IF - Movie Review

‘IF’ takes us straight into a little girls fantasy world where the surreal becomes real. Not only does the movie focus on the concept of imagination of a 12-year-old girl named Bea, but it also presents her with a magical experience with imaginary friends in which the girl goes through a journey of discovering true friendship, the meaning of family and the power of imagination in the process of healing. It is humorous in places but also at times vengeful which gives the cartoon a warm, philosophical feel of serendipity. It’s a story that simply suggests the spectator come back to the purity and innocence of the childlike love.

Cailey Fleming stands out in the role of Bea, innocent and believable. Justin Timberlake as Rich, and Ryan Reynolds as Cal also has an air of fun yet realistic note. The largest part of the main cast includes Steve Carell who as an awkward Blue, the main character’s imaginary friend, successfully conveys cuteness and childishness of the character.

IF is John Krasinski’s creative concept of the movie where f ACabious use of the polite’s (‘imagination’ factor works well in the light of the film’s sweet-spirited instead of saccharine motto. Krasinski brilliantly stages set pieces capturing childhood, while simultaneously educating the audience with a glimpse into his creative world.

The music appropriately soothes the high and dramatic themes and perfectly assists the surrealistic journey. It is both poignant and filled with hope, grounding the viewer in the emotions which are the film’s core.

Beautiful with striking colors and creative imagery, the film incorporates a dreamlike setting which enhances this fantasy’s realism. The visuals are mesmerizing, making the viewers feel like they are children who are dreaming big happy dreams.

Production design is excellent and offers very detailed graphics for easily visualizing the dreamy world of children. The different realms of these characters are created with so much imagination and drenched in nostalgia that they contribute to the magical atmosphere of the movie.

The special effects used in the movie are well combined to the storyline where imaginary friends come real in the world of ‘IF’. They add to the movie’s dreamlike atmosphere while not dominating the movie even when most of the shots are creative in their imagination. It sustains the lightness and darkness as appropriate and as required to provide continuity to Bea’s rather compelling story. This enables the viewer to be receptive to the motion picture’s intensive accumulation of sentiments whilst moving through Bea’s spirited escapade. It maintains the viewers’ interest, switching between suspense, humor, and warmth.

The conversations are also sweet that truly depict childhood and the friendship they have with their imagining creatures. It intertwines childishness with depth, as the movie has internalized themes of learning and renewal.

On the one hand ‘IF’ enchants with a creative story and vibrant illustrations but it might overemphasize on the romantic side leading to oversimplification of ideas. While the characters in ‘IF’ elicit a pleasant reminder of the childhood we wish to relive, some characters seem to be half-baked, and their part in the story is underutilised. It reawakens faith in the unseen and embrace the power of creativity as well as relation ship. All in all, I would like to mention some minor drawbacks nevertheless it is really sweet to watch and cherishes in the heart.