Dwayne Johnson returns to the big screen with the film “Tooth Fairy”. The adult-friendly kids’ movie features ice hockey star Derek Thompson, also known in the rink as the “tooth fairy” for his habit of knocking out opponent’s teeth. As he is nearing the end of his sporting career, Derek had lost all hope he’d ever do better than score in a game. Unfortunately he transcends his own demise to a younger boy by telling him to abandon his dreams of ever becoming a successful hockey player. In the same context, while babysitting for his girlfriend’s (Ashley Judd) six-year-old toothless daughter, he almost tells her tooth fairies don’t exist.

By stroke of faith, Derek is magically summoned into Fairyland where he must accept punishment to atone for his sins of killing children’s dreams. Head boss (Julie Andrews) sentences him to serve as an official tooth fairy, complete with the wings and shiny frock, for two full weeks. Now, Derek must face this new challenge in his normal life as he waits for addresses from freshly toothless kids via his Blackberry. Once he receives one, his wings would pop out and whisk him away to the children’s home in order to exchange the tooth for a penny. During his escapades, Derek would learn being a tooth fairy is no easy task. Luckily he is guided by magical tools such as shrinking paste, cat repellent, and more.

For those who’ve enjoyed family comedies of this kind, you’d surely love the genuine humour etched in “Tooth Fairy”. Director Michael Lembeck cleverly combines the weird and hilarious mix-up of bulky Johnson in a shiny tutu and matronly fairy godmother Julie Andrews dressed in a corporate Chanel suit. Thinking well ahead, Lembeck made sure to add these little twists in the movie’s details which worked in favour for them.

As a star, Johnson had proven that though he lacks in depth as an actor, he is impossible not to like as a family comedy star. Surprisingly it seems innate in Johnson to be a crowd-pleaser in so many ways. Here in “Tooth Fairy” he feeds the audience with his clumsy goofiness far off from the physique of his character. Kids would surely love the ironies present here and there. Even adults may find moments of laughter and enjoyment. If you’ve warmed up to Johnson’s previous films, “Race to Witch Mountain” and “The Game Plan”, then you’d appreciate his on-screen presence more in this film.

Johnson is aided in this film by a great supporting cast. Billy Crystal stands out with in his funny cameo as the fairy responsible for providing unusual magical tools to Derek. It’s impossible not to be lightened by his humorous charm. The of course there’s Julie Andrews, who fits her role perfectly as the fair but strict matriarch of Fairyland.

The major laughs from the film come from the huge contrasts you’d manage to notice here and there. Just from the beginning the idea of a bulky and overly masculine tooth fairy working to please small children is enough to stifle laughs. Johnson’s reputation as a former professional wrestler now degraded to a fairy with wings and wearing a satin tutu is already overly humorous in itself. As the film progresses, you’d enjoy the film more as you see him undergo various struggles just to collect teeth under the pillows of sleeping children. Johnson successfully offers a simple yet highly effective form of amusement.