Fat Albert Movie
Storyline
TAGLINES
Hey! Hey! Hey! Christmas Day
Fat Albert and the rest of the Cosby Kids are living happily in their animated world of Philadelphia when one day, a young teen cries on her remote control because she doesn't have any friends. Fat Albert and his gang then magically come out of her TV and enter the real Philadelphia! They decide-being such good kids-to help the teen make friends. Albert then falls in love with the girl's beautiful foster sister-but oh, no! If Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids stray from their TV world, they begin to fade away! Will Albert be able to return home after enlisting the help of Bill Cosby himself, or will he and his gang vanish forever? Go and see to find out!
| Kenan Thompson | Fat Albert |
| Kyla Pratt | Heather |
| Shedrack Anderson III | Rudy |
| Jermaine Williams | Mushmouth |
| Keith Robinson | Bill |
| Alphonso McAuley | Bucky |
| Aaron Frazier | Old Weird Harold |
| Marques Houston | Dumb Donald |
| Dania Ramirez | Lauri |
| Omarion Grandberry | Reggie |
| J. Mack Slaughter | Arthur |
| Rick Overton | Coach Gillespie |
| Alice Greczyn | Becky |
| Farnsworth Bentley | Salesman |
| Joel Zwick |
4.00 out of 10 (2658 votes)
Visitor Reviews
A mildly amusing movie with great messages
posted on 02 Aug 2009Teenage Doris has a problem. No one wants to be her friend or invite her to their parties. As she is crying over the television's remote control, a tear drops into the device. As she happens to have a Fat Albert cartoon on the set, her sadness seeps onto the title character. Albert insists on jumping through the screen, along with his friends, to help her develop a more positive self image. While they are in the real world, the whole gang adapts to modern culture quickly. They never lose sight of their true goal, however. Will Fat Albert and his crew be able to better Doris' life? It is so satisfying to watch a film for teens and children that is determined to amuse and enlighten without objectionable material. Although the story is somewhat weak and a bit wandering, Albert and the actors playing the gang members are just wonderful, as is Doris and her lovely cousin, Laurie. Bill Cosby himself has a small part in the film, too. If you are a choosy parent, who screens every film before making a decision on a movie's worth, you will probably give thumbs up to this new entry into family features. It has an upbeat message that overcomes any weaknesses.
Gonna Have a Good Time!
posted on 21 Jul 2009I finally got to see the Fat Albert movie yesterday and I have to say I really enjoyed myself. I remember seeing a few Fat Albert cartoons when I was little, they must have been in reruns by then. It wasn't on for very long and I never knew the title and for years I wondered "Whatever happened to that show?" So I was happy to see them in the spotlight again thanks to VH1's "I luv the '70s" and of course the new film.A lot of my friends didn't think it would be worth seeing (most of them had never heard of the show.) I was a little hesitant myself considering my disappointment with the recent film adaptations of Rocky and Bullwinkle, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and The Cat in the Hat. Making a beloved cartoon into a live movie sounds like a great idea but somehow it's rarely a success.But thankfully Fat Albert, unlike its predecessors, had a clear story line, not too ridiculous or confusing. It was nice to see a kid's film that didn't rely too much on potty humor or cynicism. These characters were desperately trying to help a friend, not trying to win a battle or be popular. I liked the jokes about the quirks of animated characters. Like when Doris asks "Don't you guys make any noise when you enter a room??" or when she hands them sodas and asks if they're going to drink, to which they reply, "Not unless someone writes that we're thirsty!" Fat Albert himself and the gang were all very funny and endearing. I wish their characters had been developed a bit more (and earlier in the movie) but each one did get his moment to shine. The audience clearly felt bad for Rudy when he missed out on asking Doris for a dance. Yeah I did notice Rudy's edge was taken off a bit, but I didn't think the character was completely changed, more like he became the reformed bad boy. The kind that used to be a bad boy and still kind of is but has matured some. That was OK with me. I think the film's writers were trying to make all the characters more "current." That's even more obvious by how cute and cuddly they look in their new animated incarnations. Take from it what you will, sometimes it worked sometimes it didn't. Musmouth actually had a very nice voice when he learned to talk correctly. But I was glad he didn't stay that way, it just wouldn't be the same! I thought the switching between animation and the real world worked very well. For a minute, I was worried Fat Albert wouldn't make it back into the TV in time! One good moment was Fat Albert's speech at the end about how good it feels knowing someone somewhere is thinking of you. I think we all take comfort in knowing that. Bill Cosby's scene with his old friends was sad but touching and a nice nod to how the cartoon came into being in the first place.Cosby has done a great service over the years trying to send messages in his comedy and shows. The Fat Albert movie does live up to that legacy. And judging from the huge amount of children in the theater I went to, this show's fan base will be around for quite awhile. :)
Cute and entertaining
posted on 29 Jun 2009Keeping your expectations low is the key to this cute but silly film. The extraneous plot is razor thin and even almost unnecessary as it's merely a joy to watch Keenan Thompson as a live action Fat Albert. This is a pleasant watch throughout, although somewhat underdone if anything. Examples: the film's villain is not very evil, the Bill Cosby cameo is tacked on, and the fish out of water timepiece is not explored for long. I also felt that they didn't concentrate any effort on characterizing the Cosby Kids other than Fat Albert himself. Rudy, for example, in the cartoon was a smart aleck who was the least likable of the gang but in the film, he's a sweet kid who simply dresses like Rudy. Although easy to criticize, the film can't help but be charming and likable without any pretensions. What's more, it's a good choice for children-- I can't think of anything objectionable here that my three-year-old couldn't watch. Rating: 6/10
Blast From the Past
posted on 31 May 2009I grew up watching "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" on Saturday mornings. Even though I don't remember the specifics of many episodes, I remember the shows general format and the theme song is something that I random find myself humming or singing sometimes. The show had a lot of comedy, but each episode also contained an important message told in such a way that kids could understand it and incorporate it into their lives. It wasn't until I was older that I learned Fat Albert had been a comedy sketch that Bill Cosby had created based upon his own life and that Fat Albert had indeed been a real person that Cosby had hung out with as a child. "Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids" was a great series to watch as a kid and I'm glad that some of the episodes are now available on DVD.
However, as much as I enjoyed the Fat Albert show, I don't think it was necessary to make a live-action movie of the show. Hollywood seems to be running dry on originality so eventually probably ever show ever made will be turned into a film sometime. Not only that, but when Hollywood does turn tv shows into big screen movies, they usually change the show around so much that the movie really no longer resembles the show, e.g. THE DUKES OF HAZZARD.
Sometimes the original format is changed, such as in BEWITCHED where Will Farrell's character is starring in an updated television version of the show. FAT ALBERT is kind of like that. Fat Albert and the gang are very happy in their animated lives. However, a young female fan of the show, Doris, begins crying because she has no friends. There can be magic in tears and Doris tears causes Fat Albert and the gang to leave their animated Philadelphia and enter her living room. Cheerful as always Fat Albert and the gang do what they can to cheer Doris up and help her make friends. However, Albert falls in love with Doris' foster sister, Lauri and doesn't want to return to his own home. But Albert's decision has an effect on his whole gang because every moment they spend outside of their tv world causes them to fade. If they don't return home soon, they will all fade away.
FAT ALBERT doesn't contain cursing, sexual innuendo, or graphic violence. Outside of a dance party, the antics of the live action versions of the animated characters stay true to the spirit of those characters. The movie doesn't take anything away from the original television show and in some way enhances it because it has introduced a new generation to the lovable character of Fat Albert. The movie does have some minor continuity flaws and at times it is a little sappy. However, I didn't think I was going to like the movie very much but after viewing the film found that I enjoyed it. Kudos to Bill Cosby; he could have sold out with this film, but he didn't.
Family Postmodern Gehtto Sci Fi at its best
posted on 20 May 2009For a movie aimed at kids, this is pretty fantastic. I don't have kids, but I went to see this out of nostalgia for the teevee cartoon I loved.The film basically makes surrealism literal - it answers long-ignored questions about why cartoon characters cannot exist in our world when they are often facing the same situations as us. So many parameters of the cartoon/reality continuum are challenged and the film arrives at perfectly comprehensible solutions.If it were a science fiction film, every geek would be crawling through broken glass to see it, but the anti-reality set will poo-poo this flick because of its childish precepts and ghetto roots, but it is closer to Salvador Dali than anything else that tried to tackle the surreality of cartoons confronting the reality of our world.And the actress who plays Lori was fine.
It's been almost 30 years....
posted on 15 May 2009Hey, hay hey! Does anyone REALLY give a damn, damn, damn about Fat Albert anymore? It was funny for five minutes when it was new; now it's just there, because so many people have been told by hypemeisters it's iconic, they believe it is. As a kid's movie, it ought to hold their interest for, oh, maybe 25 seconds. Still, it's what many adults will SAY is a perfect kids' film. That doesn't make it so. But I'm sure the movie will do OK, and the marketers will have a ball.
And of course, most of us were getting concerned that Bill Cosby just doesn't have nearly enough money yet, so he needs to retread an old property for more.
Wonderful!
posted on 14 May 2009This movie was awesome! It was very positive and stayed true to the original show. The story is very heartwarming! I watched "Fat Albert" every Saturday morning during the early 1980s, and I saw reruns of it during the later part of that decade, so this movie was nostalgic for me. Bill Cosby should be very proud of this movie! The ending was very touching, and the characters of Doris (Kyla Pratt) and Lauri (Dania Ramirez) were played very well! Kenan Thompson made a wonderful Fat Albert! I hope to see Dania Ramirez in more movies! I hope that this movie gets people to buy DVDs of the original series! Oscars all around!
Complete and utter nonsense
posted on 10 May 2009I just bought the original series DVD's before this movie came out and looked forward to seeing it.I sat through 45 minutes and realized that nothing made any sense, there was barely any story, and the characters were not even close to what Cosby put out in the 70's This movie was badly written, poorly acted and painful to watch.I feel very sorry for anyone who paid 8 dollars to see this junker.Cosby should be ashamed that he actually made a movie worse than Ghost Dad and Leonard Part VI.Fat Albert could have been edited to 15 minutes long and still got the point across, instead it dragged on for what seemed an eternity.
Fun, family entertainment
posted on 01 May 2009This movie reminded me of the nostalgic trend to turn 70s TV into campy movies. Since I love camp, and 70s TV, this was a perfect fit for me.
The Fat Albert TV show was a Saturday morning fixture in my house growing up, and I still remember some of those `no class' put-downs. I also remember getting a little tired of Bill Cosby doing everybody's voice. In Fat Albert the movie, of course there was none of that, and the Bill Cosby cameo was hilarious and touching at the same time.
I liked the way the movie played around with the fact that these were TV characters; it added a surreal element to the movie. I also thought it was funny the way the characters remained very 70s, kind of like in the Brady Bunch movie, but the spirit in this movie was a lot sweeter.
This was a movie you could watch with your children, pausing from time to time to tell them about a character you remembered from childhood. It appealed to my children, who had never seen the original show, as well as to me. And that's why it's one of the 7 happiest black movies of all time.
Highly Enjoyable! Flawed, but Enjoyable!
posted on 12 Apr 2009Fat Albert, released December 25th, 2004, is released by 20th Century Fox. It is rated PG by the MPAA for momentary language and is directed by Joel Zwick (My Big Fat Greek Wedding).Fat Albert, the live-action adaptation of the Bill Cosby television show, explores what might happen if Fat Albert, Mush Mouth, Dumb Donald, and the rest of his problem-solving gang were supernaturally crammed through the TV screen and landed in our "real" world. The journey begins when a lonely and friendless teenager named Doris' tear falls into the remote control of the television set. That's all it takes to summon Fat Albert's want to help people with their problems! He (with some difficulty) hoists himself through the screen and drags the rest of his somewhat unwilling friends with him. Doris, amazed and terrified, helps her odd visitors find their way through this new world before the next time their cartoon show comes on. Amidst all the new inventions and places that Fat Albert and his gang discover (e.g. the mall), they still won't rest until Doris has a friend. But, alas, their innocence and charm won't do them much except make it worse in this century! Realizing this, Albert convinces Doris to come to one of the cheerleader's birthday parties. Doris makes known her hate of parties, but tries to make the best of it. When Doris is embarrassed at the party, she is sure that she has no problem and does not need Fat Albert. Her foster sister, Lori, is falling in love with Albert, but who does she have?That's not the end. Fat Albert is determined to be with Lori, solve Doris' problem, and get back to his TV show before he turns to dust! This movie's sweet ending and hilarious humor will leave you in tears!Although this movie is funny, it took some time to start up. One thing that bothered me was the advertisement for the boxed set of Fat Albert DVD's that appears briefly in the film. The setting and storyline isn't terribly different from many Disney shows and Family movies now. It is almost scary how much it resembled Space Jam, starring Bugs Bunny and Michael Jordan, though it has considerably more charm. It may be a hair too long (1 hour 40 minutes) for some moviegoers, but all in all is a great movie that doesn't meddle with the show it's based on!
Very entertaining & very touching.
posted on 24 Mar 2009I wasn't too sure if I'd enjoy this remake of the 70's cartoon classic, since it seems like every show from the 60's, 70's & 80's has been remade in one way or another. Some of the remakes have been okay, while others have been just plain awful.
In this case, the remake was very good. The characters were very similar to the original characters, almost identical. The movie starts with a little girl watching Fat Albert & The Gang on television in one of their many animated shows. As usual, Fat Albert is trying to help someone with a problem. Suddenly, he sees a little girl crying. It is the little girl watching the Fat Albert show on her television. All of a sudden, Fat Albert himself comes through the television set and straight into her living room. She can't believe her eyes. Soon after, the rest of the gang follow Fat Albert into the real world. Fat Albert discovers the girl is crying because she has no friends. So they set out to help her make friends, trying not to embarrass her too much along the way.
The storyline is excellent. Fat Albert is very likable in this movie, as his relationship with Laurie, attests to. Laurie, is the very attractive older sister of the little crying girl. I can't remember her name, sorry. Anyway, Laurie is attracted to Fat Albert, much to the chagrin of Omarion's character, who wants to go out with Laurie. He tries many times to ridicule Fat Albert so as to get him to go away, but he fails everytime, as Fat Albert is not really real, therefore, he can pretty much do anything he wants to do. But it's just good old-fashioned charm that works the best for Fat Albert.
Things get out of hand at times, but in a funny and loving way. Good qualities throughout the whole movie. There is no cursing or sexual references in this movie, which makes it watchable for everyone.
So sit down and enjoy.
Larry
Anorexic "Albert"
posted on 26 Feb 2009After two and a half decades of trying to bring "Fat Albert" to the big screen, everyone's favorite fatty made the big screen jump for the Xmas season of '04. Sadly, "Fat Albert" is two and a half decades to late.
The film starts with a young girl named Doris who is shy and not very popular, and feels like a total outcast at school. Running home after school and feeling totally bummed, she switches on the T.V. & watches an episode of "Fat Albert & The Cosby Kids".
While watching the show, Doris finds out that the episode is similar to what she's facing in school & as a tear from Doris falls from her cheek & hits the T.V. remote magic happens (I could hear the film start to nosedive when this happened).
In the animated world, Fat Albert senses trouble and looks to the sky. After seeing Doris' tear fall from the sky, a portal is opened and Albert jumps through into the real world. The Cosby Kids follow suit and find Doris totally freaked out. Albert calms her down saying the boys are here to help her with her problem. Of course, Doris denies this, but, Albert insists on solving her problem. A real problem arises when the boys notice that their colors are fading (they are after all animated) & have only a limited time to help Doris before they become nothing but a memory.
There is a lot that isn't so hot with the film. Now don't get me wrong, I love Bill Cosby and all the work he's done in the past (from "Picture Pages" when he was on Captain Kangaroo all the way up to "The Cosby Show" & "The Cosby Mysteries". Not to mention his stand-up routines are classic).
But, The Cos has had a few problems with trying to get a big screen hit & "Fat Albert" is no exception. The first problem is the animation. Its not in style with the old animation from the show (the new animation is too cartoonish). The moral of the story is too sunny and, I hate to say it, but, seems outdated (I know something better could have been brought to the table). What becomes animated should stay animated. It worked for "Roger Rabbit" & it could've worked here.
The only nice touch to the film is when Albert meets his creator (you know who) and explains to him how and why he is in Doris' world. The end scene with Cosby and the gang that "Fat Albert" is based on, was also a charmer.
"Fat Albert" is a film that is made to attract new fans to the gang, but, sadly shuts out the older fans.
I truly recommend the new DVD box set of the show, with all the original animation & voices, Cosby style.
Joey rents a movie; FAT ALBERT
posted on 23 Feb 2009Well, at least Fat Albert's suit looks good. Everything else in this film is overly cute, happy, and oh so NOT Fat Albert of the 70's. This film is actually embarrassing in its cuteness and harmlessness, and I couldn't stand that.Fat Albert begins with a troubled teen named Doris (Kyla Pratt) getting a nasty surprise when the characters from the Fat Albert TV show come out of her screen! Can you believe that! What FUN! Now, the best that I can explain the rest of the plot is like this; Fat Albert and his posse run around and...have fun. There is almost no recognizable plot line to the story, and it is a horrible attempt at recreating Fat Albert of the 70's. And that just proves that you can't adapt Fat Albert for today's audiences. This film should have been something that was pleasing to fans of the 70's TV show. Instead, it has been modernized to please today's audiences, and Fat Albert loses its charm when that is done. Fat Albert feels soulless.There is also a problem posed with this film; How can you even attempt to pull off a serious dramatic moment in this film with those characters in that ridiculous attire? Did the costume designers have to make the costumes that ridiculous? There are countless moments in the film where you will often be questioning if the film is not indeed just a joke itself.Kenan Thompson is, surprisingly, the perfect Fat Albert. I have always admired Kenan's sense of humor, way back to his days on All That and Kenan and Kel. Kenan has a very bright future, unlike the makers of this sad piece of crap. I can not believe Bill Cosby had anything to do with this film.BOTTOM LINE: There is a problem with almost every aspect of this film. Kyla Pratt is miscast as Doris (Raven Symone would have works SO much better here), the posse is way too annoying, the story is a joke, and the list goes on. But if there is one good thing that I can say about Fat Albert; there will (hopefully) be no sequel.Letter Grade: C- #Score: 4.5/10 Stars: **/4
Unrealistic Expectations??
posted on 01 Feb 2009I noticed that the vast majority of voters either scored this movie as a "1" or a "10", so it appears that most people either loved it or hated it. I truly believe that the only people who could possibly hate this movie are those who would have hated the TV show. If you enjoyed the TV show, like most of us born in the 60's, then you will at least really enjoy the movie. If you've never seen the TV show, then why would you even be interested in going to the movie? This is a movie designed for nostalgia and for no other reason. I'd be curious to hear what the "haters" were expecting. The movie was very true to the TV show, and my wife and I both are now wanting to see the old cartoons on TV again.
Great Film For Fans
posted on 23 Jan 2009I too was surprised on how good this movie is. The cartoon series really does come to life in this live-action film. It's funny to see Fat Albert and the gang try to live in the 21st century, so much has been invented since they have been on TV and they don't know how to use a lot of it. Not to mention they don't even know what some of the stuff today is. My personal favorite scene is when they discover Rap music and begin to dance, it's a small part that is just hilarious! I really do recommend this film, it's fun for all ages.
Should have been made for T.V.
posted on 18 Jan 2009The "plot" for this movie is very week. I think it should have been a made-for-TV movie.BUT...the actors who play the Cosby Kids are actually really funny. They get the body movements and voices of the cartoon characters down very well. It's the sort of thing where they will be walking or singing or something and since there are so many characters you can't focus on all at once but you will catch something out of the corner of your eye and it is hilarious. Not sure this makes up for the cheesiness of the rest of the film, but it did make the movie funnier.ALSO, the other redeeming quality is that Bill Cosby was involved in the making of the movie. I know that the original characters were based on his stand-up routine. And, it seems like they each character was based on someone he knew. If this is true, it makes this movie a sort of homage to those friends that were the basis for the characters. Which is a very sweet idea.
Philly's Finest Brought To LIfe
posted on 16 Dec 2008After reading everyone's reviews for the recently released Fat Albert. I will have to strongly disagree with all of the nay sayers. Lighten up people. This is a kids movie, and not only is it a kid's movie...It's a movie that ignites that sense of nostalgia for us adults who still cherish their childhood memories. I don't think this film was made in order to gain an Oscar nomination. This is simply a well rounded, comical, entertaining film with a great message. I'm not going to recap every event that took place in the film, but Bill Cosby makes a credible appearance and discusses the origins and foundation of Fat Albert and the rest of the gang whom, he created from his actual childhood friends in North Philly. The final montage/scene displays Bill Cosby and the real life "gang" from Fat Albert all at the grave of the "real" Fat Albert paying their respects as elderly men, who then walk away and return to having fun, joking, and enjoying their lives....That scene alone will have you in tears. I too, just as another reviewer indicated had to turn my face from my goddaughter to hide the tears. This film isn't only for those who remembered what this cartoon series was all about, with its weekly positive messages. This was also a film for those who have had lifelong friends and haven't forgotten the true innocence of being a kid. Open your heart and go see this movie.
Never let go of your youthful spirit.
Could Have Been Better But still fun
posted on 08 Dec 2008Growing up I was enjoyed Fat Albert, when I first heard they were making a movie I was a bit excited, until I saw the set photos and heard about the plot. Little did I know when I went to see the film this past Christmas I would actually enjoy it. The movie starts out almost promising enough- with a Fat Albert cartoon. Only it's animated with current technology, and has the obligatory CG in it, since all cartoons these days need CG. Fat Albert and the Junk Yard Kids are playing a game of Buck Buck with the rival kids. Cut to the main character- Doris, a girl in highschool who isn't invited to a party. And it's understandable with a name like that. She goes home and watches Fat Albert, still crying over not getting invited, and one of her tears hits the remote. Somehow, this sends the tear into the TV, where Fat Albert and the gang sees it. Albert sees Doris is upset, and...jumps out of the TV to help her out. The gang follows, and Doris is left wondering what the heck just happened. She says that she's sad because she can't find her backpack. They see it on the couch, and she thanks them and tries to get them to go back into the TV. But, the show's over, and they can't. Yes, they realize they're cartoon characters, which is actually a good touch on the writers' part. I'm sick of movies where they don't understand that they're not "real". But, she's stuck with them until the show's on again, which isn't until the next day at 2:30. They follow her around town, where they find out that she's sad because she doesn't have any friends. When they follow her to school, they make sure to say this in front of the whole class, and tell people to be her friend. This happens a few more times, and keeps embarrassing her. Fat Albert starts to get puppy love for Doris' foster sister (who is a lot like Shannon Elizabeth- she looks decent, but talks awkwardly and can't act). A guy who has a crush on her from school, played poorly by *sigh* Omarion, doesn't like this, and tries to one-up Albert from time to time, failing miserably. Along the way, not much happens, and I think we all know how much Albert will want to go home after getting Doris' sister to like him.
Yes, the plot is predictable, but it's also pretty boring. Don't get me wrong, I tried to like this movie and accept the charm from the characters. But it just wasn't there. The only Junk Yard Kids that do anything are Mushmouth and Dumb Donald. I swear, Bill served no purpose aside from completing the gang. Old Weird Harold had his moments, but never did much else when they were over. Bucky was there to look creepy (he looks like Dave Chappelle fused with Beetlejuice from Howard Stern), and I honest to god don't remember Rudy doing anything important. Yeah, I know the title of the movie is Fat Albert, but why include the gang if you're not going to use them equally, if at all? And the "problems" Doris faces aren't anything big. We don't find out what her real problem is until later on, and I don't get how someone as good looking as Kyla Pratt could have self-esteem issues. Either way, it was a chore for me to sit through the whole movie. You know things are bad when you think it's almost over, then check the time to see that it's only 15 minutes into the movie. A lot of the acting was terrible as well. Kyla and Kenan were the only ones that gave any effort. Omarion was horrendous, giving weird facial expressions I haven't seen since this one koala ran head-first into a parked jeep on Animal Planet. But, while Kenan did look just like Fat Albert, his voice could've used work. Some scenes had him talking like Albert, others had him talking like Kenan. And what was with all the cameos? The umbrella guy who runs around with Andre 3000 was here, a certain ponk band's lead singer, Aaron Carter with his giraffe-neck, and a few others showed up for a few quick minutes. I'll give the movie one extra star for a great ending sequence. The final moments were touching and a nice tribute. It's not something to not show the kids or anything, but it was a nice bit of respect
Fat Albert you surely didn't let me down.
posted on 02 Dec 2008Bill's script keeps the spirit of the original characters intact, and incorporates them into the real world without an overkill of "Oh, wow! Things are so different now!" style of jokes. This movie is made for kids, not at kids. Things are kept simple without being condescending, and at no time will adults have to talk their way out of explaining something "Adult" to the kiddies.
"Fat Albert" stands above most of what I have seen with my kids lately. Beside a wonderful dose of nostalgia for boomers, this is a movie packed with humor, solid entertainment, decency, and important lessons about life. To me, that's what children's entertainment is about.
And there were bonuses for adults as well...
I thought the cast succeeded in capturing what we loved about the cartoon characters. Dumb Donald, Mush Mouth, Fat Albert were all on target and delivered more to love in their human form.
I also appreciated the movie's ability to laugh at itself. I cracked up when The Cosby Kids were waiting outside the girl's apartment the morning after they met. They didn't need to sleep, eat, or go to the bathroom...because Hey! Hey! Hey!, they're cartoon characters.
Lastly, the connection to the girl's grandfather Al was a lovely tie-in and the scene at the cemetery where the grown up Cosby gang paid tribute to their friend was sentimental without being sappy.
Can I pick apart small things about the movie? Absolutely! However, this movie provided my family and myself with such good feelings, smiles, and conversation afterwards that there is no need to bother.
Compare this with other kids movies that are chock full of scatological humor and impending sexuality and you will see that "Fat Albert" stands far and above. Again a fun little movie that the whole family will enjoy, and for once, that's a good thing.
Great fun filled movie
posted on 26 Aug 2009Growing up I was enjoyed Fat Albert, when I first heard they were making a movie I was a bit excited, until I saw the set photos and heard about the plot. Little did I know when I went to see the film this past Christmas I would actually enjoy it. The movie starts out almost promising enough- with a Fat Albert cartoon. Only it's animated with current technology, and has the obligatory CG in it, since all cartoons these days need CG. Fat Albert and the Junk Yard Kids are playing a game of Buck Buck with the rival kids. Cut to the main character- Doris, a girl in highschool who isn't invited to a party. And it's understandable with a name like that. She goes home and watches Fat Albert, still crying over not getting invited, and one of her tears hits the remote. Somehow, this sends the tear into the TV, where Fat Albert and the gang sees it. Albert sees Doris is upset, and...jumps out of the TV to help her out. The gang follows, and Doris is left wondering what the heck just happened. She says that she's sad because she can't find her backpack. They see it on the couch, and she thanks them and tries to get them to go back into the TV. But, the show's over, and they can't. Yes, they realize they're cartoon characters, which is actually a good touch on the writers' part. I'm sick of movies where they don't understand that they're not "real". But, she's stuck with them until the show's on again, which isn't until the next day at 2:30. They follow her around town, where they find out that she's sad because she doesn't have any friends. When they follow her to school, they make sure to say this in front of the whole class, and tell people to be her friend. This happens a few more times, and keeps embarrassing her. Fat Albert starts to get puppy love for Doris' foster sister (who is a lot like Shannon Elizabeth- she looks decent, but talks awkwardly and can't act). A guy who has a crush on her from school, played poorly by *sigh* Omarion, doesn't like this, and tries to one-up Albert from time to time, failing miserably. Along the way, not much happens, and I think we all know how much Albert will want to go home after getting Doris' sister to like him. Yes, the plot is predictable, but it's also pretty boring. Don't get me wrong, I tried to like this movie and accept the charm from the characters. But it just wasn't there. The only Junk Yard Kids that do anything are Mushmouth and Dumb Donald. I swear, Bill served no purpose aside from completing the gang. Old Weird Harold had his moments, but never did much else when they were over. Bucky was there to look creepy (he looks like Dave Chappelle fused with Beetlejuice from Howard Stern), and I honest to god don't remember Rudy doing anything important. Yeah, I know the title of the movie is Fat Albert, but why include the gang if you're not going to use them equally, if at all? And the "problems" Doris faces aren't anything big. We don't find out what her real problem is until later on, and I don't get how someone as good looking as Kyla Pratt could have self-esteem issues. Either way, it was a chore for me to sit through the whole movie. You know things are bad when you think it's almost over, then check the time to see that it's only 15 minutes into the movie. A lot of the acting was terrible as well. Kyla and Kenan were the only ones that gave any effort. Omarion was horrendous, giving weird facial expressions I haven't seen since this one koala ran head-first into a parked jeep on Animal Planet. But, while Kenan did look just like Fat Albert, his voice could've used work. Some scenes had him talking like Albert, others had him talking like Kenan. And what was with all the cameos? The umbrella guy who runs around with Andre 3000 was here, a certain ponk band's lead singer, Aaron Carter with his giraffe-neck, and a few others showed up for a few quick minutes. I'll give the movie one extra star for a great ending sequence. The final moments were touching and a nice tribute. It's not something to not show the kids or anything, but it was a nice bit of respect