The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle

The original “Rocky & Bullwinkle” cartoon show was smarter than it needed to be, and a lot of adults took a peek here and there. Roger Ebert said in his review, “It helped point the way to today’s crossover animated shows like “The Simpsons.” Now comes the movie version of the TV show (which was canceled in 1964), and it has the same mixture of dumb puns, corny sight gags and sly, even sophisticated in-jokes.” It’s a lot of fun.

The 2000 movie mixes the animated moose and squirrel with live action – and even pulls three of the characters (Natasha, Boris, and Fearless Leader) out of the TV and into the real work (where they’re played by Rene Russo, Jason Alexander, and Robert De Niro respectively, and explain “we’re attached to the project”).

The faceless Narrator importantly explains: “Expensive animation characters are converted to even more expensive movie stars!” Obviously, the Narrator always seemed to look outside the events and know that “Rocky & Bullwinkle” was only a cartoon. At one point in this version, he, voiced by Keith Scott, complains he now narrates the events of his own life. Also, the movie is self-aware. Ebert mentioned, “when someone (I think maybe Fearless Leader) breathlessly announces, “There has never been a way to destroy a cartoon character until now!” he’s asked, “What about `Roger Rabbit’?”” The story is about a plan by Fearless Leader to win world domination by hypnotizing everyone with RBTV (really bad TV). Only Rucky and Bullwinkle have so many years of experience at ruining the evil plans of Fearless Leader, Natasha, and Boris, and as they walk their way to a final fight, we also get a complete road movie (happily acknowledged as a cliché by the Narrator).

Ebert said, “The movie has a lot of funny moments, which I could destroy by quoting, but will not. (Oh, all right: At one point Rocky cries, “We have to get out of here!” and Bullwinkle bellows: “Quick! Cut to a commercial!”) As much fun as the wit is the film’s overall sense of well-being; this is a happy movie and not the desperate sort of scratching for laughs we got in a cartoon retread like “The Flintstones In Viva Rock Vegas.”” This is they type of movie where De Niro parodies his famous “Are you talking to me?” line with such cheerful fun that instead of complaining, we think – well, everyone else has ripped it off. Why shouldn’t he get his own turn? The movie is chock-full of cameos, including Janeane Garofalo as a studio executive, Randy Quaid as the FBI chief, Whoopi Goldberg as a judge, John Goodman as a cop, Billy Crystal as a mattress salesman, James Rebhorn as the president, and Jonathan Winters in three roles. Ebert noted, “Russo makes a persuasive Natasha, all red lipstick, seductive accent and power high heels, and De Niro’s patent leather hair and little round glasses will remind movie buffs of Donald Pleasance.”

However, the real discovery of the movie is its (human) protagonist, a 23-year-old newcomer named Piper Perabo, who plays an FBI agent. She has good comedic timing and is so attractive, she kind makes you pause the movie. Ebert compared, “Like Renee Zellweger in “Jerry Maguire,” she comes more or less out of nowhere (well, a couple of obscure straight-to-videos) and becomes a star right there before our eyes.”

Comedy is such a delicate type of art. Ebert noted, ““The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” isn’t necessarily any more brilliant or witty or inventive than all the other recent retreads of classic cartoons and old sitcoms. But it feels like more fun. From time to time I’m reminded of George C. Scott’s Rule No. 3 for judging movie acting: “Is there a joy of performance? Can you tell that the actors are having fun?”” This time, you can. The right word for this movie is fun.

I remember seeing commercials for this movie and recall seeing this a lot on the movie channels when we first got cable. When I saw Nostalgia Critic’s review of this movie, I was expecting him to thrash it, like everyone else has, but he admitted to liking it. I didn’t see the entire movie until earlier this week. I started watching it, but then got sidetracked, and finished watching it yesterday. As a children’s film, I think this is fine. I would say check it out if you have a soft spot for good or bad puns, fourth wall jokes, and the type of awkward, yet still likeable charm. They got June Foray to reprise the role of Rocky, but Keith Scott voices Bullwinkle and the Narrator. Other cameos include Paget Brewster, comedian David Alan Grier, Don Novello, Jon Polito, Carl Reiner, Max Grodenchik, and Norman Lloyd. You don’t have to, but I still think you can give this one a try, if you would like to.

Next week, I will be looking at a good, but very emotional film, in “Robert De Niro Month.”