“Rugrats Go Wild”

By David DiCerto

Catholic News Service

NEW YORK (CNS) -- Just after the start of interleague baseball, here's interleague cartoons: "Rugrats Go Wild" (Paramount), the third film in the franchise, is a fun-filled animated adventure bringing together for the first time two of Nickelodeon's most popular kids TV series, "Rugrats" and "The Wild Thornberrys."

Directed by Norton Virgien and John Eng, and promoting a positive family-values message, this delightful cross-pollinating romp should prove satisfying for young fans of both shows, while written smartly enough to keep parental snoring to a minimum.

Despite the larger format, the film retains much of series' small-screen charm, keeping the focus on the zany tykes, including bossy Angelica (voiced by Cheryl Chase), timid Chuckie (voiced by Nancy Cartwright) and Tommy (voiced by E.G. Daily), an adventurous toddler with "a diaper full of dreams." Bruce Willis lends his gravel-toned pipes to Spike, their faithful dog, transforming the milquetoast mutt into a pooch with pizzazz.

As expected, the Rugrats find themselves in quite a pickle when Tommy's dad -- appropriately named Stu Pickles (voiced by Jack Riley) -- books the gang aboard a rickety vessel called the S.S. Nancy. Faced with walking the plank, Stu explains that their originally planned cruise aboard an ocean liner would have offered far too many distractions from the vacation's intended purpose: to spend quality time together.

Barely out of port, they hit the mother of all storms and find themselves marooned on a deserted, "dogforsaken" island. However, the Swiss family Pickles soon discover that they are not alone. Further up the beach, the famous nature-documentarian family, the Thornberrys, has set up camp.

The Thornberry clan, including intrepid explorer Sir Nigel (voiced by Tim Curry), his angst-ridden teen-age daughter Debbie (voiced by Danielle Harris) and wild boy Donnie (voiced by Flea), are currently tracking down a rare and elusive white leopard (voiced by Chrissie Hynde of the Pretenders).

In true "Rugrats" fashion, the mischievous mites and their "Wild" playmates get themselves lost and in hot water in the island's treacherous jungle interior. Back on the beach, the grown-ups are worried sick and ripe for epiphanies about the importance of family and parenting mea culpas.

But in order for the castaways to find their way back home, they must learn to work together -- and quick, before the prowling leopard makes these TV favorites into TV dinners.

While obviously targeted at younger audiences, the film moves along at a good pace and packs enough of a satirical punch to allow parents to leave the No-Doz pills at home. And whereas fans of the highly successful TV shows will have fun watching their favorite little rascals on the big screen, older viewers along for the ride should get a kick out of the many cinematic references peppered throughout. Besides the obvious allusion to "Gilligan's Island," the film subtly spoofs "Titanic," "Cast Away," "The Perfect Storm," "The Poseidon Adventure" and "Planet of the Apes," not to mention paying clever homage to a famous "I Love Lucy" skit. And while the animation is not in the same sandbox as Disney, the quirky, less polished artwork lends itself well to the characters' edgy, oddball personalities.

As an extra, albeit gimmicky, bonus, "Rugrats Go Wild" features interactive "odorama" cards, which are passed out to young audience members. When a number flashes on the screen during the movie, viewers can scratch the corresponding patch on the card and sniff smells ranging from strawberries to stinky feet.

In addition to imparting a strong message about the importance of families spending time together, the film also promotes a healthy respect for nature.

The USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification is A-I -- general patronage. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is G -- general audiences.

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