Film Critic to the Culver City Observer and over 132 Publications Worldwide including: The Observer, Inc., John Schimmenti, Inc., CCN, Inc.,
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RUGRATS GO WILD!
by
debbie lynn elias
The summer's second big "family"
film to hit the big screens "Rugrats go Wild!" brings a
new and exciting (okay, maybe not so exciting) concept to movie
viewing. Not merely the poorly scripted and unfunny cartoonish
tale of the Rugrats-Meet-the-Thornberrys, "Wild" is being
presented in Odorama. Yes folks, sad to say it, but scratch-n-sniff
has been taken to new lows here as periodically during the film, moviegoers
are prompted to scratch-n-sniff the special cards provided.
Based on the highly successful Nickelodeon franchises, the Rugrats
and the Wild Thornberrys, "Wild" is a merger of the Pickles
and Thornberry families. Now, I admit, I can tolerate the Rugrats
and I like the Thornberrys but put the two together and unfortunately,
you've nothing but a lot of noise, shouting and more noise.
Our story begins with Drew Pickles taking the "Rugrats",
including their beloved dog Spike, on the cruise of a lifetime and
one which could literally end their lives. Instead of a fancy schmancy
ocean liner, Drew's dream boat is nothing more than a rusted out bucket
of bolts. When hit by the "Perfect Storm," after imagining
themselves on the Titanic, they find themselves shipwrecked,
washed up and marooned on the shore of a "deserted island."
(Was Sherwood Schwartz the creator of this three hour tour, I wonder?)
As the Pickles family, led by the adventurous little Tommy,
embark on a scouting expedition of the island (too bad Gilligan wasn't
on board the ship - at least there would be some comic relief), they
quickly discover the island is not deserted! No, it seems they
have some co-residents - the Thornberry family, who are making yet
another one of their adventuresome documentaries...well, some are
making a documentary, Debbie Thornberry is working on her tan.
As luck would have it, the Thornberry's more or less serve as Rugrat
rescuers, but not without a lot of mishaps, misadventures and noise
along the way -- Sir Nigel Thornberry suffers a whack on the head
and reverts to his two year old self (so much for mature leadership);
thanks to Eliza Thornberry's ability to talk to the animals, we hear
the Pickles' pooch Spike talk for the first time and he sounds and
sings surprisingly like Bruce Willis; angst-filled, spoiled brat Debbie
Thornberry finds a soul-mate in the overly bossy Angelica Pickles
(and the two of them put together are enough to warrant ear plugs
being sold at the concession stand); a malfunctioning bathysphere
traps both families - together - at the bottom of the ocean; incessant
baby songs and more poopy diaper jokes than you can shake a can of
talcum at. By the end of it all, the adults in the
audience will find themselves begging for a Willis rendering of his
old Seagram's commercial - not to mention the alcoholic product advertised!
Directed by Rugrat and Thonberry veterans John Eng and Norton Virgien,
and penned by Kate Boutilier, I for one had much higher hopes for
what one would think is a winning combination of families. Unfortunately,
I think the dichotomy between the two presented too many differences
to create a smooth mix and too many opportunities to run afoul with
the story. And unfortunately, in light of the new standards
of excellence created in ‘Finding Nemo", even the animation in
"Wild" seems amateurish.
Adding insult to injury is the soundtrack. Okay, Bruce Willis
can sing, but a duet with Chrissie Hynde? And what about those
sing-alongs to tunes from The Clash, Aerosmith, and George Clinton?
Obviously former Devo member, Mark Mothersbaugh, sniffed one too many
poopy diapers before putting this track together!
Yes, there is some humor. Yes, there is some small amount of
charm; most of it emanating from Eliza Thornberry. Very
young kids will undoubtedly love the film simply because it's noisy,
has recognizable characters and its something to look at (although
I'm certain not even my 11 month old nephew will survive it).
But for the rest of us, I think this Odorama experience should
be reclassified as "Stinkarama." - big time!
Drew Pickles/ Chaz Finster: Michael Bell
Marianne Thornberry: Jodi Carlisle
Chuckie Finster: Nancy Cartwright
Eliza Thornberry: Lacey Chabert
Didi Pickles: Melanie Chartoff
Angelica C. Pickles: Cheryl Chase
Sir Nigel Thornberry: Tim Curry
Tommy Pickles: Elizabeth Daily Spike: Bruce Willis
Paramount Pictures presents a film directed by John Eng and Norton
Virgien. Written by Kate Boutilier. Running time: 81 minutes. Rated
PG (for mild crude humor).