Bedtime Stories (2008) More at IMDb Pro »

I saw this my with son recently at the Arclight in Hollywood, and even he seemed quite bored. I won't bore you with an intricate review, so I'll sum it up as best I can.

The move has a wonderful premise; Adam Sandler as the unwitting 'storyteller', indulging the minds of his young niece + nephew with fantastic bedtime tales of old that unfold on a whim -- and thus, in front of the audience.

The dazzling visuals that support this are top-notch, and should certainly thrill audiences of all ages. Having the furtive minds of children allowing these colorful stories to change course, is done so seamlessly, providing a nice twist and keeps us entertained.

But the movie suffers from an absolutely horrid sub-plot that feels hurried and poorly written -- though most kids will be oblivious to its' shortcomings. Many characters appear briefly and with little to do.

This non-fantasy side of the movie plays like a mix of a Nickelodeon teen show, and an unfunny SNL skit. As such, the movie has a hard time settling on one theme.

Adam Sandler is fine in his lead role -- charming and energetic. Russell Brand as his best mate is quite the worst choice, though obviously picked for name value alone (we need a funny British guy!). He's woefully unfunny and unpleasant to watch.

The two children that push the tales are predictably delightful, but suffer from the usual wide-eyed, affected, 'cute-as-a-button' casting that afflicts most Hollywood movies.

Familiar faces appear throughout -- some faring better than others with their limited roles.

Ultimately, it's a kids movie (with a twist)... not to be taken too seriously. Had it come equipped with a more balanced and well written plot, it would have been a strong contender for a definitive Xmas smash.