The Magic Roundabout (2005)

Directors:

Dave Borthwick
Jean Duval

Writers:

Serge Danot (characters)
Raolf Sanoussi (co-writer) ...

Release Date:

2 February 2005 (France)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Things Are About To Get Hairy.

Plot:

A group of friends embark on a dangerous journey in an effort to imprison their oppressor -- the evil wizard ZeeBad.

Plot Keywords:

Diamond | Sorcerer | Rabbit | Martial Arts | Revenge

Cast

Tom Baker	...	Zeebad (voice: English version)
Jim Broadbent	...	Brian (voice: English version)
Lee Evans	...	Train (voice: English version)
Joanna Lumley	...	Ermintrude (voice: English version)
Ian McKellen	...	Zebedee (voice: English version)
Kylie Minogue	...	Florence (voice)
Bill Nighy	...	Dylan (voice: English version)
Robbie Williams	...	Dougal (voice: English version)
Ray Winstone	...	Soldier Sam (voice: English version)
Daniella Loftus	...	Coral (voice: English version)
Ediz Mahmut	...	Basil (voice: English version)
Jimmy Hibbert	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Michel Galabru	...	Zabadie (voice: French version)
Dany Boon	...	Ambroise (voice: French version)
Valérie Lemercier	...	Azalée (voice: French version)

Also Known As:

Pollux - Le manège enchanté (France)
Sprung! The Magic Roundabout (USA)
The Magic Roundabout (UK)

Runtime:

France:85 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English | French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Portugal:M/4 | Ireland:G | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | Singapore:G

Company:

Action Synthese

Trivia:

Most of the character's lines were re-dubbed by American actors for the American release under the title "Doogal" (2006).

Goofs:

Continuity: After Train transports everyone across the narrow bridge over the lava, he slouches down to the ground in relief. In the next shot he is standing straight, looking normal.

Quotes:

Train: [scared of jungle sounds] What's this? I'll go in a tunnel. I'm a train, I like tunnels.

Movie Connections:

Featured in The Magic of Music (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Lean Mean Machine

What really makes it so enjoyable are the lovable characters

'The Magic Roundabout' is a cute and fun family-flick. What really makes it so enjoyable are the lovable characters brilliantly 'played' by the voice artists that include numerous British talents (such as Bill Nighy, Sir Ian Mckellan, Ray Winstone and Joanna Lumley) and Australian beauty Kylie Minogue (what a beautiful voice!). Robbie Williams as Dougal is a little too whiny at times. The various vivacious characters include a gentle-snail, a shaggy dog, a singing cow, a guitarist rabbit, a small train and a half-spring character who are all on a quest in search of three diamonds to rescue the land from freezing over. The plot may not be seen as anything new and the CGI may not be of Pixar animation quality but that didn't hinder my liking for the film. I found it to be very adventurous and there were several funny and endearing moments. I also liked the creative use of different colours and the soundtrack is brilliant. My memory of the classic (from which the film was inspired) remains very blur. Hence, I cannot comment on how true it stayed to the original but as a film itself, it's good family entertainment.