“Rugrats Go Wild” (Paramount Pictures)
Two of the most popular shows on the Nickelodeon Channel are “Rugrats” and “The Wild Thornberrys.” So what better idea for an animated movie than to combine these two groups of characters. And that is exactly what has been done in the new animated feature “Rugrats Go Wild.” You would think this would double the pleasure of anyone viewing the movie, but sadly it works in just the opposite way. It splits the fun right down the middle and you only have half of the entertainment you otherwise would have gotten.
In the movie all of the people from the “Rugrats” group embark on a pleasure cruise. When their ship sinks in a fierce storm they all wash up on a deserted island. Unknown to them the Thornberrys are on the other side of the island looking for some unique wild game.
When the babies wander off, led by Tommy Pickles, they encounter Sir Nigel. He is Tommy’s hero so this meeting is a paramount one for him. Meanwhile the wily Angela has met her match in super teen Debbie. They have a competition as to who can be the bossiest.
All of this is fun but none of it is hilarious. Plus the plot gets much too involved and the film runs on for too long. Smaller kids will be fidgeting before the ending arrives. When it comes out on DVD they can watch and switch it off when they get tired. They can’t do this in a movie theater.
Bruce Willis provides the voice of the Rugrats’ pet dog Spike. He gets a few humorous lines and even gets to sing a song. He and his voice don’t make much of an impression. Lacey Chabert is still the best voice provider as Eliza Thornberry.
The film is rated PG for some crude humor but it is mild. There are also a few scary moments involving the storm at sea and the wild animals on the island.
In the series of movies made featuring the “Rugrats” and “Wild Thornberrys” characters, this is the least enjoyable. In the future it would be wise to keep the two groups separated. Apart they are more fun than they are together.
I scored “Rugrats Go Wild” a frantic 4 out of 10.
