Grade: C+

Verdict: Not as inspired as the TV show.

Details: Animated film featuring the Nickelodeon 'toon characters. Directed by Stig Bergqvist and Paul Demeyer. Rated G. One hour, 20 minutes.

Rate it: Write your own review

Review: The City of Light gets short-sheeted in the new animated “Rugrats in Paris: The Movie.” You'd think Tommy, Chuckie, Angelica and all the kids went only as far as Vegas.

They're in France, running around EuroReptarland, a sprawling theme park backed by Asian cash and featuring a giant mechanical dino. They eat in a Japanese restaurant where blubbery Summo wrestlers sing karaoke. Nobody but Spike the dog seems to venture out to much of Paris.

Young kids will probably have a fine time at this movie (a recent pre-screening crowd especially came to life during The Baha Men's new song “Who Let the Dogs Out?”). Parents, at least, can tolerate most of it (they'll especially take notice of a nifty “The Godfather” spoof that bookends the flick).

The Rugrats have always been preoccupied with poop (what pre-toddler isn't?) and this new flick has them spending ample time talking about it and smelling it. As for the gag factor, “Rugrats in Paris” ranks pretty high (the worst moment involves the twins Lil and Phil, who'll eat worms, crud and everything else; they deplane in Paris clutching a used barf bag).

Somehow, the point of all this is that Chuckie Finster wants a mommy.

His widower dad Chas tries to oblige by cuddling up to seemingly sweet Coco LaBouche, the EuroReptarland operator who's really a soul sister to evil sorts like Cruella de Vil and that baroness to the “doe a deer” Von Trapps. LaBouche (voiced by Susan Sarandon) is only interested in being a mommy to secure her career with a Japanese boss who'll overlook her for a top job if she's not a family woman.

And then there's that giant metal dino, masterminded by Tommy's dad. It looks like it could go on an unexpected rampage.

Will Chuckie be taken in by LaBouche's feigned charm? Will she hijack the Finster roost? Will Paris be ravaged by a dino gone berserk? Well — yes, no and sorta.

It's an age-old story retold in an uninventive way using cute kids. It doesn't matter how weak the script is, Chuckie will win your heart every time he opens his mouth and speaks in that timid, nasal-dripping voice. You can bet on it.

— Bob Longino, Cox News Service