The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie

The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is a 1996 American animated adventure comedy film directed by Phil Roman and written by Paul Dini, based on the Cartoon Network series The Moxy Show. The film stars the voices of Bobcat Goldthwait as Moxy, Penn Jillette as Flea, Tress MacNeille as Dr. Robotnik, Jim Cummings as Snively, Frank Welker as Sonic the Hedgehog, and Tim Curry as King Acorn.
The film was released in theaters on July 26, 1996 by Turner Pictures.
== Plot ==
Moxy and Flea are two cartoon characters who live in a world where cartoons are real. One day, they receive a distress call from King Acorn, the ruler of their world, who is being held captive by the evil Dr. Robotnik. Moxy and Flea set out on a quest to save the king and stop Dr. Robotnik from taking over the world. Along the way, they are joined by Sonic the Hedgehog, who helps them battle Dr. Robotnik and his army of robots.
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was a critical and commercial failure, grossing only $8 million against its $20 million budget. It received mixed reviews from critics, who praised the animation and voice acting but criticized the plot and characters.
== Characters ==
Moxy (voiced by Bobcat Goldthwait) is the main protagonist of the film. He is a 3-D animated dog who likes to spend time goofing off and having fun with his sidekick, Flea.
Flea (voiced by Penn Jillette) is Moxy's sidekick, and usually the straight man of the duo, who enjoyed spending time and watching television with Moxy.
Dr. Robotnik (voiced by Tress MacNeille) is the main antagonist of the film. He is a mad scientist who wants to take over the world with his army of robots.
Sonic the Hedgehog (voiced by Frank Welker) is a blue hedgehog who helps Moxy and Flea on their quest to save King Acorn.
King Acorn (voiced by Tim Curry) is the ruler of the cartoon world and the father of Sonic the Hedgehog. He is captured by Dr. Robotnik and held captive in his castle.
== Production ==
==== Development ====
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was in development hell for many years. The film was first announced in 1992, but it was not until 1995 that production finally began.
== Animation ==
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was animated by Hanna-Barbera and Colossal Pictures.
== Release ==
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was released in theaters on July 26, 1996 by Turner Pictures.
== Home media ==
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was released on VHS and Laserdisc on October 15, 1996 by Turner Home Entertainment.
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was released on DVD on March 11, 2003 by Warner Home Video.
== Reception ==
==== Box office ====
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was a box office bomb, grossing only $8 million against its $20 million budget.
==== Critical response ====
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie received mixed reviews from critics.
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an approval rating of 50% based on 10 reviews, with an average rating of 5/10.
On Metacritic, the film has a score of 47 out of 100, based on 17 critics, indicating "mixed or average reviews".
Roger Ebert of the Chicago Sun-Times gave the film 2.5 out of 4 stars, saying "The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is a lot better than I expected, considering that it's based on a Cartoon Network series I've never seen."
Gene Siskel of the Chicago Tribune gave the film 2 out of 4 stars, saying "The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is a noisy, colorful mess of a movie."
Hal Hinson of The Washington Post gave the film a negative review, saying "The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is an uninspired, unimaginative kiddie matinee that will leave adults reaching for the aspirin."
Joe Morgenstern of The Wall Street Journal gave the film a positive review, saying "The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is a pleasantly raucous cartoon feature."
Janet Maslin of The New York Times gave the film a positive review, saying "The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is an agreeably frantic cartoon feature."
=== Accolades ===
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie was nominated for two Annie Awards.
=== Legacy ===
The Moxy & Flea Show: The Movie is considered to be one of the worst films ever made. It is also considered to be one of the worst animated films of all time.
Category:1996 animated films
Category:1990s American animated films
Category:American children's animated adventure films
Category:American children's animated comedy films
Category:American films
Category:Animated films about dogs
Category:Animated films about fleas
Category:Films directed by Phil Roman
Category:Hanna-Barbera
Category:Turner Pictures films
Category:The Moxy & Flea Show
Category:1990s children's films