Meet Dave
A crew of miniature aliens operate a spaceship that has a human form. While trying to save their planet, the aliens encounter a new problem, as their ship becomes smitten with an Earth woman.
The film underperformed commercially against its respectable budget of $60.0M, earning $50.7M globally (-16% loss).
2 wins & 3 nominations
Plot Structure
Story beats plotted across runtime
Narrative Arc
Emotional journey through the story's key moments
Story Circle
Blueprint 15-beat structure
Arcplot Score Breakdown
Weighted: Precision (70%) + Arc (15%) + Theme (15%)
Meet Dave (2008) demonstrates deliberately positioned story structure, characteristic of Brian Robbins's storytelling approach. This structural analysis examines how the film's 15-point plot structure maps to proven narrative frameworks across 1 hour and 30 minutes. With an Arcplot score of 7.1, the film balances conventional beats with creative variation.
Characters
Cast & narrative archetypes
Dave Ming Chang (Captain)
Number 3
Gina Morrison
Josh Morrison
Number 2
Knox
Main Cast & Characters
Dave Ming Chang (Captain)
Played by Eddie Murphy
The rigid, by-the-book captain of the miniaturized alien crew piloting the human vessel. Initially focused solely on the mission, he gradually learns about human emotion and connection.
Number 3
Played by Eddie Murphy
The security officer and second-in-command who questions the captain's decisions and becomes increasingly mutinous as the mission deviates from protocol.
Gina Morrison
Played by Elizabeth Banks
A single mother and school teacher who befriends Dave and helps him navigate human society while developing romantic feelings for him.
Josh Morrison
Played by Austyn Lind Myers
Gina's intelligent and curious young son who discovers Dave's true nature and becomes fascinated by the alien crew.
Number 2
Played by Ed Helms
The cultural officer and romantic idealist within the crew who supports the captain's growing interest in human emotions and culture.
Knox
Played by Scott Caan
Gina's arrogant ex-boyfriend, a police officer who treats both Gina and Josh poorly and becomes suspicious of Dave.
Structural Analysis
The Status Quo at 1 minutes (1% through the runtime) establishes Inside the Dave spaceship, the miniature alien crew prepares for their mission to Earth. The Captain runs a rigid, emotionless ship focused solely on retrieving the orb to drain Earth's salt and save their dying planet.. Significantly, this early placement immediately immerses viewers in the story world.
The inciting incident occurs at 10 minutes when Dave nearly gets hit by Gina's car, and she takes him to the hospital. The crew realizes their mission is compromised by human social expectations and their inability to blend in convincingly as a human.. At 11% through the film, this Disruption aligns precisely with traditional story structure. This beat shifts the emotional landscape, launching the protagonist into the central conflict.
The First Threshold at 22 minutes marks the transition into Act II, occurring at 24% of the runtime. This indicates the protagonist's commitment to The Captain decides to accept Gina's dinner invitation and infiltrate the Morrison family to get close to the orb. This is an active choice to engage with humanity (albeit initially for purely tactical reasons)., moving from reaction to action.
At 44 minutes, the Midpoint arrives at 49% of the runtime—precisely centered, creating perfect narrative symmetry. The analysis reveals that this crucial beat Dave kisses Gina at a party, and the Captain experiences romantic feelings for the first time—a false victory. He believes he can have both the mission and this new life. Meanwhile, Josh shows Dave the orb, bringing them tantalizingly close to mission success. Stakes raise as emotions threaten mission focus., fundamentally raising what's at risk. The emotional intensity shifts, dividing the narrative into clear before-and-after phases.
The Collapse moment at 65 minutes (72% through) represents the emotional nadir. Here, Number 2 stages a complete takeover, imprisoning the Captain. Dave (now controlled by Number 2) steals the orb from Josh, betraying the boy's trust and breaking Gina's heart. The Captain watches helplessly as everything he's come to care about is destroyed. His "humanity" dies as he loses control., indicates the protagonist at their lowest point. This beat's placement in the final quarter sets up the climactic reversal.
The Second Threshold at 70 minutes initiates the final act resolution at 78% of the runtime. Number 3 frees the Captain and shares that the crew who experienced humanity want to mutiny against Number 2. The Captain synthesizes his military leadership with his newfound compassion, rallying the crew: "We came here as conquerors, but we've become something better—human."., demonstrating the transformation achieved throughout the journey.
Emotional Journey
Meet Dave's emotional architecture traces a deliberate progression across 15 carefully calibrated beats.
Narrative Framework
This structural analysis employs structural analysis methodology used to understand storytelling architecture. By mapping Meet Dave against these established plot points, we can identify how Brian Robbins utilizes or subverts traditional narrative conventions. The plot point approach reveals not only adherence to structural principles but also creative choices that distinguish Meet Dave within the comedy genre.
Brian Robbins's Structural Approach
Among the 8 Brian Robbins films analyzed on Arcplot, the average structural score is 7.2, reflecting strong command of classical structure. Meet Dave takes a more unconventional approach compared to the director's typical style. For comparative analysis, explore the complete Brian Robbins filmography.
Comparative Analysis
Additional comedy films include The Bad Guys, Ella Enchanted and The Evening Star. For more Brian Robbins analyses, see Hardball, A Thousand Words and The Perfect Score.
Plot Points by Act
Act I
SetupStatus Quo
Inside the Dave spaceship, the miniature alien crew prepares for their mission to Earth. The Captain runs a rigid, emotionless ship focused solely on retrieving the orb to drain Earth's salt and save their dying planet.
Theme
Number 3 (the cultural officer) suggests they should try to understand humans and their emotions. The Captain dismisses this, insisting emotions are irrelevant to their mission—establishing the thematic question of what it means to be human.
Worldbuilding
The Dave ship lands in New York City. We see the crew's unfamiliarity with human behavior as they awkwardly navigate the city. We meet Josh Morrison, who possesses the orb (a glowing sphere he found). His mother Gina is a struggling single parent. The crew's robotic interactions highlight their lack of humanity.
Disruption
Dave nearly gets hit by Gina's car, and she takes him to the hospital. The crew realizes their mission is compromised by human social expectations and their inability to blend in convincingly as a human.
Resistance
The Captain debates how to proceed. They track the orb to Josh but can't simply take it without arousing suspicion. Gina invites Dave to dinner as thanks for Josh's reward. Number 3 advocates for learning human customs while the Captain resists, wanting only mission efficiency.
Act II
ConfrontationFirst Threshold
The Captain decides to accept Gina's dinner invitation and infiltrate the Morrison family to get close to the orb. This is an active choice to engage with humanity (albeit initially for purely tactical reasons).
Mirror World
At dinner with Gina and Josh, the crew experiences genuine human warmth and connection for the first time. Gina represents everything they don't understand—emotion, compassion, single parenthood sacrifice. She becomes the relationship that will teach them what they need to learn.
Premise
The fun premise: aliens pretending to be human. Dave becomes increasingly involved with Gina and Josh. Comic set pieces include: disastrous dates, learning to eat, dance lessons, a baseball game. The crew begins experiencing human emotions despite the Captain's resistance. Number 3 falls for the cultural officer. Romance blooms between the Captain and Gina.
Midpoint
Dave kisses Gina at a party, and the Captain experiences romantic feelings for the first time—a false victory. He believes he can have both the mission and this new life. Meanwhile, Josh shows Dave the orb, bringing them tantalizingly close to mission success. Stakes raise as emotions threaten mission focus.
Opposition
The crew becomes divided. Number 2 (security officer) leads a mutiny against the Captain's growing humanity, insisting they complete the mission. The Captain struggles between duty and his feelings. External pressure: government agents track Dave. Internal pressure: the crew's rebellion. Josh begins to trust Dave, making the betrayal worse.
Collapse
Number 2 stages a complete takeover, imprisoning the Captain. Dave (now controlled by Number 2) steals the orb from Josh, betraying the boy's trust and breaking Gina's heart. The Captain watches helplessly as everything he's come to care about is destroyed. His "humanity" dies as he loses control.
Crisis
The Captain sits in the brig, processing his failure. He realizes his feelings for Gina and Josh are real, and that saving his planet by destroying Earth is wrong. Number 3 and loyal crew members debate what being "alive" truly means—following orders or following your heart.
Act III
ResolutionSecond Threshold
Number 3 frees the Captain and shares that the crew who experienced humanity want to mutiny against Number 2. The Captain synthesizes his military leadership with his newfound compassion, rallying the crew: "We came here as conquerors, but we've become something better—human."
Synthesis
The Captain retakes the ship in a battle against Number 2's forces. Dave races to the Statue of Liberty where the orb is being activated. The Captain stops the planet-destruction sequence, sacrificing his world to save Earth. He explains the truth to Gina and Josh. Government agents arrive, but Gina vouches for Dave. The crew decides to stay on Earth and experience humanity.
Transformation
Mirror of Status Quo: The crew, now living among humans, enjoys a baseball game with Gina and Josh. The Captain (via Dave) laughs genuinely, showing complete emotional transformation from the rigid, emotionless commander we met. They've become truly human through connection and love.