Reviews (749)

Destined to be a classic.
My title may sound a tad cliche, but I believe it. The guys at Pixar understand the mind of children - because they still haven't grown up! That's why Monsters, Inc. is the perfect balance of children's entertainment and adult sophistication. I love it when a studio produces movies that kids love, but at the same time are able to add a level of maturity and sophistication that adults appreciate - without sexual innuendo or appealing to the lowest-common denominator. (i.e. several instances in the movie, Shrek)

The animation is simply incredible; the characters are compelling and hilarious; Boo is worth the price of TWO admissions; the plot and backstory are completely ingenious.

Buy this movie. Enjoy it. Enjoy Disc 2. (Tons of extras - including "Mike's New Car" and another Pixar short entitled "For the Birds" -- PLUS, clips from the Monsters, Inc. office musical production "Put that thing back where it came from or so help me..." !!) With the possible exception of Toy Story 2, one COULD argue that this is the (or at least ONE of the) greatest animated movies ever made.

Sorry if I'm gushing too much. I love this movie. My kids love this movie. It's just plain, good, old-fashinoned FUN.

"MONSTERS, INC." will scare up a treat for audiences
Delightful, uproarious, fun, hilarious, cute and cuddly, jovial... Just a few of the numerous "happy" adjectives you could pin on Pixar's latest pixilated masterpiece "Monsters, Inc." Pixar once again proves itself Disney's most valuable asset with their knack for original stories and often witty and clever humor.

John Goodman and Billy Crystal provide their trademark voices for Sully, the big blue furry monster, and Mike, the cycloptic short green monster as they scare up kids' screams which are converted to energy to power the televisions and alarm clocks of the monster metropolis. (Seems very allegorical of the California power outages this past summer, no?) Conflict brews when Randall, the gecko-like monster, gets greedy and wants to become the top "scarer" by exploiting the screams of the innocent human child, yet show-stealing cute, Boo. While kids might get lost in the action of the movie, the CGI effects and clever Laurel and Hardy-esque slapstick of Sully and Mike (or Lenny and George, which ever way you want to look at it) will have the kiddies captivated from beginning to end.

While Dreamwork's box office baby "Shrek" may have just as good edgy, clever humor and depth, Pixar is far from being out of the running. Keep in mind, Pixar is already a veteran with "Toy Story 1 & 2" (with a third on the way), and "A Bug's Life". There's no doubt in my mind that Pixar and Dreamwork's will be at the helm of the fully computer animated feature for years to come. May the best company win!

For the time being, strap yourself in for the first in some great holiday flicks coming to the silver screen near you! "Monsters, Inc." is already off and running to box office gold, and is a wholly satisfying and entertaining movie for kids, parents, and "Average Joe" movie critics alike.

A big Kid at Heart
I was in the library with my niece and she grabbed this DVD. How can you say no to someone with the most adorable eyes. So I checked out the DVD, we went home and had a wonderful, wonderful time. This is the kind of movie you can appreciate no matter how young or old you are. James P Sullivan (voiced by John Goodman), and Mike Wazowski (voiced by Billy Crystal) are monsters who work for Monsters Inc. Sulley is the best at getting his fair share of scares, but he has some competition in Randall who wants to be the top scare monster. The more screams collected, the more energy for Montropolis. The monsters are led to believe that if a child enters their "world" they will be contaminated and everything could be destroyed. The real fun part starts when this adorable human child named Marry (Boo buy Sulley) sneaks into Montropolis by accident. The kids are scared of the monsters, and the monsters are terrifiedof the kids. Sully and Mike try to get Boo back to her world, but she won't leave. Turns out Randall is her scary monster. Also turns out that Randal has a plan up his sleeve to extract screams that could put the other monsters out of work. It's up to Sully and Mike to save Montroplis and Monsters Inc. This is a fun, entertaining film that will leave with a happy, happy feeling when it's all over. Steve Bucemis I the voice for Randal Boggs, and other notable actors are James Coburn, and Jennifer Tilly (who has the perfect voice for animation, she should do more of it!!!) and Bonnie Hunt.

This is an adorable movie. One I will watch again, with or without my niece.

More Family Magic from Pixar! Great DVD Extras!
"Monster's, Inc." combines a fantastic cast, cutting edge imagination, and a tender storyline into a wonderful, delightful family film . . . it may even cure the nighttime frights of your wee ones!

Most of us were scared stiff at some point in our childhood by the spooky, imaginary "monsters in the closet," usually after we've read "Where the Wild Things Are" for the first time. "Monsters, Inc." plays on that near-universal fear by creating a rational explanation -- monsters live in a parallel universe, connected to ours by closet doors, and they power their land by the energy contained in human screams. Makes perfect sense!

Sulley (the hilarious John Goodman) is a celebrity in Monstropolis as the leading scare-getter for Monster's, Inc. Sulley is generally a lovable big blue yeti-bear-creature, but he can be quite terrifying. Blissfully unaware of the terror he unleashes, he enjoys his job. Basking in Sulley's reflected glory is his sidekick and assistant, Mike Waznowski (Billy Crystal, perfect as ever). Mike is a lime-green-yellow glob with one giant eye and an even larger mouth. He helps Sulley get the screams and stay one step ahead of the competition.

And the competition is fierce. The dragon-chameleon Boggs (Steve Buscemi, suitably creepy without being too scary for the kids) is right on Sulley's heels to be the scream champion, and he's willing to go to any lengths to beat his nemesis.

All is well in Monstropolis until Boo, a human child, accidentally finds her way through the closet and into Monstropolis. It seems that as scared as kids are of monsters, the monsters are equally scared of the kids -- their touch (allegedly) brings death and ruin. (This misunderstanding leads to great comic scenes as X-Files-type HAZMAT crews invade every time there's a kid sighting, usually to the woe of the monster who has seemingly been infected by the kid!)

Like all Pixar films, the glories are in the details. Check out the gentle satire of Hollywood celebrity culture, of mindless bureaucracy, and the perils of romance in the office. The animation is also wonderful -- Pixar continues to evolve with every picture. For example, Sulley's fuzzy hair is fully articulated as he zooms through various escapades.

The story is fast-paced, with enough jokes to keep the adults laughing . . . which is good, 'cause your kids will likely keep throwing this into the DVD player.

Speaking of the DVD -- there are lots of fun extras on this two-disc set. Personal favorites include the fake "outtakes," similar to those at the end of "A Bug's Life," a short film featuring Mike showing Sulley his new hi-tech car (with hilarious consequences), and an Oscar-winning short film, "For the Birds," which shows how funny animation can be, even in short doses. There are additional extras that will keep the kiddies occupied for hours.

All in all, a must for the family's DVD library.

100% Kid Friendly
There aren't many movies that can be seen over and over and over again and still be enjoyed so much. My little sister is addicted to Monsters, Inc. Instead of having to look under the bed to make sure there are no monsters there, she wishes and hopes that when the closet door is opened, Scully will be in there waiting to "scare" her. She was Boo for Halloween last year and requested a Little Mikey stuffed animal for her birthday. Basically, she can not get enough of anything to do with Monsters, Inc.

OK, I admit it. I'm hooked on Monsters, Inc. too. After seeing it thirty plus times with the little one, I still find myself actually watching it and laughing out loud. What a great movie with lovable characters.

Monsters, Inc. is a 100% kid friendly movie that adults will enjoy as well. ... Read more

Description

This comedic and touching family film follows the adventures of a shy young boy (Haley Joel Osment) who is sent to spend the summer with his eccentric uncles (Michael Caine, Robert Duvall).At first shocked by his uncles' unconventional behavior that includes ordering African lions through the mail, the boy soon becomes enthralled with unraveling the mystery that has followed the uncles for years. Hearing tales of their exotic adventures involving kidnapped princesses, Arabian sheiks and lost treasure, not only brings him closer to his uncles but also teaches him what it means to believe in something... whether it's true or not. ... Read more

Reviews (168)

Something for Everyone.
The best way to describe SECONDHAND LIONS is that it's like an independent art film for families. The movie is a hodge-podge of genres and varies between the sublime to the parodical. The plot revolves around a young boy named Walter and how he ended up being raised by two crazy bachelor uncles in the mid 1960s. The uncles (played by Duvall and Caine) have been missing for forty years and have recently returned to Texas to live out the rest of their days. Rumor has it that the old coots have millions of stolen loot stashed away somewhere and every salesperson and relative within a thounsand miles is trying to get their hands on some of the cash.

Children will like this movie especially for the cheesy flashback scenes that appear to be a cross between Indiana Jones and Saturday morning cartoons. However, cheesy as those scenes appear, they fit for the purposes of the film.

The movie also has something to say about faith and honesty. In fact, this is probably the best film I've seen about faith since SIGNS. It takes faith to believe the unbelievable, but when you find out what you were believing really was true, it becomes even that much more amazing.

Highly recommended for families, old codgers, and eccentrics like myself.

Wonderful family film! Rare these days.
This was a great movie. I just saw it last night -- for the second time. With Robert Duvall, Michael Caine, and Haley Joel Osment, how could they go wrong? But there's many a film out there that boasts a multi-talented all-star cast and yet still fails to deliver the goods.

SECONDHAND LIONS is not one of them.

The story is about young Walter who is just barely in his teens and is sent to live with his two great uncles. He constantly hears rumors of their hidden treasure that they stole from Al Capone, or took from a wealthy Arab, or obtained through a lawsuit, or...whatever you want to believe. Throughout the movie, Walter learns from his uncles, Hub and Garth, how to grow into a man and what the truly important things are in life; and Garth and Hub learn from Walter how to enjoy life to the fullest.

The drama here is fantastic, and only once does the emotionalism get a little over-the-top (which is why I gave it four stars instead of five). The acting is fantastic. In this adventurous film you'll be reminded of images of INDIANA JONES, LAWRENCE OF ARABIA, among many others.

...

I wish every goofball (i.e. summer blockbuster) filmmaker in Hollywood -- you know, the ones that think creative filmmaking means having alot of CGI characters jumping around on skyscrapers and fighting villains in Power Ranger suits -- would simply sit down and watch SECONDHAND LIONS. Then they would know how to make a good movie.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?
It was sad for me to see adults pushing their kids in the long-winded queues for Spiderman2 and Pokemon at the local theatre, while this touching entertainer was tossed aside (relatively) to the sidelines.

There is no doubt that Secondhand Lions is a semi-manipulative film, it has its fair share of smarmy feel-good contrivances that betray its zeal to tug at our heart strings. But the quirky mirth of all its characters, the idiosynchratic plotline, and a healthy dose of moving, meaningful moments makes this a very wholesome experience.

Duvall and Caine, as two reclusive millionaire uncles drunk on guns and eccentricity, pitch in very well. Caine warms up to his part in the film first, but the screen is really owned by a very fit Duvall, who soon becomes the pivotal character in the film as the uncle that the kid (Hailey Osment) turns to for advice. Osment does remarkably well to hold his own against these two big tykes. A barnful of cute animals and a truckful of drooling relatives round up the doozy cast.

Some fantastic (literally) flashbacks form an interesting trope for the movie's core message: that in our lives having conviction in things we may doubt to be untrue is ultimately a critical virtue. This leads to a somewhat corny twist at the end but it's an interesting one to make the point. There's plenty of action and some amusing gags that even evoked loud guffaws in the theatre.

All in all, whether you have kids or not, but especially if you do, this deserves a recommendation of the highest order.

Best Family Movie in a long time
I loved this movie. Laughed and cried. I do not usually buy movies, I only own three - we rent alot, but this was a must have. It is the best family movie we have seen in a very long time. I can't wait to see it again.

Wow (for sure)
I cannot understand why Amazon uses paid reviewers who are afraid to like the films they review and don't even bother to see many of them, as indicated by the errors of fact in the second quoted review. Make no mistake, folks, this is the real thing: a truly mesmerizing family film that is able to be humorous, scary, thrilling and inspiring - frequently all at the same time. How many years has it been since three generations of your family were able to repeatedly laugh and cheer loudly for a film? This is in the rare class of films that will go on and on, like Wizard of Oz, Shane, Dragonslayer, High Noon, Miracle on 34th Street, and a very few others, except that it is better than several of them. It is a film for all time and all ages. It is definitely not just a "kid's picture". Perhaps I am partial to "modern legends." I think we all are. ... Read more

Reviews (24)

wow!!!this really is SUMMER MAGIC
what can i say hayley mills is a disney legend,and this movie is one of her masterpeices beside THE PARENT TRAP,THE MOON-SPINNERS,POLLYANNA...and many other disney films this movie has an excellent plot and a wonderful cast i give this 5 stars!!!

Delightful picture
This picture may not be rich in plot but it has a wonderful air about it that will make you feel good all over.When I was a child I begged my parents to take me to this movie. My parents ignored me and took me to a movie they wanted to see. As it turned out the movie they wanted to see had a sneak preview of Summer Magic. For years I have resisted purchasing this Hayley Mills classic. I don't know why I waited. It is excellent.

Corny
This movie is very corny. It is also annoying. It is a little unrealistic that everything would work out so well for this family. It is horribly corny. It is unbelieveable because Hayley Mills has a British accent and her family does not. Burl Ives's role is also cheesy (what else is new), and the name of the dude who owns the house's name is stolen from the bass player is Aerosmith, Tom Hamilton. The movie glorifies old ideals, such as country being better than the city. U should stay away from this one. It is not worth a stinking penny.

It's really good!
I love the end part when the owner of the house shows up and they dance and everyone just stares at him. Isn't he cute?

Soft Summer Magic
Hi! I'm Becky age 14. I've watched this a couple times, and loved it all the times. It does not include any offensive words, or anything eles concernig PG-13 movies. I wasn't around when Hayley Mills was a huge star or seen the rest of her movies or anything, but she did a wonderful job of acting. The special effects aren't incredably great by todays standards, but include that Disney Magic. Oh yeah, and the plot it great, a little slow in parts, but still great. This got boring after a while, so rent it a video rental store before you by it. Have fun! ... Read more

Amazon.com

When egghead Scotty Smalls moves to town just before the summer vacationof 1962, his first priority is to make friends. He heads to the nearby sandlotonly to humiliate himself before the local kids, but star player Benny "The Jet"Rodriguez befriends the awkward boy, teaches him the basics of baseball, andwelcomes him to the team. It's a summer filled with camaraderie and fun untilSmalls hits his first home run. Problem is, Smalls's home run sends hisstepfather's "Babe Ruth" autographed baseball into a neighboring yard that'spatrolled by a snarling, slobbering monster called "The Beast." Creativityreigns and hilarity ensues when the boys risk everything to retrieve the ball. A final heroic encounter with "The Beast" and his owner yields some verysurprising results. Action, humor, and friendship permeate this 101-minute filmappropriate for ages 5 and older. Rated PG due to name-calling and somepubescent behavior. --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (34)

The best baseball movie ever!
The Sandlot is a funny baseball movie that you'll love if your a child or an adult.
It's about a kid who moves into a knew neighborhood with no friends so he must learn how to play baseball to get friends and when he does in the summer the group runs out of balls to play with at the sandlot where they play so the Scott Smalls (the knew kid) ssteal's his step fathers baseball when he's away on business not knowing it's signed by Babe Ruth and he hit's it out of the sandlot into a yard with a dog they call the beast in it and while everybody feels good for him he needs to try to get the ball back from the beast and through the whole movie him and his friends are trying to find out how to get it back before his step dad get's back.I highly reccommand this movie if you like baseball or if you just like comedy's so at least rent this or buy it.

Nostalgic, clean, all-American fun.
This is a lovely movie. Humor and nostalgia combine to create a film without a sturdy plot, but with lots of heart. The beauty of this movie, however, is not in the storyline. It's in the tough-as-nails friendship of a couple of guys on a baseball field; the simplicity of a game that brings people together, no matter what their age; the memories of campfires and sleepovers in treehouses; of trying to fit in; of splashing in a pool on a steaming summer day...

Who can forget the s'mores joke? The kid nicknamed Yeah-yeah? The erector set baseball-extractor? Wendy Peffercorn? Smalls' first baseball cap?

One of my favorite scenes in this movie is when the boys are playing baseball under a midnight sky exploding with fireworks while "America!" is crooned on the soundtrack. That scene wraps up in a nutshell what this movie is all about--friendship, baseball, dreams, and being young in small-town America.

The Sandlot (1993)
Director: David Mickey Evans
Cast: Karen Allen, Dennis Leary, James Earl Jones, Arliss Howard, Tom Guirney
Running Time: 100 minutes.
Rated PG for some slapstick humor and some language.

"The Sandlot" is a great youth film that will keep the parents entertained as well, making it one of the few family sports films that not either too cheesy for adults to enjoy or too suggestive to be appropriate for children. Set in the 1950's or so in a normal suburban town, Tom Guirney plays a short, shy kid who has just moved to the new neighborhood. He has always struggled with making friends, but eventually he gets involved with a group who love to play the good ol' American pasttime.

The group (which consists of many hilarious and memorable youngsters) go through many trials and tribulations together--chewing their first slab of tobacco while riding on a devastating roller-coaster, giving mouth-to-mouth resuscitation to one of the hottest girls in the history of the world, retreiving a special Babe Ruth autographed baseball that has been snatched up by the child-eating neighborhood pooch, and trying to beat the stuck-up traveling baseball team. When it is all said and done, "The Sandlot" is an above average tale of the joys of childhood and using the great game of baseball as its playing field. There are some hilarious scenes throughout, fine acting by the young cast, and a well-scripted screenplay that will make those of all ages laugh. A true gem of a family tale.

Great movie for a gift !
My aunt sent this to my son when he was 2.
We live in France where baseball isn't played but
he LOVED the movie. He's almost 6 and he's seen it at
least 50 times. Now his 3 year old sister loves it.
It's just a great story.
I like it because is shows him my American culture.

great movie
one of the best movies made i have to say. I think this movie is one of the great kid/ adult movies made. It is a cross between sports and adventure movie, and its a movie for all ages!!! If you haven't seen this movie, you're really missing out ... Read more

Reviews (28)

A real family classic!
Jim Douglas (played by Dean Jones) is a broken-down, has been racecar driver. But, when he finds himself saddled with an innocuous little Volkswagen Beetle, he suddenly finds that he can get a lot more out of it than anyone thought possible. Jim's kooky friend Tennessee Steinmetz (Buddy Hackett) keeps trying to tell him that this car is special, it has a heart and feelings, but Jim knows that a car is a car, is a car, right? And now that he is winning races, his chief competitor, Richard Thorndyke (David Tomlinson), is out to get that inexplicable little car! [Color, released in 1968, with a running time of 1:47.]

This is a fantastic movie, and a real family classic! I loved this movie as a kid, and couldn't wait to introduce my children to it. As expected, they loved it, especially the scenes where Herbie seemed to swallow Thorndyke and when he "oiled" on his leg! The DVD set is excellent, containing a nice Disney cartoon short, and lots of other neat extras. My family and I all love this DVD set, and highly recommend it to you!

I Love This 2 Disc Special Edition DVD SET of The Love Bug.
When this DVD was put out I bought a copy of it and I have watched it a dozen times Already. I really loved the specail features that they had on this DVD.

Here Is A Brief Description:

Jim Douglas (Dean Jones), is a down on luck race car Driver who finds Herbie at Thorndike Motors Owned By Peter Thorndike ( David Tomlinson). Well when Jim Finds the car. Herbie falls for him like a ton of bricks. The next day Jim finds Herbie Parked in front of the Firehouse that he and Tennesse Stienmetz (Buddy Hackett) live in. Well Jim buys the car from Mr. Thorndike and gains back his pride as he wins race after race. And falls in love with the Beautiful Carol (Michelle Lee).

Great Movie 5 Star Rating.

Disney almost got this DVD right
For the most part, this is one of Disney's few successes when it comes to releasing a movie on DVD. However, even with this DVD, there are some issues. The scene in Chinatown is strangely out of focus, while the rest of the movie appears just fine. Did the engineer fall asleep while he was doing the transfer, or just what happened?

In spite of that, I will say that this is one Disney DVD you are PROBABLY safe in buying. Maybe it came out before they started cutting corners so severely.

Cute but should not be rated G
I recently rented this movie for my three year old son who loves cars. I did see this movie when I was going up (though I did not remember the exact details) but now that I have seen it as a parent, I have some concerns about it.

Though the moive is rated G, it has a few things about it that I don't find appropriate for young children.

The dialogue is riddled with words like "stupid" and "idiot,"-- words I prefer to keep out of my son's vocabulary, at least for now.

I also find the character, Mr. Thorndike, to have an anger management problem. In the majority of his scenes, he is yelling at the top of his lungs and calling his sidekick, Havershaw, a series of derogatory names-- definitely not a characteristic I want my son to emulate. Finally, while I appreciate the whole appeal of a car having human qualities, I find the scene where Herbie tries to commit suicide a bit much for a kid's movie. Having to explain what the car was doing was difficult.

Overall, though the movie has cute qualities, I wish that the attributes I mentioned were not included. Call me a protective parent but seems to me that today's kids are considered rude because they are exposed to media like this that are considered acceptable.

Sorry to the die-hard Herbie fans, but this movie is not all its cracked up to be.

my favorite disney movie
there is no disney movie that could top this one. the race scenes with cute music playing went excellent with this movie. the cross country race at the end of the movie was one of the best slapstick race scenes i ever saw. this is like smokey and the bandit type movie. A LOT OF FUN TO WATCH. ... Read more

Reviews (158)

Even Better Than The 1st--Great Antonio Banderas Performance
With a cast that includes John Cleese and Julie Andrews as Princess Fiona's royal parents, Rupert Everett as Prince Charming, both Antonio Banderas AND Jennifer Saunders stealing the show as Puss-In-Boots and the Fairy Godmother, respectively, SHREK 2 actually manages to do the seemingly impossible: build on---and even improve upon---the original! Usually, the first in any film series is the best, being fresh & original; sequels almost never live up to the original story. However, SHREK 2 plays not like a sequel; it's really more of an extension of the wacky SHREK. It actually throws more at you this time around, and resultingly turns out to be a laugh-a-minute animated comedy that blows you away. It is startingly original, inventive, edgy, satirical, rude, crude, romantic, cute---all at the same time! Mike Myers still does an incredible job as the voice of Shrek, as does Eddie Murphy as the motormouth Donkey and, of course, Cameron Diaz as the feisty Princess Fiona. I couldn't count all the great lines there are in the film! Also, as visually stunning as the 3-D CGI animation was in the original, it is even more amazing this time around: for example, Prince Charming looks so real that you have to remind yourself that he's not CGI. SHREK 2 is a feast for the eyes, yet you don't even realize how much it is because you're too busy laughing at the hundreds of gags, of which I will not dare to reveal!

As with the original, this film is not appropriate for kids under the age of 8. As with the original, more than 20 million kids under the age of 8 will have seen this film by this time next year. That's just a fact of life, I guess! Already SHREK 2 is breaking box office records, most notably the coveted five-day-opening-weekend record, earning over $125 million. It will undoubtably end up with an over-half-billion-dollar take at the U.S. box office alone, easily surpassing that of the original. But really, it isn't all hype: SHREK 2 definitely earns its standing as the most anticipated movie sequel of the year. Add to that the best comedy of the year!

MOST RECOMMENDED

Can't remember feeling this good leaving a theater ...
First, you start off with a dream cast: Mike Myers, Cameron Diaz, Eddie Murphy, Antonio Banderas, John Cleese, Julie Andrews, Jennifer Saunders, and Rupert Everett. Then, you put them in a movie sequel that - while maybe with not quite the same level of heart the first film had - is funny, well-written, action-packed, and with a good story to tell.

And that's how "Shrek 2" comes to be, on a different level, a sequel to equal its predecessor. I literally can't remember when I've left a movie feeling this good, it's a film that deserved to break records, and hopefully will continue to do so.

The film opens right where the first one left off; Fiona and Shrek (Diaz and Myers) enjoy a blissful honeymoon ... after which they head home to the swamp, where they are reunited with Donkey (Murphy) -- it seems the romance between him and Dragon didn't work out. Soon after they're arrival, the newlyweds are visited by messengers from the Kingdom of Far Far Away, who inform them that Princess Fiona and her husband, Prince Shrek, have been invited to Far Far Away for a celebration of their marriage, with a gala ball where the king and queen (Fiona's parents) will bestow their blessings on the marriage union.

Shrek, figuring correctly that Fiona's parent may not be thrilled with their daughter marrying an ogre -- much less that Fiona is now an ogre permanently herself -- allows himself to be talked into going to the kingdom by Fiona, who is absolutely sure her parents will not only accept her in her current form ... but will also accept her ogre husband, whom she dearly loves.

The trip back -- in a carriage shaped like a garlic bulb -- takes Shrek and Fiona and Donkey to a kingdom where the streets resemble a strip mall (Burger Prince, Tower of London Records, etc. -- it looks like Sunset Blvd. in West Hollywood, Disney-style). When they get to the castle, they see that practically every loyal subject in the kingdom has gathered to celebrate the return of the long-lost princess. But when the happy couple steps from the coach, a hush of shock falls over the crowd ... and sure enough, the reception on all levels is much closer to Shrek's vision than what Fiona had in mind.

Add a conniving Fairy Godmother (Saunders), who has her own plans for Shrek and Fiona, and is blackmailing the King (Cleese) into helping her ... a catsassin name Puss-in-Boots (Banderas) who is hired to "take care of" Shrek so the evil plan can unfold ... and a magic "Happy Every After" potion that must end in a kiss before midnight for it to take hold ... and you have a great sequel that is funny, adventurous, and will appeal to the young and old alike.

The animation is tops; classic as "Shrek" was, there have been still new advances in animation that make this film look even more amazing on the big screen. The characters are all warm and human -- especially Shrek and Fiona of course -- but you'll get your best laughs from Donkey ... and especially from Puss, who has a secret weapon (when fighting off the guards in one scene) that may just have you falling off your seat with laughter.

While "Shrek" may be a more "fully-rounded" film, as some have said, there is not a single frame - or moment - wasted in this terrific sequel. In some ways, I liked it even better than the first, and for Murphy and Banderas alone the L.Q. (Laugh Quotient) will make it worth even a second or third viewing in the theater (and a no-brainer to own on DVD). Highly recommended, and I can't imagine anyone not liking this film -- unless you got a good bit of ogre in you, too.

Fantastic Movie! Better than the first!!!
This is a great film. It has a good moral and is a good family film. Most of the the innuendoes and other innapropriate jokes will go over the heads of most children.

Taking films into the next century!
Shrek 2 is one of the most funniest films of 2004 with its great graphical charaters to the funny jokes and phrases put into the film this is a definate 5 star!!

comically hillarious, action-packed and new characters
I was actually unsure about Shrek 2 because I was worried they'd ruin the first movie by throwing in irrelevant and painful gags with no real plot, but I was shushed into silence as I watched this hillarious and feel-good film. It's again a mickey-take of all the original fairytales like Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Pinochio, and Cinderella, but it's still so funny. Whilst this is for kids, it has some quite, let's say, controversial scenes which could upset young children. The parts where Shrek and Fiona need a little privarcy to make love is quite a scare for three-year-olds. And many people love Puss N Boots fairytale, yet in this they put him on drugs! But still, this is an excellent follow-up to the blockbuster hit Shrek. I would definitely give this one a see, it's just as good as the first one! ... Read more

Amazon.com

The bright cartoon colors of the Saturday morning classic Fat Albert get brought into the real world--or a Hollywood facsimile of reality, at any rate. When a teenage girl named Doris (Kyla Pratt) sheds a tear onto her TV's remote control, her unhappiness summons Fat Albert (Kenan Thompson, Barbershop 2), Mushmouth, Dumb Donald, Old Weird Harold, and the rest of the gang from Bill Cosby's popular cartoon (inspired by his childhood memories of growing up in Philadelphia). Doris is, to say the least, a little freaked out and doesn't really want Fat Albert to help solve her problems--but with the blithe confidence that only cartoon characters can have, Fat Albert and the gang follow her to school to root out the source of her misery. One of the movie's problems (which are legion) is that Doris's world isn't much more real than the cartoon one; it's a sterile, clean-cut caricature of a city neighborhood. In fact, the whole movie feels suspiciously like a commercial for a DVD of Fat Albert cartoons, an advertisement for which actually appears in the movie, making for a bizarrely self-referential product placement. Thompson, surprisingly, hangs on to his dignity in the face of the inane proceedings and even gives Fat Albert a hint of gravitas. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (63)

What is wrong with you people the movie is bad!
I know that everyone is sayin that this movie is great but in my opinion it's really not. I watched it the other day and it's horrible. I do think Kenan Thompson is hilarious but not in this film I don't. This movie really does suck. The acting is terrible, the soundtrack is okay I guess but I just didn't really like the movie much. What a waste of time to watch for a hour and a half but please don't bother seeing it. I just thought it was the worst Bill Cosby movie ever made.

Cartoon much better
I miss the old cartoon..this movie does not compare.This new version of the old is okay...wish Bill Cosby would have played more of a role in this...it may have helped with ratings.
I also wanted to see this to see a friend who had a stand in role with her son.
Was nice too that it wasn't filled with bad language that could have ruined this all together.
Rent don't buy!!!

You're like school on Saturday: no class.
Is there an unwritten rule in Hollywood that if you choose to recreate comedy, it has to be less funny than the original so that it doesn't overpower the genuine moment of the first?I am a strong believer that there is such a rule because I fully witnessed it in the film Fat Albert.This film had so much potential that I really wanted to jump into my television and start grabbing necks a-la Homer Simpson.Frustration grew inside of me as jokes were tossed out towards the viewing audience with such disappointment that to laugh would have given the film way too much credit.The characters were flat, the story was "normal chaos that has been done in nearly every other film", and the class of the television program Fat Albert was diminished by cheap thrills and over-budgeting.Did Bill Cosby have a true writing credit to this film?It would be hard for me to believe that he seriously considered this work great, but then again, he is older and has bills to pay ... so why not?While the ending tried to bring a tear to your eye, I was already crying at the utter lack of appreciation that this film carried and influenced the youth of our nation.

To say that this film was horrible would be too kind of a word, to quote a line from the film "(Fat Albert is) like school on Saturday: no class" would again, probably be giving it too much credit.From the opening credit sequence to the overly animated cartoons to the lack of animation in the characters when they became real was difficult to watch. Kenan Thompson tries really hard to empower the soul of Fat Albert, but what comes through the screen are just pathetic.He has no backbone and literally, he gives Albert this image of ignorance.Instead of being this helpful friend, Thompson's Albert has these huge glazed eyes that roll around whenever trouble begins.He just didn't seem to have that pizzazz that I remember Albert having from the television programs.If Albert was a leader in the cartoon, he was not one in this film.Unless you count the fact that the other actors in this film followed his suit by also leaving their energy at home.Childish humor coupled with this sense of apathy really didn't spark this film onto the level it should have been.I kept seeing glances of this really humorous story about Fat Albert in the real world, but instead I was forced through yet another Cool World.That is how I would best describe this film, Cool World for children.

With our characters firmly not caring about their careers, we are then forced to focus on the non-existent story that apparently the writers of this film chose to not write.Instead of creating a plot with some climactic moments, our writers of this film chose to just let Fat Albert wander until something funny happened.I kept wondering to myself if this was an actual scripted film or just Thompson and Zwick allowing improv to occur anywhere and anytime.Now, if you were working with a genuine comic actor this could have worked (like Robin Williams or Will Ferrell), but with Thompson it just felt forced.Nearly every scene felt forced or overworked in this film.Spontaneity was not an element that these writers considered.This ultimately caused the jokes to be extremely flat.The humor just didn't bring the true life of Albert onto the screen.This is where I question the validity of Cosby being involved with this production.I know he was getting paid, but how much did he work?The jokes felt so old and used that I am surprised that children responded to them.Maybe it was the urban feel that Albert somehow felt comfortable in ... who knows?Either way, the loose story allowed for unfizzy jokes, which ultimately lead to the demise of this picture.

Finally, I would like to say that Fat Albert (when I was growing up) was an inspiration and "every man" to us all.The group that followed him and his actions somehow always felt like a part of us.There wasn't anything that could stop Fat Albert from helping another lost soul, and somehow in this film adaptation, none of these old feels could be remembered.It wasn't as if they were trying, but this was definitely not the same Fat Albert that I grew up with.He didn't reach me like he used to, and perhaps it was the larger budget or the lack of imagination, but Albert hurt the soul in this film.I am surprised that he was able to assist Doris in her problem (this obscure problem that was never quite defined), because if I were in her shoes, I would have politely kicked this Albert to the curb.Cosby needed to reconsider his options before allowing this Albert to see the light of day.

Overall, as if you couldn't tell already, this film hurt me.As I watched this dopey picture, I couldn't help but wonder if this film was focused correctly.When it first started I had this feeling that Albert would be called to help Doris with her problem, causing him to be a secondary character (like her own Jiminie Cricket), but instead what happened is that Thompson's camera excitement stole the performance away from Doris while creating a film centered around Albert.This should not have been the case for this to be a truly inspirational film.We lost the central focus of the film, and then the story just went fuzzy.Too many hands in the honey pot with one hand wanting to be on top.It was sad, and ultimately destroyed this film.

Grade: ** out of *****

Bill Cosby must not have had an active role in this
I think there should be a competition on fear factor to see how many times someone could watch this movie. It's so dumb. Every corny comedy cliche about a person from the past who comes to the future is hit in this travesty. You could have more fun by throwing yourself down the stairs of your house.

FAT ALBERT IS HOT AIR
This is 1 of the most horrible movies that I have ever seen.I couldn't even get to the end of it before I got up to come and write this review.The actors in the movie need to hone their skills and stop trying to make movies to fit everyone.I don't know if they realize it but this movie is STRICTLY for the kids because they do not know any better.If I could have given this movie ZERO stars, I would have done so. ... Read more

Reviews (133)

Best Disney Movie since "The Lion King"
Hercules restored my faith that Disney can still make fun, engaging animated movies (this one's much better than the more recent disappointing Road to El Dorado or The Emperor's New Groove). The animation is dazzling (from the makers of Aladdin and The Little Mermaid), the music is a new take -- gospel, and the characters are funny. The voices include a cast of famous names, such as Tate Donovan and Danny DeVito as Hercules and his goat-man sidekick. The plot is predictable and the storytelling of the Greek myth may be a bit off, but after all, it's Disney. The DVD includes a documentary ("The Making of Hercules") and a Ricky Martin music video (for the song "I Can Go the Distance"), and most Disney DVDs hardly have any extras. I wouldn't call this movie a must-buy, but it's a welcome addition to Disney's family of great cartoon movies... and kids will certainly love it, too.

The World's First Super Hero
Disney adds a new twist to the story of the mythological strongman in the funny animated feature "Hercules". Hercules (Tate Donovan), the son of Zeus, is kidnapped and turned mortal by the sinister god Hades (James Woods). Now, with his amazing strength and the help from his fly stallion Pegasus and trainer Phil (Danny DeVito), Hercules journeys to regain his place among the Gods of Olympus. Though not as memorable as previous Disney animated films, "Hercules" is a lighthearted fun-filled fantasy adventure. The story is fresh and funny, and the animation is stylish and colorful. The film contains some clever humor and amusing scenes including a thrilling battle between Hercules and the fierce hydra. James Woods shines as the voice of the sly Lord of the Underworld Hades and Susan Egan is amazing as Grecian beauty Meg. The voice cast also includes Bob Goldthwait, Matt Frewer, Paul Shaffer and Rip Torn. The animated tale is presented in its THX certified 1.66:1 widescreen format. The DVD contains a very detailed video transfer and a rich 5.1 Dolby Digital sound. Its supplemental material features "The Making of Hercules" featurette and a music video with Ricky Martin. Despite the lack of interesting extras, "Hercules" earns a "B-".

Great teaching tool
Precisely BECAUSE of the complete disregard for the original mythology, this movie is a superb teaching tool for middle schoolers. After a unit on Mythology, the kids can identify for themselves the many creative changes Disney opted to make, and even better, they can figure out for themselves why Disney made those choices. It makes the kids savvier media consumers, they enjoy spotting the "mistakes," and the music is terrific and holds their attention. We all enjoy the fact that nearly every time the Muses sing "and that's the Gospel truth!" they're referencing something completely FALSE. And the group scene at the christening makes a great "test" of those symbolic identifiers--the kids like being able to identify the gods and goddesses based on the clues in their appearance.

Zero to Hero
When the evil Hades, god of the underworld, learns that if Zeus and Hera's newborn son Hercules fights his world takeover plan, he will fail, Hades' idiotic helpers Pain and Panic kidnap the tyke in an attempt to turn him mortal and kill him. But before baby Herc could drink the last drop of the potion, a middle aged couple intersept. They take young Hercules in and raise him as their own. The only problem Hercules has is his god like strength, which he retained because he did not drink the last drop of the potion.

Hercules grows up feeling like he doesn't belong and goes on a journey to find his true identity. When he discovers that he is the son of Zeus, he is told that the only way he can regain entry to Mount Olympus is to become a true hero.

So with the help of Phil, a satyr, and Pegasus he begins training to become a hero. He ends up meeting Meg, a young woman who sold her soul to Hades, and falling in love with her. Meg is torn between loyalty to Hades and her growing love for "Wonder Boy".

When Hades strikes a deal with Hercules to give up his strength for 24 hours, Hades frees the Titans to take over Olympus. Due to one technicality in the deal, Hercules regains his strength and defeats Hades. But when he learns of Meg's death, he strikes a deal with Hades to rescue her and take her place in the underworld.

A little bit too modern for a story set in Ancient Greece but this movie contains all the essential elements of a true Disney classic.

From Zero to Hero
Hercules is a total knockout - for the first half of the movie. The second half falls flat. Hercules has one of the best animated film scores ever. To promote the film, Disney had a traveling "troupe" of singers in Greek costume perform at malls around the country. The executives apparently even appreciated the incredibly orignal gospel-style songs with witty and joyful lyrics. The rollicking songs get a big "Amen!" The fabulous Muses are wonderful creations.

The story involves Hercules as an awkward boy trying to fit in with the humans who have adopted him. After he inadvertently causes a disaster at the marketplace, Herc strikes out on his own, and is shocked to discover his Mt. Olympus heritage. Megara, the female romantic interest, is not very likeable as a fallen woman redeemed by love. You feel Herc deserves better.

Since Aladdin, Disney has used celebrities as character voices. Hercules in particular benefits from this, with James Woods ad libbing hilariously as Hades, lord of the underworld, and Danny DeVito, who brings heart and laughs as "Phil" the Satyr. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Classic cartoon fans will delight in the bevy of classic Tom and Jerry animated shorts, each of whichends in the proclamation "Made in Hollywood, U.S.A.," and most of which are from the '40s. Fifteen episodes (totaling morethan an hour) are featured. Included are: "The Cat Concerto," "Johann Mouse," "The Little Orphan," "YankeeDoodle Mouse," "Salt Water Tabby," "Tee for Two," "Solid Serenade," "Zoot Cat," "Johann Mouse," "Dr. Jekyll" andMr. Mouse," "Mouse in Manhattan," "Kitty Foiled," "The Little Orphan," and"Jerry's Diary." It might surprisemore mature viewers, with fond recollections of the adventures of the gray cat and the little mouse, howrelentlessly violent (albeit cartoon violence) the 'toons are. This video, a collection of chase-centricfilms, is notably chock full of head bangin', body bashing, poisoning, and all-around disorder.

The absolute highlight are two shorts low on smashin' and high on entertainment: "The CatConcerto" and "Mouse in Manhattan," the first with Tom as the focus and the second with Jerry.They both involve forays into entertainment, a great soundtrack, and a fun story. The DVD edition adds"The Worry Song" from Anchors Aweigh, the classic showcase of the amazing (and oft-copied)duet of animation and live action, as Jerry dances with the wonderfulGene Kelly. Contrasted with thePC content of today's 'toons, Tom and Jerry is a literal blast from the past--a must for collectors,and for parents comfortable with explaining that Tom isn't really burned to ashes, and Jerry hasn't beenbeheaded. --N.F. Mendoza ... Read more

Reviews (21)

This DVD is *almost* perfect.
I am a huge fan of classic (i.e., before 1970) cartoons. In the current absence of Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies DVDs, this Tom and Jerry DVD is my favorite currently existing animation DVD.

First, this DVD contains 13 complete and uncut classic Tom and Jerry cartoons. The selection of cartoons is very good. They have lots of action and are very well written. The quality of the picture is superb. They did a very good job of mastering these 13 cartoons. If you are a Tom and Jerry fan then you will be very pleased with these 13 cartoons.

Also included is a clip from the movie ANCHOR'S AWAY featuring Jerry dancing with Gene Kelly. I consider this to be a very nice bonus feature.

This DVD is *almost* perfect. However, there is one flaw. Specificallly, the cartoon "The Little Orphan" has been edited. In the original cartoon, after a candle lands on Tom's tail, Tom turns black. Then the little mouse throws a champagne bottle at the black Tom, and the black Tom is pushed into a cabinet of dishes. All of this part has been edited out of this cartoon on this DVD.

It's really terrible that they would remove part of the cartoon. I paid for the cartoon, and I deserve to get what I paid for.

Tom And Jerry As I remembered them
Just as the title suggests, this is Tom and Jerry as I remembered them when I was a kid.
When I saw that the Cat Concerto was on it, I just had to buy it as it was my all time favorite of Tom and Jerry.

All are as I remember them.. uncut.. except one cartoon where Tom gets burned, otherwise the video and audio quality are very very good.

A nice bonus in the DVD is Jerry dancing with Gene Kelly.

For cartoon collectors, this one is a must.

If you are into modern cartoons where they must be politically correct, non-violent, and have to teach you something, don't buy it.

No where near the quality of Looney Tunes....
These cartoons have not aged well. The jokes are not funny, the music stinks, and the chases were done a lot better by Willie E. Coyote and Road Runner.

All your favorite Tom and Jerry Cartoons
This one was worth the money. My favroite episode is the Cat Concerto where Tom plays the Hungarian Rhapsody on the piano and Jerry runs in and out of the piano, causing Tom to have to play faster and faster to keep up. There 14 cartoons and a special bonus where Jerry dances with Gene Kelly in an excerpt from Anchors Aweigh. The Cartoons included are: Yankee Doodle Mouse, Salt Water Tabby, Tee for Two, Mice Follies, The Cat Concerto, Solid Serenade, Zoot Cat, Johann Mouse, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Mouse, Mouse in Manhattan, Jerry and the Lion, The Little Orphan, Kitty Foiled, and Jerry's Diary. The entire DVD lasts about 90 minutes and is well worth the money. We'll be taking it in our minivan this summer when we travel.

Don't bother
Tom and Jerry, a wonderful childhood memory and a wonderfully entertaining comedic duo, have been butchered for DVD release. "The Little Orphan" contains an edit which is so idiotic that I cannot recommend this DVD. I would not even buy this at a bargain price. I don't care if everything else is uncut, one edit is all it takes. It is sad that some of the greatest animated characters have to be butchered just to be politically correct. One scene is cut while modern cartoons, full of innuendos and violence, recieve no such censoring. Do not support censorship and avoid this DVD. ... Read more

Reviews (93)

IT REALLY DOES WORK ITS MAGIC!!!!!
This movie truly is a crowd pleaser. A terrific film from Majid Majidi, exploring the frank tenderness of the human heart between a brother, Ali, and his little sister, Zahra. These two charming young actors ( especially Zahra, God she's so adorable) gave a marvelous performance. It is a simple story about how Ali accidently lost Zahra's shoe's and now Ali makes a wise decision by not telling his parents and so he shares his own shoes with Zahra. She attends her day class with his shoes and when she's done with no time to kill she has to run to him to hand him over his shoes so that he can catch his afternoon class. But he kept running late for classes and in trouble for being late. When there was a school ad posted regarding a marathon race, Ali decides to go for that ultimate sacrifice for the love of his sister all beacause the prize was first place gets the cup and third place gets a pair of running shoes. But somehow he went first place and got the cup. Eventually that wasn't the end for there was a bigger surprise (I won't give anything away, see it for yourself). This formula has worked so exquisitley. What a magical film.

Ali and Zahra's World
The Children of Heaven is the second Iranian film by Majid Majidi I've seem. Like the first one, The Color of Paradise, the storyline and the images stuck in my mind for weeks.

In The Children of Heaven, Majid Majidi focuses almost exclusively on the world of children. Adults are in the film, but they are secondary. Despite their not being the focus, the adults in Children of Heaven are not cardboard figures, however. Even with their brief dialogue, their personalities are well defined.

The Children of Heaven is the story of Ali and Zahra. They live with their parents and baby (I don't know which) brother or sister in a tradtional, working class section of an unnamed Iranian city.
The movie begins at the shoe repair shop where Ali has taken Zahra's only pair of school shoes to be stitched back together. After leaving the shop, he runs other errands and loses the Zahra's shoes on the way. Without her shoes, Zahra cannot go to school. Their father doesn't not keep ready money for such an emergency. They are poor people. Too afraid to tell their father, Ali hits on a plan to help Zahra to get to school. She will wear his old worn out sneakers to class in the morning. When she gets out of school in the afternoon, she is to come straight home and give him the sneakers so he can attend his classes. The whole movie centers around the shoes. Getting back and forth to school becomes a stressful game for Ali and Zahra.

After seeing The Children of Heaven I wondered if any producer in Hollywood has the genius to pull off such a story centering around an item as simple as a shoe. It would be a nice, radical change if one did.

Children of Heaven is excellent for people of all ages. Even though the story is filmed and set in Iran, no time is given to preaching precepts about Islam. The movie is about the adventures, genius, love, and imagination of children. Please send the West more of your excellent work Mr. Majidi!

A Profoundly Honest, Simple Story
Majid Majidi is a master craftsman. In CHILDREN OF HEAVEN he has written and directed a story so delicate and so genuinely human that it has few peers as a piece of filmmaking. He is able to see, and allow us to see, the world through the eyes of children. And as if that weren't enough, he has chosen the filial relationship between a brother and a sister that demonstrates just how profound love can be. Ali and Zahra are youngsters who maintain their family duties (living in a poverty section outside the city), serving their ill mother and overworked father and their infant sibling while continuing their education in their separate schools. The family is so poor that each member has only one pair of shoes and when Ali inadvertently loses Zahra's newly 'repaired' old shoes, he makes a pact with her that the two will share Ali's sneakers to spare the grief that the father would feel should he discover the truth - that no further shoes were affordable for Zahra. The two swallow pride, make sacrifices, and depend on each other as the one pair of old sneakers plays double duty. Each child attends a unisex school and these microcosms afford the study of the interplay of the two children as a metaphor for Iran society. Ultimately Ali finds a solution to gain a new pair of shoes for his sister by attempting to place THIRD in a long distance running race. The way that race plays out offers a somewhat surprise ending. This story is simple on the surface, but the insights into the poverty of Iran against the wealth in the major cities, the ability for a family to not only survive but make a family relationship so dear - these are the portions of magic that make this beautiful movie an experience that will please almost every viewer. The 'actors' will remain with you both as characters and as spirits long after the film is over. In Farsi with English subtitles.

Beautiful and Endearing
This is the first Iranian film that I have viewed. I did not know what to expect, and I was pleasantly sursrised with this touching film. The two children, Ali and Zahra, really reach your heart. I loved this film so much, that I am purchasing it for my own collection.

A great childrens movie for all ages
I really enjoyed this movie and is the best children's movie I have ever seen in my life. I found the story spellbinding since it was a reminder of my own childhood even though I grew up in the US middle class while the story is set in the slums of Iran.
The acting is first rate and surpasses a lot of what Hollywood churns out. A definite must see for everyone. ... Read more

Description

From the great Muppet creator Jim Henson comes this classic bursting with enchantment and adventure. Academy Award winner Anjelica Huston stars as the Grand High Witch in this exhilarating tale.Year: 1990 ... Read more

Reviews (42)

Beware of Witches
Firstly it is true that this movie can be extremely frightening to young children, and should not be shown not be seen by them.
Otherwise everyone else should really enjoy this fantastic movie, that takes place in Sweden and modern day England.

A little boy Luke ((Jasen Fisher) is told by his grandmother (Mai Zetterling) all about witches, and of her own childhood experience with these evil creatures, including the mysterious loss of her best friend to their wicked wiles.

When a few months later he goes with his grandmother to a grand old hotel by the seaside in England, he discovers to his dismay that there is witches conference at the hotel, and before he can foil there evil plans to destroy the children of England, he and another boy, Bruno (Charles Potter) are turned into mice at the orders of the Grand High Witch (Angelica Huston)

He and Bruno must now survive while at the same time exposing defeating the witches' evil plans.

A great movie based on the book by Roald Dahl.

Delightful Kids Flick
I discovered thsi movie at the age of eight and became obsessed with it renting it several times then buying it for myself a few years later. Kids flicks don't get any better than this.

This movie is based on the book by Rolald Dahl which is about a boy who comes across a flock of witches while vacationing with his grandma on the English seashore. The witches *led by Angelica Huston* are meeting under the disguise of a "children's charity organization* but really are discussing plans to get rid of all of the children in England by turning them into mice! Unfortunately, the boy whose name is Luke becomes one of their first victims. The story is great fun as are the actors. The end is the best part which takes place at a fancy dinner for the witches, but I won't give it away. Fantastic movie for the young and the young at heart.

5 starz!!!
This movie is just an automatic classic.It is aliitle funny but most of all kind of creepy.The movie starts out kinda slow but then it starts to pick up it's pace, this movie is just a must have.

Campy, but cute, children's story
This is definately for kids, perhaps 8 to 12 years old, where they can separate out fantasy from reality. The slow starting pace and the campy effects might bore adult viewers, but it's a great flick for kids. The cameo appearance of Rowan Atkinson adds a couple of laughs, but filmmaker really underutilized the comedian's talents.

THE WITCHES (ANJELICA HOUSTEN)
i used to watch this film when i was a lil kid and i used to well like it! it was funny cos ma cousin got scared of the grand high witch! and anjelica housten does look quite fit in this- even though she is a witch!!! anyways it is a brilliant film for lil kids and i would even watch it now!! GO 4 IT! 10/10... ... Read more

Reviews (70)

A Magical Disney Adventure
While the special effects on this movie are rather outdated (they were really quite good for the era) the story line still delivers an enjoyable experience, and is hightened by the fabulous acting of Angela Lansbury and David Tomlinson and superb song and dance scenes.
While the youngest viewers will delight in the scenes where live action and animation mix, and where everyday objects take on lives of their own, I recommend this movie primarily for older kids and adults. The movie is to some extent a little slow paced compared to many modern childrens movies, which may cause the smaller children to grow a little restless, and much of the plot will be lost on the younger audience. I first saw this movie when I was four or five years old, and enjoyed it thuroughly, but it wasn't until years later that I was able to understand what was going on with the Nazis and the war and was able to truly appreciate it.
Now as an adult I'm able to fully enjoy every aspect of Bedknobs and Broomsticks, and think it's great fun!

I Love This Wonderful Movie! 5+ Stars!
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is my favorite Disney movie ever created. However, it is also one of the most overlooked ones as well. I've watched this movie since I was a little child, and you never get bored of it. One childhood memory I have, is watching this movie with my family. Now, I watch this 30th Anniversary DVD with my baby brother. Now I'll tell you all what this classic is about.

Bedknobs and Broomsticks is about a middle aged apprentice witch named Eglantine Price who lives in 1940 England. She is ordered to watch after 3 children who have been evacuated from London. The kids find out Miss Price's secret, and they also find out that Miss Price learns witchcraft from a mailorder course. To make a pact that states that if they keep her secret, she'll make it worth her while. So, she enchants a brass bedknob that will make them go wherever they want. However, the school closes, without the most important final spell, the Subsitutiary Locomotion spell.

So, using the bedknob, they go to London and seek out the headmaster of the school, Emelius Brown. Mr Brown can't find the spell either because the book he got out the spell of is torn, and the spell is only found on a necklace of a sorcerer named Astoroth.

Anyway, they go to Portobello Road, like a mini mall, and learn that towards the end of Astoroth's life, he captured animals and kept them in cages to make them more human like. The animals rebelled and killed Astoroth and stole the necklace. The animals escaped and took refuge on a mythical Isle named Niboombu.

The animation starts know as the tiny group explore the sea and then the island using hte traveling bedknob, and get the necklace that has the spell on it after a fun soccer game with a lion, which almost ends our story. After getting the necklace and returning home, the Nazi soldiers attack, and using the Spell, Miss Price and Company defeat them.

Now, I highly reccomend this DVD because of its digitally restored and digitally remastered format, and the resolution is so clear. This also has one of the best climaxes in Disney history, when they fight the Nazi's, and also has great animation.

As Mr Brown says, "Do it with a Flair", and get this 30th anniversary DVD, Digitally Restored and Remastered and Ready to Go!

Poppins-lite
Made during the Disney wilderness years following Walt's death, Bedknobs is a re-tread of the hugely successful Mary Poppins. However, if you're going to re-tread a film, it might as well be a classic! Check off the ingredients: - initially cold matronly female lead who the children and audience quickly warms to, capable and charming child leads, a perky male side-kick, an animated/live action interlude that has nothing to do with the plot, a Sherman brothers score, an episodic structure, a general magical story-book quality to the film etc.
Angela Lansbury gives her most likable screen characterisation (apart from perhaps Jessica Fletcher!) and shows to those not familiar with her Broadway career that she can sing and dance. David Tomlinson brushes off the stuffy ghost of Poppins' George Banks and plays a buffoon with great relish. The children are all well cast and shine in slightly cliched and under-written roles. Special mention must go to Roddy McDowell for a lovely cameo as a scheming cleric and to British-favourite Bruce Forsyth as a flick-knife toting 'spiv'.
The animated sequence involving the 'Beautiful Briney' is wonderful and, once the characters reach dry land, the soccer game with the animals is as 'Looney Tunes' as Disney would probably dare be! The rest of the film is slightly slow in places but has some excellent set-pieces, in particular the Portabello Road musical interlude, the clothing being 'magic-ed' to life and the final 'Armour vs. Nazis' showdown. The special effects are very good for the age, especially the animated object scenes. The score, by the Shermans, isn't a patch on their Mary Poppins but includes some real gems including the afore-mentioned 'Beautiful Briney' and 'Portabello Road' as well as the catchy 'Substituciary Locomotion'.
This edition includes around fifteen minutes of previously cut scenes and lines of dialogue that have been re-inserted into the main body of the film. Unfortunatly, the audio from these clips has been lost, and so the lines had to be re-recorded with varying degrees of success. Lansbury and McDowell have supplied their own voices but Tomlinson's, the children's and Tessy O'Shea's have been 'impersonated' quite poorly, meaning that those with relatively keen ears can tell when a newly inserted scene is playing. The audio for the songs survived, meaning that 'Eglantine' and 'Portabello Road' have been extended, although some of the film quality in the latter also draws attention to the cut scenes. These quibbles do not, however, spoil the film and the re-inserted scenes at least clarify McDowell's character's intensions towards Miss Price. Prior to this edition, we were not aware that he was wanting to marry her for her 'nice, sturdy house' - which is why he is jumping up and down on her porch when she answers the door to him!
Overall, this is a film that plays well to all ages (I loved it as a child and now sit and watch it often with my son). It's unfortunate that it will forever live in Mary Poppins' substantial shadow (along with the weaker Pete's Dragon), but at least it lives as one of the better Disney films made in those wilderness years prior to The Little Mermaid'.
Thouroughly recommended.

SLOW
I bought this for my 3-year old since she just loves Chitty-Chitty Bang Bang and it just doesn't have any comparison. Amazon made the suggestion and I fell for it. Bad move! Very slow moving movie!!!

Magic
This is a very good movie for every one. The story is very nice and the characters are fun for every body. I really can't think of any complaints. A rated acting and scenery. ... Read more

Reviews (70)

Well animated but not true to the strip
Garfield: The Movie is a fairly straightforward story with no secondary tales or other touches that could take this film out of kidvid. The interaction between the animated Garfield and the real actors and sets is subtle, rather than the eye-popping wow! of Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Unlike better family films such as Shrek or Finding Nemo, this one is strictly for kids as there is little to keep an adult's interest.

The movie starts out with a few scene-setting vignettes, brief unconnected tales much like the Jim Davis comic strip the movie was lifted from. But right away something is amiss. Jon, Garfield's human, isn't presented as a complete loser. He lives in a very nice house in an unspecified part of the midwest that looks suspiciously like Oak Park or a similar John Hughes location. The furnishings are tasteful and reasonable quality. And Jon isn't completly incompetent in his day to day actions.

And what's worse, Jon's unrequited feelings for Garfield's veterinarian, Liz, are not thrown in his face (as per the strip) but returned within the first 20 minutes. The vet character is just as wrong as Jon; both are cute, thin, and dress well. Jon should be a zhlub, Liz should be strictly business. Here, Jon's a heartthrob and Liz dresses like she's on her way to a disco. Wrong, wrong, wrong!

The major plot point is okay (evil cable-TV animal show host kidnaps Odie after dog wins a blue ribbon, Garfield rescues him), the animated Garfield is done well, and the status quo is preserved. My kid liked it okay. But I would not advise anyone over 12 to watch this unless accompanied by an interested elementary schooler. 14 June 2004 by mad-haus

Garfield the movie.
I saw this movie. I like it. It's funny, cute. Good movie.

Why listen to the critics? This movie's great!
Entertainment Weekly said Garfield was a cloddish, unfunny dud.

For all I care, they can wear dunce caps on their heads (ha ha.)
I personally like Garfield, especially the part I like to call, "cat meets gravity, cat hits truck window." Garfield has tyke-friendly jokes, but, WHO CARES? Garfield is a fun movie that I would recommend to all fans. So, Garfield fans should just push the critics aside, and enjoy Garfield.

Bill Murray+Garfield=THE BIGGEST LAUGH YOU'LL EVER HAVE!!
When I heard about the Garfield movie, I thought, (Hey, I love the Garfield comic, and I LOVE Bill Murray, I'd love to see it!) So I went to see it with my parents and my friends, Laura and Andrew. I laughed my head off! Bill was AWSOME and Garfield looked like a real cat! The funniest part was when Garfield accidently destroyed the owner's living room!! (I forgot the owner's name.) The people that didn't care for it were; my Mom and Andrew. Tho everyone thought Garfield looked like a real cat! I wanna see it again, tho my Mom said no. I'm buying the DVD when it comes out. I recommend this movie to anyone who likes, Bill Murray, Garfield the comic, and/or silly humor. Fortunely, I like all three! ME-ow 4 now!

Out of character from start to finish
So, I just saw this recently ("That's your own darn fault", I can almost hear you say) and it is indeed everything the more reputable reviewers have called it, plus a side of fries. From the very first scene on, this Garfield is the polar opposite of his comic book equivalent, talking incessantly, recklessly jumping around, waking Jon so he can make it to work in time (and though he is never seen working, Jon must indubitably have a very cushy job, judging from his at least one million dollar home). Hmmm, I always thought Garfield conserved energy as much as possible.

If this film resembles anything, it's one of those bad Disney talking animal movies from the '60s. Plot modus operandi: Animal with extraordinary abilities is abducted and exploited by evil, greedy big city person, other animals and/or animal owners must come to the rescue. Yawn. I wouldn't even mind the uber-generic plot contrivances if they were spruced up with some decent gags, but you could count this film's laughs on one finger. What Garfield really needed was a punch-up by a bunch of Simpsons writers.

I wouldn't mind buying Chris Beck's (Buffy) fun but rather standard score if I came across it in a bargain bin somewhere, but barring that unlikely scenario I'm likely not going to go out of my way to track down a promo. Even his work here remains more of a "Meh" than a "Hmmm... neat." ... Read more

Reviews (817)

I Found A GREAT Film in "Finding Nemo"!
Disney's PIXAR studios have re-defined the world of animation time and again with their many film efforts. Such movies as "Toy Story," "Toy Story 2," "A Bug's