Family films

[neglet]

If you're a parent like me, sometimes you get dragged into movies you don't really want to see ... so here's a thread where we can warn each other off, or alert each other to stuff that's not that bad.

So last weekend was Neglet Jr.'s birthday, and the laser tag place was booked so he wanted to take his friends to the movies. He wanted to see "Hoodwinked," and I hadn't wanted to see it because the trailers had put me off. Especially that extreme sports grandma--geez, not another postmodern kid's film going wink wink nudge nudge at the adult audience while forgetting about putting a real story in the film. Blech. But it was his birthday, so what're ya gonna do?

The first ten minutes, I wasn't feeling too good about my forced attendance. The animation wasn't the best, but I knew this was an indy flick so I hadn't expected it to be great. But when the girl character broke into a cheerful song, I cringed. Oh crap, a postmodern winky winky fairy tale that wants to be a happy Disney musical, too. Ugh.

But it got better. Essentially, the film shows the end scene of "Little Red Riding Hood," then tells the events leading up to it from four different points of view. It was rather clever, the way they did it. The funny stuff was integrated into the story, the voice work was good (I loved Patrick Warburton as the wolf), the happy musical number a one-off set-up, and later on ... a Ben Folds song! How groovy!

So I went in expecting to take a nap, but came out smiling. "Hoodwinked" is a lot better than most of the kiddie crap foisted on us, with good character work, some really funny dialogue, and a clever story that requires the kids to pay attention. I heard not a peep from Jr. and his three friends, so that's saying something. You could do a lot worse taking your kids to the movies.

[Trazalca]

Patrick Warburton is DA BOMB for all voice over work.
From the Tick to Kronk, he's just the best.
The family even watches the new tv cartoon
Emperor's New School, with PW as Kronk and Eartha Kitt as Yzma.
Silly fun that keeps the spirit of ENG intact.
Great mindless fun to watch that doesn't numb your brain
like half the offerings at Nogin (save Max & Ruby. I LOVE Max & Ruby.
As if you couldn't tell? )

[sickness]

Originally Posted by neglet

But it got better. Essentially, the film shows the end scene of "Little Red Riding Hood," then tells the events leading up to it from four different points of view.

So, what you're telling us is that it's basically Go for kids? Cool! I actually liked that movie a lot.

And Patrick Warburton is probably my favorite voice-over actor. He pretty much steals the show with whatever he does. Joe Swanson on Family Guy is probably my favorite animated character largely because of PW.

[DaForce]

Patrick Warburton in two words.....Brock Samson.





You haven't lived until you've heard him voice the Venture Bros. bodyguard.

[snippy]

PW is a GOD