Summer Kids Movies: Trailer Check!

Movie studios are using Eddie Murphy - and variety of animation styles - to lure us to the movies with our kids this summer. Let's see what we can learn from the trailers.

Imagine That

Eddie Murphy's newest film is not subtle about its message: Don't spend all your time at the office; make time to play with your kids! Likeing itself as a cross between Daddy Daycare and Bedtime Stories, Murphy again shows his charm with the kids.

In fact, the only way Murphy can succeed at his job is by spending time with his daughter. As he jumps into her imaginary world, majical powers are unleashed, resolving his business problems.

Of course, the more Murphy is forced out of the boardroom and into the teddy-bear Tea parlour, the more he enjoys it and comes to a true appreciation of fatherhood.

Just because it's predictable doesn't mean it won't be a good movie and make a lot of money. The producers are counting on Murphy to recreate the magic with kids that he showed in Daddy Day Care.

Tagline: What if your daughter's imagination was the secret to your success?

Imagine That opens on Friday, June 12.

G FORCE

G Force is Disney's computer animated 3-D story of a group of super-spy guinea pigs who are trying to stop a billionaire from taking over the world.

So we're talking about cute guinea pigs, crazy spy gadgets and a big corporate villain. This is going to be the cute furry version of Spy Kids - only with guinea pigs. Movie hasn't even begun and my 6-year-old girl is already giving this a *three* thumbs up! She is crazy about spies, so she'll be there.

Tagline: Gadgets, Gizmos, Guinea Pigs. In 3D.

G Force opens Friday, July 24

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs

Based on the popular children's book, this computer animated movie is the tale of a bumbling scientist who finally comes up with an invention that works: he can turn water into food.

He seeds the clouds, and soon it is raining food! Hallelujah, it's raining food...

Sorry, I got carried away and hungry at the same time. In addition to the titular meatballs, cheeseburgers also fall from the sky, along with a huge pancake that covers a whole house.

I'm not sure how they are going to stretch the book into a full-length movie but frankly I' don't care. I'm sure the concession stands will enjoy a spike in business when this movie plays.

The voice cast includes Anna Faris, Andy Samberg, James Caan, Tracy Morgan, and Mr. T. This movie will be available in 3D. With all of the falling food, it would be a shame if it weren't.

Tagline: Prepare to get served.

Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs opens Friday, September 18

Astro Boy

Based on the 1960s TV series, this is a computer-animated story of a robot boy who is built by a scientist who lost his son.

Astro Boy becomes a superhero who is called on to save his hometown of Metro City while he searches for his place in the world.

Are you inspired? I'm not. I just don't think there is a burning desire among the viewing public to see Astro Boy turned into a movie. I'm 38 and I had never even heard of Astro Boy until I saw this trailer, which was rather soulless and action-heavy.

Freddie Highmore (Finding Neverland) voices Astro Boy, and he is joined by veterans Nicholas Cage, Donald Sutherland, Eugene Levy, and Kristen Bell.

Tagline: Have a blast

Astro Boy opens on Friday, October 23; my wife's birthday

THE PRINCESS and THE FROG

Speaking of Disney, this is a hand-drawn animated Princess story, which will no doubt bring generations of cartoon lovers together. As enjoyable as new technology is, there is something charmingly old-school about cartoons that are drawn by hand.

The trailer shows us the scene in which the frog tries to convince Princess Tiana that he is a prince who has been afflicted by a sorcerer's spell. One kiss will set him free.

The trailer makes the valid point that nobody really knows what happens after that. In this movie, the answer is a lot of jazz, a little voodoo, and a lot of New Orleans. Sounds different and definately entertaining.

Tiana can now join Cinderella, Snow White, Ariel, and Sleeping Beauty, Belle, Jasmine, Pocahontas and Mulan in the pantheon of Disney heroines. Between this and G-Force, I expect Disney to make a lot of money before the end of the year.

Joining Annika Noni Rose on voice duty are John Goodman, Terrence Howard, Oprah Winfrey, and Bruce Campos as Prince Naveen.

Tagline: (none yet)

The Princess and The Frog opens Friday, December 11