Elmo in "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland."

MOVIE INFORMATION

With 10 as a must-see, Jack gives this film an: Stars: Mandy Patinkin and Vanessa Williams Director: Gary Halvorson Rated: G Length: 77 minutes

ROCHESTERCRITIQUE

Having seen this film, how would you rate it? 10 5 9 4 8 3 7 2 6 1

By Jack Garner
Democrat and Chronicle

(Oct. 1, 1999) -- I can think of no better beginning for a first-time filmgoer than The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.

Amazingly, Elmo is the first Sesame Street movie -- and the show that introduced so many youngsters to television so marvelously does the same for the movies.

Elmo explores an issue of great concern for nearly every toddler: keeping a tight hold on the beloved blanket, the thing that's nearest and dearest to them in all the world. (Having once endured a cross-country drive with one of my daughters after she left her "bankee" in an Idaho motel room, I can also identify with this.)

The sweet, red-haired furball is shocked when his blue blanket accidently falls into Oscar the Grouch's garbage can. Elmo's adventure starts when he dives in after the blanket.

The magical can takes Elmo into an underground fantasy world, littered with trash and populated with many more furry grouches, assorted other mini-monsters and creatures, and at least two humans:

• The flamboyant, bushy-eyebrowed Huxley (Mandy Patinkin), who wants to grab hold of anything and everything. The quintessential greedy person who will never share, he grabs the blanket and isn't going to let it go without a fight.

• The lovely Queen of Trash (Vanessa Williams), whose giant pile of garbage stands in Elmo's path as he follows Huxley and the blanket.

Elmo cleverly engages its young viewers through several audience-participation segments. Like the audiences at the original stage production of Peter Pan, Elmo viewers even get to save the hero through their actions.

Sesame Street watchers from earlier times -- or older folks who watched their children watch Sesame Street -- will enjoy the reunion with old friends, including my personal favorite, the restaurant waiter and super-hero Grover.

Elmo is directed with wit and verve by Gary Halvorson, working with a combined staff of writers, puppeteers and technicians from both the Children's Television Workshop and Jim Henson Pictures.

And you don't have to be 3 years old to appreciate the fine work they've done here.