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The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle (2000) Universal Pictures 1 hr. 32 mins. Starring: Robert De Niro, Jason Alexander, Rene Russo, and a whole bunch of boring cameos. Directed by: Des McAnuff 
The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle Rating:  
E-MAIL GIANCARLO DE LISI Cartoon to live-action film adaptations are usually unsuccessful, and this film by far is no exception. ‘The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle’ has all the formulaic elements that entertain the children – a deep voiced-over narrator, a fast paced editing style, and the film is never scared to poke fun at itself. Yet, not even all these elements as well as all the cameos contained can revive this tepid, boring film. First and foremost, the lead in the film, up-and-comer Piper Perabo is completely miscast as the FBI agent sent to retrieve Rocky and Bullwinkle from the depths of TV land. Do not ask me how she does it, it involves the symbolism of the Hollywood ‘green light’ (a term used by producers when okaying the shoot of a film) that is so far-fetched, it is not even worth explaining. Perabo certainly was cast to make the picture more kid-friendly; yet, her appearance on screen makes her not even old enough to drive a car. Throughout the whole film it casts an evil look upon it because aside from the fact that we are watching an animated Moose and Squirrel save America, we know it is fiction – we accept that part. But just looking at Perabo smile her way through situations with that fake innocent look is enough to make me leave the movie right away. It just does not make sense. Secondly, it is a fact that Bobby D.’s production company Tribeca Films produced the film, maybe that was the only reason why he decided to play evil villain – Fearless Leader. Granted, De Niro does his best (because he is the best, no bias intended) at a weakly written character that even he seems embarrassed to play on screen. When an actor such as De Niro who personifies evilness in movies seems embarrassed to play a character – you know there is something wrong. Furthermore, Jason Alexander and Rene Russo accompany Bobby D. in the roles of the Russian spies, Boris and Natasha. Evidently, their horrible Russian accents are intended to be that way, and I cannot even believe two actors such as these agreed to embarrass themselves on screen with the poorest sight gags ever. It is obvious Director Des McAnuff intended for the film to be a live-action cartoon. It has all the characteristics of a cartoon, yet, lacks the appeal of one. Jokes that would play well on a cartoon, fail terribly here. And I mean terribly, the film was observed with children by my side, and when you do not hear any laughing when there is obviously a freeze in the movie to accept the laughs – you know there is something wrong. The movie opens up nicely, explaining in animated form where exactly our two characters Rocky and Bullwinkle have been for the past 35 years - apparently in re-runs (again, do not ask why), and since Fearless Leader and Boris and Natasha have transferred over into the real world through a television screen (again, please do not ask why) the FBI deems only Rocky and Bullwinkle worthy to capture these criminals who plan to zombify the world through their new television channel – RBTV (Really Bad TeleVision ). I got news for the makers of this film, somebody should have thought about not making a really bad film. Janeane Garofolo, Jonathon Winters, Randy Quaid, John Goodman and Whoopi Goldberg all make cameo appearances in what seems a blatant attempt in masking the true aspect that this is a bad film. It is well done, yet, the paper-thin plot does not hold its ground and it seems as is all these scenes were just strewn together to occupy 92 minutes of our lives. By the way, the animation of the two titular characters was nicely done, but when you are observing all the horrible aspects around these characters happening, these two seem to be left in the background collecting dust. Which is what this movie will be doing at your local video store. Click here to comment on this review or post your own thoughts. Giancarlo De Lisi © TheWorldJournal.com |
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