Warner Bros' priorities leave something to be desired...

Rating: Null/10 (18 June 2000)

That features like this and "Cats Don't Dance" should be treated so poorly by Warner Bros (in the case of the latter it wasn't even released to UK cinemas) while "Space Jam" and "The Quest for Camelot" had the red carpet rolled out beggars belief. But I can understand why it had difficulty being sold; here's an animated feature without any song-and-dance numbers (all the songs are '50s numbers heard on radios or TVs), no merchandisably cute characters, nothing to mark it out as a traditional "kids" movie, and no trademarks like Disney has. They clearly think Western moviegoers aren't ready to sit through non-Disney-wannabes, and given that it flopped both in America and here they may be right (although if only the marketers had a clue...). This film is quality almost from beginning to end (the first few minutes were a bit weak setting up the story, but it soon finds its feet), although it may be a bit too sophisticated for the viewer who can't move beyond "The Flintstones" or "My Little Pony," and it definitely can't be accused of patronizing its audience. Genuinely moving, sometimes very funny and always involving, highly recommended.