Movie Review by Vivienne Messenger
Starring (voices of): Bruce Willis, LL Cool J, Lacey Chabert, Cheryl Chase, Elizabeth Daily
Directors: John Eng, Norton Virgie
RUGRATS GO WILD combines characters from two very popular children’s TV cartoons THE RUGRATS and THE WILD THORNBERRYS – two series which have both won awards – so does the movie live up to the expectations of their fans?
Fortunately it does and with non-stop thrills and spills. The Rugrats and their beloved dog Spike (Bruce Willis) set off on a luxury dream cruise only to discover Stu Pickles (Jack Riley) has hired a diddy little a boat for them that’s seen better days. The holiday goes from bad to worse and when caught in a storm the inexperienced Rugrat crew manage to sink the boat. Taking to a life raft they are washed up on a deserted island – or is it?
Enter the Wild Thornberrys filming their latest documentary on the very same ‘deserted’ island until caught up in the Rugrat invasion that leaves amongst other things Mr Strawberry aka Nigel Thornberry (Tim Curry) thinking he’s a 3 year-old who runs amok through the jungle and underwater with Tommy (Elizabeth Daily), Chuckie (Nancy Cartwright) and the gang. Debbie Thornberry (Danielle Harris) also manages to sink her family’s RV with just a ‘little’ help from Angelica (Cheryl Chase) as the two team up in an excellently matched pairing. Spike teams up with Eliza Thornberry (Lacey Chabert) and Darwin (Tom Kane) the monkey on a rescue mission to find the young Rugrats and the Rugrat parents are in their usual quandary.
There’s so much action going on in this movie it’s difficult keeping up with the ‘diapered gang’ let alone the sniffing troubles Spike’s having that Eliza (who can communicate with animals) and Darwin are trying to help out with as well as the audience who all have scratch ‘n’ sniff cards to use throughout the movie when instructed to onscreen – an amusing novelty for the youngsters.
The interesting and funny storyline combined with the way in which the characters personalities are explored and their character traits exploited to the full is excellent. This, combined with first class animation, breathtaking pace and lively upbeat soundtrack will make the film a winner with adults and children alike.
