“Home on the Range”

By David DiCerto
Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- A trio of cranky cows must band together to save their beloved dairy farm from being put on the block in the rip-roaring animated family feature "Home on the Range" (Disney). Writers-directors Will Finn and John Sanford turn the traditional western on its horns in telling a rootin'-tootin' cowboy yarn from the other end of the branding iron, resulting in a barnyard full of fun for moo-viegoers of all ages.

The story centers on Maggie (voiced by Roseanne Barr), a brassy prize cow sold into the cozy confines of the appropriately named "Patch of Heaven" dairy farm, owned by a kindly old homesteader named Pearl. The new-cow-on-the-block's rowdy manner causes the farm's prim and proper British heifer, Mrs. Caloway (voiced by Judi Dench), to practically choke on her cud. But, while Maggie's arrival ruffles some feathers -- literally -- and gets the goat of a cantankerous old goat named Jeb (voiced by Joe Flaherty), the stir is overshadowed by a visit from Sheriff Brown (voiced by Richard Riehle), who regretfully informs Pearl that "Patch of Heaven" is set to be auctioned in three days unless she ponies up $750 in arrears.

With no way of paying, Pearl resigns herself to selling off her farm. But Maggie is one cow who doesn't kowtow. She proposes to her barnyard buddies that they try to raise the money themselves. Accompanied by a reluctant Mrs. Caloway and a ditzy cow named Grace (voiced by Jennifer Tilly), Maggie sets out to capture Alameda Slim (voiced by Randy Quaid), a notorious cattle rustler with a $750 bounty on his head.

It is later revealed that Slim, disguised as a wealthy land baron, is using the money he makes off the stolen livestock to buy up all the foreclosed farms. With the desperado's sights set on "Patch of Heaven," the bickering bovines must put aside their personal beefs and work together to prevent an udder cow-tastrophe.

Helping steer them in the right direction is Lucky Jack (voiced by Charles Haid), a jackrabbit of all trades, and Buck (voiced by Cuba Gooding Jr.), a hyperheroic horse.

While Pixar partisans continue to pen obituaries for traditional animation, "Home on the Range" proves that there is still a place for hand-drawn films. With visuals clearly inspired by classic Western iconography, the movie boasts luscious big-sky backdrops exploding with vibrant mesa hues.

Unfortunately, eight-time Academy Award-winning songwriter Alan Menken's tumbleweed score falls short of his previous Disney collaborations, such as "The Little Mermaid" and "Aladdin." However, the film does contain several whistle-worthy songs, including the title rawhide romp "(You Ain't) Home on the Range" and "Yodle-Adle-Eedle-Idle-Oo," a psychedelic hoedown reminiscent of "Pink Elephants on Parade" from "Dumbo."

Laced with enough comic wit to keep older cowpokes from sleeping in the saddle, the film, while lacking the character development and mythic scope of "The Lion King," imparts a positive message about teamwork and camaraderie. For pure fun, there's hardly a discouraging word to be heard about this "Home on the Range."

Due to some brief mild rude humor and innuendo, as well as some cartoon violence, the USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-II -- adults and adolescents. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG -- parental guidance suggested.

* DiCerto is on the staff of the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.