On CLIPS In February, 2010
TOOTH FAIRY

A bad deed leads to a one-week stint as a tooth fairy for hockey player Derek Thompson (Dwayne Johnson).

TRIVIA: Dwayne Johnson played an NFL quarterback in what 2007 family film?

Derek "The Tooth Fairy" Thompson (Dwayne Johnson) is a minor league hockey player with issues. After dashing a youngster's hopes and stealing tooth money from his girlfriend Carly's (Ashley Judd) daughter Tess (Destiny Whitlock), Derek is whisked off to fairy land and sentenced to one week of labor as a real tooth fairy. Will he mend his ways? Will he bond with Carly's angry son Randy (Chase Ellison)? "Tooth Fairy" is a rather weak and predictable family comedy that answers all of the above questions - if you're interested. Dwayne Johnson is rock-solid at delivering the lines and handling the physical comedy. But there is not much to deliver and handle here. Michael Lembeck, who has directed plenty of television comedies and "The Santa Clause 2" (& 3), seems to have taken a step backwards with this flight of fantasy - tripping over some good talent along the way. Julie Andrews as the fairy-in-charge and Billy Crystal as an ancient fairy who provides Derek's gear are apparently present for their star power. Crystal's dialog consists of a series of rapid-fire jokes that occasionally elicit laughter. Stephen Merchant, Ricky Gervais' brilliant partner on projects like "The Office", spreads some comedic dust as the wingless fairy caseworker Tracy. Look for a hilarious cameo by "Family Guy" creator Seth MacFarlane. He plays Ziggy, a fairy who dabbles in black market items. Unfortunately, the movie's ad says it all: "The Tooth Hurts". If you plan on seeing this film, you better go soon. "Tooth Fairy" will probably be pulled quickly.