Recess: School's Out

This is a likeable cartoon feature for both parents and children because it moves along and holds your attention. Fortunately, no one bursts out singing, but the oldies background music is a plus. James Woods does a fine job as the voice of the baddie. NOTE : Have never seen the TV show so am judging the film on its own.

Theodore Detweiler Jr. Vincent Lasalle. Michael Blumberg. Gustav Patton Griswald. Gretchen Grundler. Ashley Funicello Spinelli. Peter Prickly. Seven heroes out to save Summer Vacation from a madman who really whomps! Recess. School's Out. If you like the cartoon series, you'll love the film. Funny, inventive, and dare I say it for Ashley fans, SCANDALOUS! Featuring the voices of Andrew Lawrence, Rickey Collins, Pam Seagal, Dabney Coleman and James Woods as his greatest Disney villain since Hercules kicked his Hades' fanny, Recess; School's Out immortalized the children of Third Street School to icons of movie magic. Robert Goulet gives a perfect performance as Mikey's singing voice. His "Green Tambourine" video was just awesome! Do yourselves a favor, Recess fans, get off your fat, saggin' butts and WATCH THIS FILM! It's Tenderrrrrrr!

Recess the TV show is about kids having fun, and teachers being teachers (good and bad). There's good character development and personality variation on the small screen and it carries well to the big screen.

The movie puts the kids in the role of spies who need to break INTO school to save their lifestyle. Along the way, there are great 60's flashback scenes and songs, lots of funny spy movie cliches including the mob-scene climax.

The characters are caricatures but it IS a cartoon after all. There's good voice casting (including James Wood, Melissa Joan Hart and a great sounding Robert Goulet). The plot is complicated (and just a little goofy), but my 8 and 10 year old had no trouble following the action.

There are good messages about friendship, respect, integrity, duty, but these aren't done in a preachy way.

The animation quality is variable. There are some great 3d zoom-sweeps, but for part of the movie the characters look like they've been singed. However, the few animation flaws are only an issue for nitpickers (like me).

See it with someone who knows that characters and likes them. It'll be a good rental or a nice afternoon in the theater.

Recess:School's Out is one of the biggest surprises I had recently while watching films, for I found it bright, colourful and very entertaining. Yes, it's a kids' movies, but adults will like some of the voice actors and the music. Sure, the story is a little forgettable, and there are some slow parts, but the feel-good nature of the film compensates. The animation is very good, and is moreover true to the style of animation in the TV series. The script is quite funny, my favourite line being "I have a fat saggy butt, which I like to scratch every hour on the hour". The voice cast breathe life to a likable host of characters, and are fantastic, the obvious standout being James Woods in a wonderful performance of Dr Benedict. The music is great, and Mike has a remarkably good singing voice. There are some very funny moments like anything to do with Randall and Ms Finster, and the fight at the end. All in all, engaging and entertaining, more reared at kids, but still likable for adults too. I honestly wasn't expecting it to be as good as it was. 8/10 Bethany Cox

This cartoon was enjoyed by the whole family. After watching the TV series, my children were amused to see each character involved in a mystery plot on the big screen. We had a lot of good laughs while watching a group of students save the day! Mom especially enjoyed the music and hopes that there will be a sound track available. It's great to see a good movie rated "G" that still entertains both the young and the older audiences. Thumbs up to Disney for some good, family entertainment.