Audience: 8 and up
Profanity: None
Nudity/Sexual References: Potty humor, reference to one-night stand
Alcohol/Drug Abuse: Characters drink hard liquor, scenes in bar
Violence/Scariness: Comic peril
Tolerance/Diversity Issues: Capable, dedicated bi-racial man
Two Oscar-winners are no match for some irresistible dogs (with a little
assistance from puppeteers and computer animators) in this so-so slapstick
comedy about a Miami dentist who ends up in a dogsled race. The actors do
their best, but there is no way they can hold the attention of the audience
when those beautiful Siberian huskies and one magnificent border collie are
on screen.
This is an a attempt to return to one of the Disney staples of the 1960's, a
light-hearted story pairing cute but clumsy actors with cute but clever
animals. Think of "That Darn Cat," "The Shaggy Dog," "The Monkey's Uncle,"
and "The Ugly Dachshund." The set-up this time is fine: a successful Miami
dentist named Ted Brooks (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) inherits a team of champion
Alaskan snow dogs. And some of the highly predictable jokes work reasonably
well, as the city slicker used to sunshine has to adjust to live in a remote
area that is all snow and ice.
Parents should know, though, that despite the PG rating, there is some
material they might not consider appropriate for children. Brooks learns
early in the movie that he is adopted, which some children might find
disturbing. Then, later, he learns that his natural parents were two loners
who had a one-night stand, and his biological father is a cranky mountain
man played by James Coburn. Brooks resolves to prove himself to the
mountain man, according to the only standard he respects - being able to
compete in a dogsled race.
Families who see this movie should talk about when we allow ourselves to be
measured by the standards of others and when we trust our own ability to
know what is important.
Families who enjoy this movie will also enjoy "Beethoven" (about a St.
Bernard that adopts a family) and "Rat Race" (another slapstick comedy
starring Gooding).
On video this month:
"American Legends" Disney classic animation tells the stories of America's
legendary heroes, Paul Bunyon, Johnny Appleseed, and Pecos Bill, along with
a new version of the story of John Henry. The stories are exciting and fun,
and can lead to some wonderful discussions about the origins and appeal of
folk tales and even inspire kids to make up some of their own. There are
some worthwhile suggestions for using this video to spark some educational
projects on Disney's website.
"Cinderella 2: Dreams Come True" Did Cinderella really live happily ever
after with Prince Charming? We get to find out in this sequel to the
animated feature. Cinderella has some adjusting to do when she becomes a
princess and has to learn a whole new set of rules. The royal family learns
a few things, too, as she encourages them to open their curtains and take a
closer look at the world and the people around them. Cinderella's fairy
godmother grants some other wishes, one for one of the animal characters and
one for one of Cinderella's stepsisters, who turns out to be more lonely and
unhappy than mean.
"Jay Jay the Jet Plane" Three videos from the new hit PBS series are now
available. Jay Jay has to deal with feelings of jealousy and learns where
butterflies go when it gets cold and how to find things that are alike so
that he can count to 12.
"The Court Jester" One of my all-time favorite family movies has been
re-released on video and DVD, and it is a guaranteed delight for the whole
family. It has everything - adventure, swordplay, music, comedy, and a love
story.
Hawkins (Danny Kaye) is a follower of the Black Fox, a Robin Hood-style
rebel. He disguises himself as Giacomo, the King's new jester, to get
access to the palace. He finds himself in the midst of intrigue, hypnotized
into wooing the Princess (Angela Lansbury) by her lady in waiting (Mildred
Natwick), and hired by Sir Ravenhurst (Basil Rathbone) to kill those who
stand between him and the throne. Glynis Johns is the brave heroine he
loves. They are each proud of the other the way they are, almost
revolutionary for a movie of any era.
Although Hawkins has trouble remembering that the pellet with the poison is
in the pestle with the vessel, the good guys triumph, and "life could not
better be."
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