by other children, but were forgotten once those kids grew up. Now, can Bea, and Cal find new children for the IFs to become attached to before each creature becomes forgotten for good?

Well, the one thing that keeps this film from perfection is that the film may drag a little at times, particularly around the beginning, and maybe even part of the middle as well. Aside from that criticism, IF, which was directed by John Krasinski (whom, I’m sure many of us know as the actor that played Jim Halpert in the show, The Office), is really well done. After seeing the previews, I was expecting a film that seemed to act like a Muppets wannabe type of film. However, what we instead get is a surprisingly very deep, and mature story that both kids, and adults can relate to very much. IF tackles themes of loss, imagination, love, caring for others, and so much more. And what’s more, can we please be grateful for yet another film that has a more original story, as those kinds have started to diminish slowly, but surely? Seriously! Next, there are the characters! The humans, most notably Bea, and Cal, are really likable. The IF characters are also really well memorable. I mean to have Steve Carrell voicing the one called Blue, or Phoebe Waller-Bridge playing Blossom, the butterfly-like character, or even Emily Blunt voicing a unicorn character, the filmmakers chose wisely for the actors, and actresses that played each, and every single one of these characters. Also, the fact that John Krasinski made this film for his kids, that even shows how well he tried to make this film. The CGI on the IF characters was also well done. It not be quite the best, but the CGI designers still did well with designing the characters nonetheless. Same goes for the backgrounds, the cinematography, and more. Additionally, the music was great too. It is interesting to know that Mandy Moore did the choreography for the dance scenes that occurred in this film. Speaking of music, Michael Giacchino returns to yet another family film, and compose the score for this film. Okay, is it just me, or has Giacchino been known to score for family films that seem to have more mature family films? I mean if you think about it, he also scored for family films like Up, Inside Out, Coco, and even Zootopia to name a few. He sure knows how to make the perfect music for films that are family-oriented, and comedic, and yet have a little more serious tone. IF is no exception. In addition to all of this, the characters end up growing/maturing over the course of this film, and having to learn some very important lessons over the course of this film. This is especially true for characters such as Bea, her grandmother, her father, and more. Much can be taken from those characters, and this film overall because of that. What’s more is that IF is one of those films that will truly pull at your heartstrings, and your emotions overall. Yes, there is comedy. A great deal of comedy does accompany this film. It’s just that this film can be sad at times too. Finally, without hopefully giving anything away, IF has some surprises that are saved for near the end of the film. Again, I’ll leave it at that.

And that’s my review for IF. It is a creative film that deserves more attention. Even if mixed, or negative reviews have kept you from seeing this film, definitely take those arguments with a grain of salt, and see this film for yourself. If you want an original story with mature themes, and one that both children, and adults are going to enjoy, then all the more reason to see IF. By the end, you’ll be glad that you saw this film. You’ll also advise others to not judge a movie by its trailer after that as well. So, again, see this film, and see what you think!

Final Grade: A