Good Family Fare, and that's about it

Rating: 7/10 (14 November 2001)

I seem to be bucking the trend, here. I've watched the top two recent movies - this one, and "Shallow Hal" - and I liked Hal much more. Don't get me wrong; this is a fine family film, with good quality CGI, a solid, well-told story, and all the rest. Go see it. Your kids, 'specially those about 7 to 12, will go googly over it, and you'll have a fine time, too. But like some reviewers, I found this didn't seem to have the warmth and 'humanity' of Toy Story I and II, nor does it have the sass and splash of Shrek. To me, its one of those efforts that is fine for what it is, I just happen to like more spunk, I guess. But by all means, take it in, especially if you have kids. It's a sound effort (if a bit draggy in the middle), and Goodman especially does a very nice job building his character.