Mummy Hunt (Rugrats In Paris - The Movie (DVD))

Member Name: fooyoo

Product:	Rugrats In Paris - The Movie (DVD)
Date:	15/02/04 (83 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Amusing, Well written, Wide appeal

Disadvantages: We have watched it 4 times in 2 days!

Our film collection is starting to include more and more children's films now that our daughter is of an age when she is pretty vocal about her preferences. Our latest addition was 'Rugrats In Paris', which we picked up for £2.97 at our local Asda. The cartoon series is one of the favourites in our house, so we knew that the film would go down a treat, as I was sure the success it had at the box office ensured a quality offering. We also have the first film on video, so were keen to complete the small collection.

A lot of the attention in the film is focused on Chuckie, who viewers of the cartoon will know is red haired child, who is very hard to like at times. In the film, we find out that Chuckie's mother died (which was news to me) when he was an infant, and we find him pining for a mother figure. He decides that he will find a new mother, and he only wants one that will last forever, and it is here where the adventure starts as Chuckie and co (The Rugrats) go off in search of a mother for him. The quest takes the gang to Europe, and more specifically Paris. It is whilst the gang are in Paris, that Chuckie's father Chas is tricked into marrying the power crazed Coco Labouche, who bears more than a passing resemblance character wise to the legendary Cruella DeVille. Coco is the head of Euro Reptar Land (Reptars are the gangs favourite toys), and she hates children, but will only progress through the ranks of the company if she is the family woman her boss craves. The gang cause chaos as they try to get to Notre Dame Cathedral in time to stop the wedding. Do they do it? You don't think I would tell you that, do you??

All of the regular characters are in the film. Angelica, the spoilt, spiteful mean girl is there, and is as mean as ever. Spike, the f
amily dog makes a bold statement when he uses The Eifel Tower as a wall to pee on, and then has a love affair with a French poodle. Top child Tommy Pickles is there along with his little brother Dill, as it is down to his father Stu that the gang have ended up in Paris, and been introduced to Coco. He made a robot for the theme park she runs which did not work out as he planned it to. Twins Phil and Lil are there, and they seem to be the source of most of the wee and poo jokes throughout the film. The parents do accompany the children, but as with the cartoon series, they are generally too occupied elsewhere, doing who knows what to properly supervise their children, although surprisingly, they are given a couple of very funny lines, especially Betty, Phil and Lil's mother.

There are elements to this film (and most of the children's films at the moment) which are way too mature for the target audience. The humour is split into 2 categories, those jokes that will have the children laughing hysterically, and then the ones which pass the children by, but allow the parents to have a sly smile. This way everyone is happy, and attention does not wane too much.

The voiceovers are provided by a mix of actors, including the more well know Susan Sarandon and John Lithgow, to programme regulars, but relative unknowns such as Cheryl Chase and E G Daily. The soundtrack is mostly forgettable, apart from the gratingly repetitive, 'Who Let The Dog's Out'. Running time is 1 hour 18 minutes, so not too short to feel like another TV episode, but not too long to fail to hold your own rugrats attention.

Overall, I have enjoyed the film more than I enjoy the cartoon series on TV, and I am sure that this is not the last of the big screen adventures of 
7;huckie and co. There are are some real heart wrenching moments, but also some which really warm the cockles of the heart.

Summary: