GNN's film critics braved the human world to see IF, a tale of imaginary friends gone wild. The film boasts impressive 3D rendering, particularly the mesmerizing fur physics of a giant purple monster. The plot leaves much to be desired.
The story is a confusing blend of Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends and Monsters, Inc., set in New York City, and it is slow. Most of the running time is spent withholding information from the audience, building artificial tension that fizzles when the predictable twist finally arrives.
The lead, a 12-year-old girl with a penchant for silence and staring at old photographs, is overshadowed by a cast of dysfunctional adults and bickering imaginary creatures. The supporting cast is solid; their characters are underdeveloped and forgettable.
The film's saving grace is the animation team's work on the big purple fuzzball. Its fur is so lifelike that it practically jumps off the screen and demands to be petted, or shaved and made into a luxurious coat.
GNN awards IF 2/10. Both points go to the team responsible for the fur. We also nominate the film's extras for a Gobby Award for portraying normalcy in the face of a mind-numbingly boring plot.
IF is a feast for the eyes and a famine for the soul. Spend your gold on a fermented mushroom tasting or a mud wrestling tournament instead.
Our critic left at the halfway point. An update will follow if they go back.
