MEET THE ROBINSONS

by Jane Louise Boursaw

MPAA Rating: G 
Suggested Ages: 3+
Released in Theaters: March 30, 2007
Reel Rating: 3.5 out of 4 Reels

Should you bring the kids? Yes! This is a sweet movie with an inspiring message. While it gets a little slow in the middle, it's still fun for all ages. For more info, see "Bringing the Kids" below.

THE STORY: Lewis may be only 12 years old – and an orphan, to boot -- but he's already a brilliant inventor with a number of clever gadgets to his name. His latest is the Memory Scanner, a device he hopes will stir memories of his birth mother. All he's ever really wanted is a family to call his own, but sometimes his inventions work against him. They're unpredictable, to say the least, and tend to scare off potential parents.

When Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen) enters the Scanner in a science fair, it's stolen by the mysterious Bowler Hat Guy (voiced by Stephen J. Anderson, who's also the director of this movie). His partner-in-crime is Doris (Ethan Sandler), a bowler hat by all appearances, but in reality, a smart piece of headwear with an array of gadgets at her disposal. She has a diabolical plan of her own and will stop at nothing to make it happen.

Shortly after the science fair incident, Lewis meets Wilbur Robinson (Wesley Singerman). He's a boy from the future who just might have the answers Lewis seeks. So he whisks him forward into his time zone – in a nifty flying car a la The Jetsons.

In the future, Lewis marvels at all the cool inventions – not only flying cars, but floating cities and everything under the sun. He's also introduced to Wilbur's eccentric family. As it turns out, they might actually need Lewis' help on something. So the two boys decide to hunt for Bowler Hat Guy to 1) reclaim Lewis’ valuable invention, and 2) make the future safe for everyone.

Based on William Joyce's 1990 book, A Day With Wilbur Robinson, this Disney movie also features the voice talent of Angela Bassett, Laurie Metcalf, Tom Selleck, and Tom Kenny, the voice behind many animated characters, including SpongeBob SquarePants, Penguin on The Batman, and Eduardo on Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends.

Original music was written by Rufus Wainwright and Danny Elfman, a guy who possibly has more film score credits to his name than anyone on the planet. Also, Meet the Robinsons will be offered in Digital 3-D at select theaters. I'm not crazy about 3-D and think it detracts from the movie, but that might be just a Jane thing.

BRINGING THE KIDS:

PRESCHOOLERS (ages 2-5): Finally! A movie that's rated G! They're oh so few and far between. While this movie boasts an evil villain or two, they likely won't have preschoolers waking up with nightmares. This film is bright, colorful, and filled with fun characters, including Frankie the Singing Frog, Tiny the T-Rex (ferocious at first, but a real softie underneath), and Lefty, a one-eyed purple octopus who's also the family's butler.

GRADE-SCHOOLERS (ages 6 - 10): All sorts of groovy gadgets inhabit this movie, and what's more, they're a kid's dream: flying cars, propeller hats, transporter tubes, and robots with assorted skills. Like so many Disney movies, this one features a storyline with missing parents, but you get the feeling that all will be well. The only objectionable scenes – if they could be called that – involve a hyper woman with a bunch of caffeine patches on her arm and a group of singing frogs who hang out at a bar.

TWEEN / TEEN (ages 11+): There's something for everyone in this movie, and it's nice when the filmmakers actually put some thought into the characters. Grandpa Bud likes to wear his clothes backward while searching for his always-missing teeth. Uncle Art (Adam West, a.k.a the original Batman in the 1960s) is an intergalactic pizza delivery man who takes his work very seriously. And Dr. Krunklehorn (Laurie Metcalf) is an inventor and a judge at Lewis' science fair. Her latest invention is the aforementioned caffeine patch. It's just like drinking 12 cups of coffee! Yeah, she hasn't slept for days. I won't give away the ending, but rest assured that it's all good.

SCORE: 3.5 out of 4 Reels.

JANE'S REEL RATING SYSTEM:

One Reel – Pathetic. Even the Force can't save it.
Two Reels – Tolerable. Coulda been a contender.
Three Reels – Thought-provoking. Something to talk about.
Four Reels – Wow! The stuff dreams are made of.

To read my other reviews, click HERE.