Doogal Reviews

The Magic Roundabout, that beloved, often trippy '60s stop-motion animated children's TV show that became a cult favorite in the U.K., gets a 21st-century CGI makeover in this surprisingly successful feature-film update. Candy-craving pup Doogal (voice of Daniel Tay) gets into a heap of trouble when he accidentally smashes his go-cart into the magic carousel that serves as the hub of the picturesque enchanted village he and his owner, Florence (Kylie Minogue), call home. The accident frees the wicked wizard Zeebad (Jon Stewart) — a sardonic blue meanie who bounces along on a spring like a Jack gone AWOL from his box — from his prison within the merry-go-round and traps Florence and two friends within the now-frozen ride. The good wizard Zebedee (Ian McKellen), Zeebad's ruddy-faced twin, tells Doogal he must now find three charmed diamonds that, once returned to the carousel where they belong, will not only free Florence and her friends but thwart Zeebad's dastardly plan to use this magic bling to usher in a second ice age by freezing the sun. Together with his good friends Ermintrude (Whoopi Goldberg), a singing cow who dreams of one day becoming a star; Brian (William H. Macy), an amorous snail who's in love with Ermintrude, and Dylan (Jimmy Fallon), a sleepy, guitar-playing rabbit who sounds like he's been partying with Shaggy, hop aboard the magic train (Chevy Chase) and head north to save Florence and the world. Originally produced in France by the characters' creator, Serge Danot, and airing on British television throughout the 1960s in 5-minute episodes right before the early evening news, The Magic Roundabout has been interpreted as everything from a sly, drug-culture lark (Doogal did love his sugar cubes) to a political satire. Whatever the case, the original English scripts certainly were peppered with sly, topical asides aimed squarely at adults. Paul Bassett Davies' updated screenplay attempts to follow suit, but what passes for topical these days is pretty much limited to industry inside jokes and constant allusions to other movies. Thankfully, the animation itself is thoroughly inspired — the remarkable verisimilitude of Doogal's flowing fur stands as a high-water mark in computer-generated imagery — though why anyone thought it necessary to replace the original English voice cast, which included the likes of Jim Broadbent, Joanna Lumley, Ray Winstone and Robbie Williams, is a complete mystery.