Transformers (2007)
Die hard Transformers fans who remember the 1980s hit cartoon show (it used to be introduced by Timmy Mallet on Wackaday) may not like it that, in a departure from the original series , Spielberg and co. have decided to go with some more modern vehicles. So Bumble-bee’s no longer a big yellow VW Beetle! Boo! However, those who can’t remember the original (pretty much anyone under the age of 30) will love the non-stop robo-action.
What you don't know is...
the 1986 “Transformers the Movie” was one of Orson Welles last ever films – one of his first was Citizen Kane.
Watch the Transformers 2007 trailer ; find out more about Transformers on IMDB; remember the transformers cartoon theme tune ; go to the Transformers official site
Scooby Doo (2002)
This is about as close as you’re going to get to the original series without going back to full animation. All the one liners are there, as are all the trademarks that made the original such a smash hit. There’s also a healthy dose of self mockery to ensure the grown-ups enjoy the ride. Anyone who found Scrappy Doo more than a little annoying (who didn’t?!) in the original will love the twist at the end. The only mystery that still remains is this – what IS a Scooby Snack??
What you don't know is...
In an early incarnation of the film, a certain Jim Carrey was attached to play Shaggy.
Watch the Scooby doo trailer; the opening credits of thecartoon; find out more about Scooby Doo the movie; visit the official Scooby site
The Magic Roundabout (2005)
The Magic Roundabout was originally bought by the BBC from France and dubbed into English – narrated by none other than Eric Thompson (Emma’s dad). This updated version has been injected with a shot of Hollywood action, and lacks the original’s subversive freshness, but maintains most of the charm. Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue and Ray Winstone all chip in with some decent voice work. It’s not quite as sharp as the Pixar/Dreamworks animation we’ve all become accustomed to – but it’s not wide of the mark.
What you don't know is...
The American version of the movie was called “Doogal” and was re-dubbed using American actors.
Watch the Magic Roundabout trailer; find out more about The Magic Roundabout; read a review.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles (1990)
The Samurai Pizza Cats and the Biker Mice from Mars were poor copies of what was undoubtedly the ultimate animal/mutant based cartoon action series set in a sewer... featuring a talking rat. “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles” was an animated TV show in the 80s, a trilogy of live-action movies in the 90s and more recently a computer animated movie (TNMT). The films are largely terrible – but keep an eye out for a rather snazzy-looking Vanilla Ice in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles II: The Secret of the Ooze. Classic.
What you don't know is...
In the UK the TV series was called Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles as the word “ninja” was deemed too violent.
Find out more about the Turtles; watch the Turtles movie trailer; watch the opening credits of the TV series;
Thunderbirds (2004)
The original puppets had tons more magic and charisma than the ‘live’ actors in this shoddy remake. Creator of the original TV series, Gerry Anderson, even refused to accept a $750,000 offer to write an endorsement of the movie for its release. A huge flop in America, one of the film’s only saving graces is the textbook performance of Sophia Myles as Lady Penelope. If only they’d cast Noel Gallagher as Parker...
What you didn't know is...
The movie is directed by Jonathan Frakes who played Riker in Star Trek.
Watch the Thunderbirds trailer; Busted performing Thunderbirds are go! music video; find out more about Thunderbirds;
Flintstones (1994)
Translating an animated classic into a live-action movie using real life actors isn’t always easy. Perhaps the most important piece of the jigsaw is the casting. In the case of 1994’s Flintstones they soooo nearly got it right. John Goodman as Fred Flintstone – spot on. Elizabeth Perkins as Wilma – made for the role. Rick Moranis as Barney Rubble – all good. Rosie O’Donnell as Betty Rubble? – Um... At least the sound-track (courtesy of the BC52s) sounds great!
What you don't know is...
Halle Berry plays a character called Sharon Stone (get it!?)
Find out more about The Flintstones; watch the trailer.
The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle (2000)
The Godfather, Goodfellas, Taxi Driver, Raging Bull, Heat, Casino... The list of classic Robert De Niro movies rolls off the tongue almost too easily. One best forgotten effort, however, is this half-animated half-live-action effort. The puns are silly and some of the gags will go over most kids’ heads, but seeing a double oscar winner acted off the screen by a cartoon moose and animated beaver makes this a worthwhile watch.
What you don't know is...
“The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle” came about as a combination of two shows – “The Bullwinkle Show”, and “Rocky and his Friends”.
Rocky and Bullwinkle trailer; find out more about Rocky & Bullwinkle. watch the cartoon series opening.
Dennis (1993)
We all remember Dennis the Menace, the lovable spikey-haired rogue from the Beano comics... Well this is technically nothing to do with him. When Dennis made his debut in the Beano, across the pond another comic strip with the same title popped up in newspapers across America – this time featuring a little blonde-haired trouble-maker with a similar zest for mischief. This led to a 1980’s cartoon series, and then on to this rather disappointing effort from 1993. Walter Matthau is a dead ringer for Mr Wilson, but in a casting travesty Macaulay Culkin was sadly overlooked for the lead role.
What you don't know is...
20,000 children auditioned for the role of Dennis (Macaulay Culkin was not one of them).
Find out more about Dennis; watch the 80’s TV version of Dennis; Dennis the Menace 2007 trailer.
Inspector Gadget (1999)
There are a few too many departures from the original cartoon series in this Disney feature. Matthew Broderick is well cast in the role of the man himself – but Rupert Everett seems too suave to be the evil “Dr Claw”. His face was never revealed in the 80s cartoon series, and you can’t help wondering whether it should have stayed that way in the movie. The action sequences are great though. It’s essentially Robocop for kids.
What you don't 'know is...
Inspector Gadget has 14,000 gadgets in his body.
Watch the Inspector Gadget theme; find out more about Inspector Gadget;
Speed Racer (2008)
Prepare for multi-sensory overload with this remake from the guys that brought you the Matrix. Speed Racer was a jolly little manga-based cartoon from the 60s. For the live-action version (baring more of a resemblance to some kind of outlandish video game than an actual movie) they’ve turned the action up to eleven and the colour dial up to at least twelve. What this lacks in plot, it certainly makes up for in pace.
What you don't know is...
The role of “Racer X”, which was eventually taken by Lost’s Matthew Fox, was turned down by Keanu Reeves.
Find out more about Speed Racer; watch the speed racer trailer; Speed Racer TV show theme.
Alvin and the Chipmunks (2007)
It’s hard to believe, but Alvin and the Chipmunks have been knocking around in one way or another for the last fifty years. For half a century this trio of squeaky-voiced, hairy critters have either been in the charts or on our screens - that’s longer than the BeeGees! Their most widespread successes were the TV shows from the 60s and then the 80s, which saw the Alvin and his chums take on a different contemporary song each week. The live action version from last year sees Jason Lee befriend a CGI version of the loveable rodents.
What you don't know is...
John Travolta was offered the role of “Dave”, but turned it down.
Find out more about Alvin and the Chipmunks; Alvin and the Chipmunks trailer; original TV series opening credits.
Garfield (2004)
On the plus side, Bill Murray sounds like he’s always been the voice of Garfield - his effortlessly sarcastic wit seems perfectly suited to the lasagne addicted fat feline. On the minus side, pretty much everything else about this film sucks. The acting’s not up to much and the animation’s nothing short of catastrophic. The original comic strip and cartoon series didn’t venture to far from Garfield’s litter tray, so this attempt to stretch things to well over an hour ends up a mangy mess.
What you don't know is...
Bill Murray recorded most of his audio for this while filming “The Life Aquatic” on a boat in Italy.
Find out more about Garfield; watch the Garfield trailer; visit the official Garfield site.