Daddy Day Care (2003) Movie Information:

Daddy Day Care (2003) Directed by: Steve Carr Daddy Day Care (2003) Written by: Geoff Rodkey Daddy Day Care (2003) Cast: Eddie Murphy, Jeff Garlin, Steve Zahn, Regina King, Kevin Nealon, Jonathan Katz, Siobhan Hogan, Lacey Chabert, Laura Kightlinger

Daddy Day Care (2003) U.S. Distributor: Columbia Pictures Daddy Day Care (2003) U.K. Distributor: Sony Pictures

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Daddy Day Care (2003) Synopsis:

When two fathers lose their jobs in product development at a large food company, they are forced to take their sons out of the exclusive Chapman Academy and become stay at home fathers. With no job possibilities on the horizon, the two dads open their own day care facility, "Daddy Day Care," and employ some fairly unconventional methods of caring for children. As "Daddy Day Care" starts to catch on, it launches them into a highly competitive rivalry with Chapman Academy's tough-as-nails director who has driven all previous competitors out of business.

Daddy Day Care (2003) Movie Review:

Eddie Murphy takes another swing at family comedy and this time he has half a dozen tots standing in his way.

Mr. Murphy plays married-advertising executive Charlie Hinton, who seems to enjoy the perfect family life. Charlie has a beautiful wife Kim (Regina King) and a darling son.

When cutbacks are felt at Charlie's company, he finds himself on the unemployment line with his work chum, Phil (Jeff Garlin). Charlie and Phil wonder what it would take to run a child daycare outfit after Charlie is forced to pull his son out of a posh children's academy run by head-mistress, Mrs. Harridan (Angelica Huston).

The two unemployed dads create Daddy Day Care and the fun and hi-jinx ensues. Much to Mrs. Harridan's dismay.

"Daddy Day Care" is the perfect comedy for new parents or for people who just love kids. The sweetness and high sugary moments aren't for everyone but for Eddie's family comedy journey this one delivers a lot more laughs than "Dr Doolittle".

The film reminded me a lot of the Michael Keaton comedy, "Mr. Mom" especially in the scenes where people aren't sure if men can do what women do. I also felt that these scenes were a little bit dated for a modern audience.

My favorite moments involve the addition of Steve Zahn to the daycare. Zahn's slapstick comedy and pop-culture references made me laugh with glee. He alone is one of the huge bright-spots of this comedy.

I have always screamed that I want to see the return of the old Eddie. I loved him in "I, Spy" and "Showtime" where there were signs of the good ol' Eddie from his "Beverly Hills Cop" days. But with the poor box office of those films, I guess I might have been the only one. Maybe one day we will see him again.

If you forget the high-doses of sugar and some of dated premise then you may find yourself enjoying "Daddy Day Care". It's a great film for its target audience and in that aspect it hits the nail on the head. The consensus is that it's cute!

So Says the Soothsayer.

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Daddy Day Care (2003) review written by: Dean Kish