© 1998 Viacom International Inc. All rights reserved.

Probably everyone has experienced picking up his or her favorite product at the store, be it cola or deodorant, only to find emblazoned across the front the boast, "NEW AND IMPROVED!" Upon sampling the product, the consumer immediately detects the newness, but is never quite convinced of the improvement. Die-hard fans -- and there are legions -- of television's Rugrats might have a similar reaction to The Rugrats Movie, which not only sends its toddler protagonists where no babies have gone before (and lived), but also makes heavy stylistic concessions to the accepted toon feature format.

A Different Klasky Flavor
This is not to say that The Rugrats Movie -- the initial foray into feature animation for both Klasky Csupo and Nickelodeon Movies -- is a poor film. On the contrary, under the helm of co-directors Norton Virgien and Igor Kovalyov, both veterans of the series, it is quite possibly the best directed and best paced animated feature since The Little Mermaid. However, in the process of coming to the big screen a fair amount of Klasky Csupo's trademark insouciance has been bartered for attempts to yank one's heart-strings. Even the studio's distinctive visual style has given way to conventionally lush and realistic settings. Gone, for instance, are the fish-eye, dutch-angle layouts and the sketchy, freehand style of the backgrounds. Replacing them are backgrounds that look, well, "Disneyesque," so much so that at times the scenery threatens to chew up the characters, which except for added shading and modeling retain their TV appearances. This is particularly noticeable with a progressive, real-time CG sunset that occurs towards the end of the film, which while beautifully crafted and technically impressive, seems wildly out of place in Tommy-and-Chucky Land.

Still, there's a lot to savor in The Rugrats Movie. The script by David N. Weiss and J. David Stem includes a level of sophistication that will keep adults interested and chuckling all the way through (although those seeking poo-poo gags will not be disappointed, either), and the songs -- mostly by Mark Mothersbaugh, with the old Chipmunks chestnut "Witch Doctor" recycled for good measure -- are well integrated into the action.

An Elaborate Tale
The complex plot begins with a parody of Raiders of the Lost Ark, complete with John Williams' original galloping musical theme, with Tommy Pickles (voiced by E.G. Daily) leading twins Lil and Phil Deville (both Kath Soucie), and best pal Chuckie Finster (Christine Cavanaugh), on a dangerous expedition in a ruined temple, that in reality turns out to be the Pickles' kitchen. The famous Indiana Jones rolling ball (here a CGI creation that sticks out from its surroundings like the proverbial sore thumb) transforms out of the babes' imaginations into the looming, rotund belly of Tommy's pregnant mom, Didi (Melanie Chartoff).

The opening serves to establish the almost brotherly relationship between Chucky and Tommy, which will be pushed to the limit as a result of the arrival of Tommy's newborn brother, Dylan (Dil for short -- "Dil Pickles," get it?). Tommy's entrepreneurial dad Stu (Jack Riley), meanwhile, is trying to perfect his latest invention, a new "perfect children's toy" called the Reptar Wagon, a freewheeling, dino-shaped kiddie vehicle that spews real flames from its mouth.