DADDY Day Care was supposed to be Eddie Murphy's big comeback - the film to resurrect him as a comedy genius and validate his box office muscle.

Sadly, this half baked remake of the long forgotten 80s comedy Mr Mom starring Ted Danson, fails to tickle the funny bone, and verges on the saccharine and sentimental.

Charlie Hinton (Eddie Murphy) and his best friend Phil (Jeff Garlin) are made redundant from their jobs as advertising executives. Unable to afford the exorbitant fees of the exclusive Chapman Academy day care facility, the two free-spirited fathers resolve to set up their own small-scale creche, called Daddy Day Care.

Director Steve Carr saturates the screen with lots of bright, primary colours and drags the plot along, kicking and screaming, from one predictable set-piece to the next.

He lets the youngsters and Murphy do their own thing, hoping that amid the madness, he might unearth a comedy gem or two. Invariably, the children are adorable just by being themselves and the rosy-cheeked cherubs possess more charisma and infectious energy than the two leads.

Screenwriter Geoff Rodkey hammers home the central theme of estranged fathers and sons for all its worth, building to a sickly emotional crescendo as Charlie realises that his son Ben means more to him than career advancement, and Phil bonds with his son Max, having finally taught the lad how to go to the toilet by himself.

Rating: 5/10