Were not supposed to call Dwayne Johnson The Rock anymore, which is a real shame because his name lends itself to all manner of pun-based nicknames and headlines. Well, we can smell what The Rock is cooking this time – family comedy!

Dwayne Johnson plays Derek Thompson, an ice hockey player whos garnered the monkier of The Tooth Fairy for his habit of knocking his opponents teeth out when he checks them into the sides of the arena. After discouraging a childs dreams of hockey stardom and telling a six year old that the winged taker of teeth doesnt really exist, he is sentenced by the real Tooth Fairy (Julie Andrews shockingly) to two weeks hard labour in her service.

Unfortunately, hes trying to get serious with his girlfriend Carly (Ashley Judd) and her two children Randy (a sulk on legs played by Chase Ellison) and six year old Tess (Destiny Whilock) and of course his impromptu stint in a tutu is going to cramp his style somewhat. Luckily hes got reluctant assistance from Tracy (Stephen Merchant), a wingless fairy caseworker who dreams of one day getting his wings and Jerry (Billy Crystal), a sort of fairy version of Q whos has a variety of tricks up his sleeves including shrinking paste, invisibility spray and amnesia dust.

Tooth Fairy isnt nearly as bad as it sounds. Watching the muscle-bound Johnson in a pink frilly tutu is actually pretty funny (and if you think about it, not a million miles away from his wrestling background) but when that wears off Johnsons innate charisma makes him constantly watchable. Theres a feeling that its the script that doesnt do him justice, Johnsons got a talent for comedy and dare I say it, acting, and itd be nice to see what he could do with a less limited screenplay.

While the plot is about as predictable as you like, Merchants off-the-wall comments and sarcastic put downs prevent it from becoming monotonous and there are one or two extremely funny lines. There are moments which are cheesier than a milkmaids sock but these are largely kept in check and when they do come theyre done with a knowing wink – its hard to begrudge a film thats about believing in your dreams for having a happy ending.

All in all, Tooth Fairy is a harmless and fun family comedy that will raise a few laughs from even the adults which have been dragged along to see it. The pace slacks off a bit towards the end and it could have done with being about 15 minutes shorter, but there are enough gags to be getting on with that youll walk out with a smile on your pearly whites – if you havent already been blinding by the light glinting of Johnsons