By Tiffany Tweedie

Opened January 22, 2010 | Runtime: 1 hr. 42 min.
PG for mild language, some rude humor and sports action

Synopsis: Dwayne “no longer The Rock” Johnson is Derek Thompson, an aging hockey star nicknamed The Tooth Fairy for his “gift” at hitting opponents so hard, he knocks their teeth out (we are shown this in the movie’s opening segment.) He doesn’t believe in fairy tales, Santa Claus, hopes or dreams. He is dating a woman (Ashley Judd) who does. She has two children and when he tries to tell her 6 year old that there is no Tooth Fairy there’s a problem. And he then receives an official “summons” from Toothfairyland for being a killer of dreams and is sentenced to two weeks serving as, of course, the “real” Tooth Fairy. Or one of them. There are like LEGIONS (another movie I also hope to review in the next week. Love that Paul Bettany…. but I digress…) Anyway, Julie Andrews is the head Fairy or Fairy Godmother or whatever. She’s lovely. And the movie goes on from there…

Soooooo, it sounds GAWD AWFUL, doesn’t it? Isn’t that just the worst premise? I almost dismissed it out of hand entirely BUT… and actually there were a few buts:

1. Dwayne “no longer The Rock” Johnson. Heaven help me, he is an adorable man! He just has this sweetness to him, I can’t help it. I LOVE him in these goofy family comedies. His willingness to poke fun at his own overly pumped up manliness is refreshing in a world of stars who take themselves WAY too seriously! Plus, there’s a tenderness he’s not afraid to show. You can tell he has daughters.

2. Julie Andrews. Come ON. It’s Julie freakin’ Andrews. Mary Poppins. The Hills Are Alive. Any project she’s signed on to can’t be THAT bad, right?

3. Billy Crystal. His part is very reminiscent of his role in Princess Bride. And that was classic brilliance. This is too. He’s like The Tooth Fairy’s “Q” – keeper of the gadgets! He’s Mah-valous, dahlings!

4. Ashley Judd. She’s been MIA from the big screen for a while. I saw her on Regis and Kelly last week and she’s been taking grad classes at Harvard!! So when I say that she is sheer genius, I am not exaggerating! I don’t think she has kids of her own, but she has that Mom thing DOWN!! She exhibits just the right about of momma bear fierce protectiveness and proud mom sensitivity. She’s always been my favorite Judd!

So, with all that in mind, I packed up my two youngest and we went to an early matinee. I will tell you that there was not a single bathroom break during the entire movie!!! That is really the highest rating a movie can get from my kids!! THEY LOVED IT!!!

And you know what, it was MUCH funnier and better written than I expected. OK, it’s not an Oscar contender. No one’s going to write about the break out performances of it’s stars, or how it changed the way they viewed life. It’s not going to revolutionize the family comedy. This is light, kid-friendly fluff. But it’s GOOD FLUFF. This is my kinda fluff.

There was definitely a lot of ad-libbing. It felt like the director just let our veteran actors “go with it” in the scenes. And that adds a freshness and spontaneity that is usually missing in movies like this (Spy Next Door, I’m looking at you!) Plus, you could tell that everyone was having fun. This movie set must have been a blast to work on. You can just FEEL it coming through the screen.

A word of caution: don’t leave too early. There’s a scene with Billy Crystal and Julie Andrews during the closing credits that is hilarious!!

Oh, and the best part. When I was putting my 8 year old to bed that night, he said “Well, you got me, Mom! The Tooth Fairy really DOES exist!” So a big “THANK YOU” to Dwayne “no longer The Rock” Johnson, for making my kids believe just a little bit longer!!

My Overall Review: use whatever kids at your disposal as an excuse to go see this heartwarming fun family flick that will make you believe again too!! Plus, Dwayne “no longer The Rock” Johnson in a pink tutu – seriously worth the price of admission!!

Tooth Fairy movie website