A little E.T., a little Jumanji, Mimzy brings the supernatural to the average American family. And who better to play with the mysterious powers than children?

Mimzy certainly has its moments. The special effects are sweet and stirring without taking over the film. And they're quite believable. I never said, "No, I just don't believe it." So kudos to their inception, creation, and direction. Unfortunately, the regular live action circumstance and occasional acting dip into the realm of the unbelievable. In fact, the production on the whole is a tad rough around the edges. The FBI inclusion starts silly and progresses to absurd. I'm not sure the film even needed that element. I'd rather that time have be used to develop internal struggles of the parents. Disappointingly, Hutton's character has almost no purpose in the film.

I love the central idea (which I'd rather not spoil by writing here). But the dialogue and, in spots, the script itself could have used some more maturing. Hence the overall average grade given below. That said, Rainn Wilson and Kathryn Hahn are remarkably entertaining and indeed, give the strongest performances aside from Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, as the little girl -- she really warms into her role as the film progresses. And again, the supernatural element also has a warm fuzzy mysteriousness that gives this production its gem.

This film screened at a Laemmle Theatre.

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