Carell and Garner do the physical comedy with a lot of flair, the younger actors more than hold up their end and Megan Mullally of Will and Grace fame puts in a crisp cameo.

For a while, it looks as if the moral is going to be that negativity isn't all bad, which, for an American children's film, seems rather daring. Alas, the point is drowned out in a final chorus of affirmations.

Slapstick chuckles are duly delivered, but the edgy spark with which director Miguel Arteta made his name is notable by its absence.

...a breezy comedy that benefits from its smattering of laugh-out-loud funny set-pieces and assortment of agreeable performances...