Good fun for the whole family

Rating: 9/10 (29 July 2004)

Yeah, they always say that, but this really was fun for all ages. I thought it was funnier than Shrek or Monsters Inc, and it just had a certain loopiness that appealed to the adults. I think it's the best of all of these animated 'appeals to everyone' type flicks. Even the drawing style had a certain skewed idiosyncracy that was enjoyable.
And the required-by-law tearjerking heartstring-pulling scene was done with a subtlety, delicacy and tastefulness that was nothing short of great, in addition to passing over the heads of the tiniest audience members so as not to give them existential angst beyond their ability to handle.
Really well done. Two thumbs and two big toes up.