The latest effort from “A Quiet Place” filmmaker John Krasinski, and quite a tonal shift from his prior directorial work, “IF” tells the tale of the imaginary friends left behind after their people grow up and forget they exist. Given her tragic past, Bea, a little girl with a remarkable outlook on life, discovers that she can see the otherwise invisible imaginary friends and decides to help them. Hijinks ensue.

For an unabashedly silly movie, “IF” isn’t dumb. It channels some of the family films of the late 90s. The audience is undoubtedly watching through the eyes of the pre-teen protagonist, with a vague lack of nuance that comes with the simplified perspective. “IF” handles emotion in a way that is accessible to children. With that said, its clever concept is portrayed with oodles of charm by its live-action cast.

Cailey Fleming is well-equipped to lead the film and does so while bouncing off the quick-talking Ryan Reynolds, who finds his pocket playing the flustered Cal, the only other person who can see the imaginary friends, of which there are many. Together, the duo puts “IF” on their backs capably and provides a firm enough bedrock to support the cavalcade of imaginary friends who provide much of the film’s humor.

Parents who take their young ones to “IF” can play a fun game of “where do I know that voice from?” Indeed, the movie is absolutely loaded with A-list talent who drop in for a cup of coffee, usually to voice one of the plethora of bright, colorful imaginary friends paraded across the screen. I challenge a viewer to avoid checking out the cast of “IF” online before watching, and then enjoy the drive home as you check IMDb saying, “Oh wow, that character was voiced by that person?”

“IF” is definitively PG; it’s pretty smooth and harmless overall. Most of the film’s serious subject matter is dulled for kids, allowing broad emotions to bleed through without most of the existential dread. Could the film have sharpened those edges and allowed Reynolds and the cavalcade of famous voice actors to unleash more of his PG-13-rated trademark wit? Perhaps. However, that wouldn’t necessarily serve the film’s primary audience: kids and their families. In as much, “IF” hits its target as a PG-rated family movie: the heart, reminding us that while we all have to grow up, we don’t have to forget.