Aaron's Thoughts
Krasinski is ultimately going for the Pixar strategy of “market it as a kids movie but make the parents cry” yet he forgets that for this strategy to be effective, you’ve got to have a fully built story and world.
The film demands the audience not think twice or too long about anything they see on screen. Once you do, you start to realize how thin the screenplay and ideas actually are.
Which normally is totally fine for a kids movie! I mean it’s for kids after all. Yet, IF often doesn’t even feel like a kids movie. It’s fun in one or two pockets, but other than that it is an incredibly serious & heavy film.
So maybe it’s for parents? Maybe some, but it will come across as too maudlin for most.
I probably enjoyed it more than most will (those freaking out about it need to calm down), but it was nothing more than a few obligatory tears and an “awe that was cute” as the credits rolled. Nothing more. Nothing less.
Genuinely fascinated to see if kids actually like this.
Side note - guess the voice cast was my favorite thing about this. Matthew Rhys as the ghost was the highlight for me.
