Writer: Hanna Zainal

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Watch this if you liked: "The Game Plan", "Race to Witch Mountain"

The Tooth Fairy is an iconic character that is similar to the way Santa Claus is portrayed. You have to believe it to be convinced. When someone mentions Tooth Fairy, you think of a young lady fairy delivering coins under children's pillows in exchange for their just lost tooth. The new movie, "Tooth Fairy" does it with a twist.

Dwayne Johnson is not the type of guy you'd imagine as a tooth fairy. He plays Derek Thompson, a minor-league hockey player who has a habit of separating opposing players from their bicuspids; therefore he is dubbed the "Tooth Fairy". From the outside, it seems that all is well with him; he's a fan favourite and has a blooming relationship with his girlfriend Carly (Ashley Judd) and her two kids (with the exception of the oldest Randy, a moody teenager).

Unfortunately, Derek has a bit of a temper and also tends to be a little insensitive. One day, after a game, he tells a young fan, an aspiring hockey player that he would never be a successful hockey player. This gets Derek to be summoned to Fairyland and sentenced to work as a Tooth Fairy for several weeks until he learns his lesson. For everytime he breaks a fairy rule, his sentence gets extended.

Derek is handed a handler Tracy (Stephen Merchant) who teaches him the ropes of a fairy's job scope. At first, Derek fails miserably but then as the movie progresses, naturally gets better at it. The movie presents tooth fairies in a way you've never seen them before. Who would've thought that tooth fairies would have ID photo-taking services for example? And that Julie Andrews would play the head of the Tooth Fairies Lily? Johnson is in a role that's familiar to him, a buffed up sports star turned kid-friendly guy. Look out for Billy Crystal who has not been seen on screen for a while in a small role as Jerry, a sort-of fairy inventor. This film does have its comical moments and you will enjoy it. Also, the CGI in this film, though simple, aids the film in telling the story to the audience and is used sparingly.

The film is a heartwarming film, which is suitable for the entire family. Of course, with a title like "Tooth Fairy", it is obvious whom the intended audience is for. For a perfect family outing film, pick this movie. It's tailor-made for the entire family to enjoy.

Cinema Online, 15 January 2010