It's not a stretch to say Eddie Murphy's cinematic output since the days of 48 Hrs., Trading Places and Coming to America has been spotty at best. And even that is being overly complimentary. But I've always liked him. Which is part of the reason, I suppose, why I liked Daddy Day Care.
Now there are two reasons I'm not going to try to convince you this movie is the modern day equivalent of Citizen Kane. 1) it's not. And 2) I never really liked Citizen Kane.
Regardless, this movie has a lot going for it especially the casting of Jeff Garlin and Steve Zahn as Murphy's two main co-horts. Other recognizable faces include Angelica Huston, Regina King and Lisa Edelstein. And there's a performance by Cheap Trick and a kid who spends most of the movie dressed in a Flash costume. So I mean, really, what more could you want?
There's plenty of physical stuff for the kids to enjoy, with a healthy dose of poop jokes thrown in for good measure (my boys never met a poop joke they didn't like). Jackson and Griffin both have their favorite rewind moments and it's safe to say the movie holds up to repeat viewings.
So if you're looking for something to watch with the kids, give this movie a shot. Or maybe take them outside. I hear that whole fresh air thing is pretty good too.