Bebe's Kids (1992) User Reviews

Spike Lee meets Disney

[Quinoa1984 · 7/10 · 15 April 2001]

This is the first animated feature aimed at black audiences, and it actually works pretty well. The film is based loosely on a bit by comic Robin Harris (who can be seen in his routine in the beginning credits) where he looks back on a day where he goes on a date with a woman, and tagging along are her son and three brats that are her friend's kids. They go to a amusement park, and then the fun starts (coincidentally, the park is called Funworld). Filled with good humor, bright animation, and the intro (for me anyway) of the mama insults (ie- Your momma's so dumb, she heard it was chili outside, she went and got a bowl). Featuring Faizon Love as the voice of Robin Harris (Harris died before the movie was to be made) and Tone Loc as Pee-Wee. A-

an antidote to Disney

[mjneu59 · 6/10 · 6 November 2010]

Because so many children's animated films are actually only thinly disguised morality lessons and/or merchandising gimmicks, it's refreshing to find an acerbic, often tasteless cartoon feature willing to promote a little healthy skepticism instead. The basic premise, suggested by what had been a familiar routine by the late stand-up comedian Robin Harris, might resemble typical Saturday morning TV fodder: the gruff but (almost) lovable Harris (a kindred spirit to W.C. Fields) is conned into chaperoning a trio of pint-sized troublemakers to Fun World, a local amusement park. But underneath the rap soundtrack padding and heartfelt, homeopathic preaching about the virtues of self-esteem is a good deal of subversive, post-Rodney King cynicism. Fun World itself is analogous to White America in the 1990s, complete with secret police, remote surveillance, and a robot Richard Nixon (sounding not unlike Jimmy Stewart). The film was originally planned as a live-action comedy, but it probably works better as animation, where the cartoon exaggeration can be an advantage. Favorite character: little Baby Pee-Wee, with a voice "like a hundred packs of cigarettes" and a constant cloud of flies around his sagging diaper.

"We don't die, We Multiply !"

[adrianeverett74 · 5/10 · 28 September 2008]

Robin meets Jamika and her son and her friend's rowdy hell bent for leather children, Bebe's Kids ! A visit to a fun park turns into pandemonium and then a last minute trip to Vegas turns out the lights on the strip. Everywhere Bebe's Kids go they use their war cry like a flag "We don't die, We Multiply !"

This movie is based on a short comedy skit by late great comedian Robin Harris. Originally there were four Bebe's kids but for the movie there are three. It was funny for it's time and is one of Paramount's most under marketed animated movies of all time. Even today on DVD it is discontinued as Paramount Execs really don't know how to cater to African American Movie Watchers.

If you want to find a near mint condition copy on either VHS or DVD for cheap try Ebay or your local Video Outlet's Previously Viewed Shelf.

The Kids That About Drove Everyone Crazy.

[tfrizzell · 1 November 2003]

African-American comedian Robin Harris had a comedy routine about crazed youngsters only known as "Bebe's Kids". In spite of his death his idea developed into this ho-hum animated feature. Harris (in cartoon form and voiced by another actor) meets a beautiful woman at a mutual friend's funeral. Immediately they start to click, but trouble looms when the woman is supposed to watch a friend's children (the titled characters). Thus the group goes to a theme park and all hell breaks loose as the youngsters seem to be little more than hoods that unwittingly try to control everything everywhere they go. Starts out pretty well, but wears out its welcome as it progresses. The novelty disappears pretty quick and we are left with a silly and tiring cartoon. 2.5 out of 5 stars.

Classic urban animation!!

[Always_green86 · 7/10 · 7 December 2019]

Grew up watching this movie..I wish it gets a remake with real characters one day..the film is funny from beginning to end with a good story line.

Should have not been made

[duckbandit · 1/10 · 29 May 2006]

This movie should have ended as soon as the joke about Bebe's Kids is told in the opening. I liked Robin Harris and most of his comedy but the really funny routines were not meant to be something the whole family could go see. Liken it to taking the point of one of Jerry Seinfeld's jokes and attempting to squeeze the joke for as long as you can in order to turn it into a movie. This movie had to be self-serving because I can not find anyone who found the settings or antics familiar. Whats most funny about this movie is the gumption of the writers and producers to pass it off as something of value. 1/10 stars because there is no half star.

Much Better Than I Expected

[boblipton · 7/10 · 30 April 2023]

Robin Harris is captivated by the beautiful Jamilka, and her son seems pleasant enough. But when he he invites them to the local amusement park, they bring along the three hellions of Jamilka's absent friend Bebe.

It's based on one of Harris' monologues -- he's shown giving it at the beginning -- and plans were made to do a live-action version. Then Harris died, and what was to be done? Cancel? Recast? Neither. Instead, they did the body of the story as a cartoon, with Faizon Love doing a good imitation of Harris, and Vanessa Bell Calloway voicing Jamilka.

I was not looking forward to this movie, because it violates one of my prime rules about animation: never do animated what you can do live. I needn't have worried; under the direction of Bruce Smith, characters and action are exaggerated cartoonishly, offering some real comedy and ending on a serious note that is well set up. The artwork is also good; it's not elaborately designed, but it is fully animated. There may have been no cartoon wabbits, but this is a fine feature-length cartoon.

This is the worst movie I have ever seen!!!

[bmitchell3000 · 1/10 · 24 April 2005]

My brother was working at a movie theater when I saw this movie; I saw it for free and still walked out. I have seen a lot of movies in my time but this was the worst. When people ask me what the worst movie I have ever seen was I mention this movie in less than one second. This movie is bad because it goes from one lame plot set-up to the next, it encourages stereotypes about blacks that are sickening and the flow is awful. If you want to see how to make children cry and vomit at the same time then study this movie. Okay, this movie is not good "bad" but terrible bad. If you are like one of those people that watch horrible movies for fun, like me, you will not even be able to make it through this very short film. Please for the love of God destroy all copies of this movie.

Another fond memory of my childhood...

[crazypoohbear69_050 · 8/10 · 12 July 2005]

As a child I loved this movie and couldn't stop watching. My friends and I made this movie part of our weekend routine. So I decided to watch it recently to see if it was as funny as I thought it was. It turned out it was even better. Now that I am older I can enjoy the more mature jokes rather than just the hilarious antics the kids get themselves into. I am curious though about all the African-American stereotypes in this film others have commented on. It certainly can't be the kids as all races have their "bad apples". I actually think it defies some myths about African-Americans. Such as the stereotype that black men don't care about kids. Here we see a black man not only taking care of children, but other people's children. This movie even depicts the real problem of racial profiling (The security officers paying close attention on one of the Bebe children just because of how he dresses. Even though he is only a child.) All in all I believe this movie and the experience along with it some of my best childhood memories.

Bébé's Kids

[DogePelis2015 · 6/10 · 27 August 2021]

It is a very interesting and bizarre movie; the plot is decent, the animation is good, and the soundtrack is passable; has some funny moments; it is one of the lesser known films of Hyperion Animation.

This movie is just plain AWFUL

[kill-the-boxtrolls · 1/10 · 11 May 2011]

BEBE'S KIDS is one of the worst animated films I've ever seen.

OK, let's go with the plot: The movie starts out in a funeral. Robin and his sweetheart date to go to a place called "Fun World" (spoof of Disneyland). Using Bebe's Kids (the title of the movie), these children wanna go cause mischief in the theme park and intentionally break the rules on purpose. They steal merchandise from a store and they even destroy the park by roaming around a pirate ship (spoof of Peter Pan) killing people. Robin decides to then take these bad-ass kids home.

Now the plot, I'm sure it is something referred to popular shows like Rugrats, Bratz, South Park etc., but I also heard it's a Simpson-like, Boondocks (2005) cartoon. These shows were absolutely successful, but Bebe's Kids is on the list of the most nostalgic cartoons to ever hit television.

The plot didn't go as great as I expected and I mean, the flow had flaws too.

The animation, much like The Proud Family I'm sorry to admit it's sloppy and unoriginal. The animation is SO horrible it's like a four-year-old made it and it blinded my godforsaken eyes!!! The music is like a two-year-old written it. It's so darn bad it hurts the ears!!! This script was busted and the visuals were terrible. Please avoid this... if you want to watch something about children breaking the rules, wreaking havoc, causing mischief etc. I recommend: RUGRATS, SIMSPONS, SOUTH PARK, THE BOONDOCKS, MONSTERS, INC.

Sorry, I can't exaggerate this film, you will have to look at my list: Mischievous Children. Some of the cartoons in there are SO much better than BEBE'S KIDS and they also have bad-ass children too.

A personal experience turned into a goofy movie (:

[Mcninjakiitty · 8/10 · 30 April 2013]

I found it hilarious , but I have an open mind . You need one of course, you can't watch this movie expecting it to be more than it really is. Which is a comedian explaining how his date with this girl went. What's there not to talk about it was down right funny !!! :D I'm sure if all of you had a chance to illustrate your worst date that had a couple of laughs , you would. It's not meant do to anything else but tell you the story of robin Harris' date , and what a disaster it turned out to be. But in the end , kids are kids. No matter how rambunctious they are , we were all kids and did or at least wanted to do the same destruction. ' cuz were Bebe's Kids !! We don't die ! We multiply !!

You know, Paramount hasn't come THAT far since the old "Popeye" cartoons.

[Victor Field · 5/10 · 24 December 2002]

"Bebe's Kids" demonstrates how hard it really is to make an animated feature; I don't just mean in terms of drawing, etc, but in terms of concept. The Hudlin brothers had originally planned to do a live-action movie about the comedian Robin Harris's characters of Bebe's kids, but after his death they decided to go the animated route - but from the finished result you wonder why they even bothered.

Robin meets the lovely Jamika (at a funeral!) and makes a date with her and her son for the weekend, but finds the deal involves bringing along her friend's children - Bebe herself never appears - and the three kids are a lot rougher than Jamika's kid. In addition to having to go with them all to the extortionately-priced amusement park where most of the movie takes place, Robin also has to cope with his ex-wife and her friend (who's convinced that they'll get back together), and it must be said that the parts of the movie involving him are much better than when it involves the title characters.

Not only are Bebe's kids (in addition to lacking any personality) much less sympathetic and much less funny than Robin, but they have to shoulder the blame for the movie self-destructing when they break into a secret underground section of the park; cue battles against robots and messages delivered with all the subtlety of a Mack truck. The movie wants to appeal to both adults and children, but never comes off as anything - you can tell the Hudlins weren't too experienced with animation, and they've stayed away from it since then. Thank heaven.

Black men's life animation style

[IrockGswift · 11 March 2003]

This cartoon is the best African-American cartoon movie since Fat Albert. It gives a view of how black men deal with single-women with children. A man having to take responsibility of looking after kids that weren't his,and knowing that the kids are the total package with the mother. A excellent movie and a summary of some African-American life in the ghetto.

Just because it works in standup doesn't mean it works as a movie.

[IonicBreezeMachine · 4/10 · 18 April 2021]

To impress his new girlfriend Jamika (Vanessa Bell Calloway), a man, Robin Harris (Faizon Love), agrees to take her and her son to Fun World. But on the agreed day is horrified to find out the trip will include looking after her friend Bebe's kids, only to find that they are uncontrollably rambunctious.

Released in 1992, the film directed by Bruce W. Smith and written by Reginald Hudlin was based on the stand up routine of late comedian Robin Harris who died two years before the movie was released. The standup routine basically follows the same general idea as the film of Harris being roped into looking after misbehaving kids belonging to his girlfriend's friend with superficial details changed for copyright reasons. The movie is sporadically funny, but it's pretty evident that the material is too thin to justify a feature length film.

In terms of plot, imagine if you took 40% of Boomerang, 60% of Home Alone and structured it within the climax of the first National Lampoon's Vacation movie and that's basically what we have. The movie follows a loose narrative device of Robin being depressed and telling his story to a bartender about the Havoc Bebe's Kids unleashed upon the amusement park intermittently cut between scenes of Robin and Jamika with occasional misunderstandings as per third act fallout rules. Once we get to the amusement park there's really not much that can be done with it, so the movie basically manufactures bizarre setpieces such as Bebe's Kids being put on trial by park Animatronics, a team of park security personnel who look and act like the Secret Service for no real reason, and a number of song sequences that don't really stand out all that much.

The movie's loose structure is compounded with the creative choice to pace and frame the movie like a 90s music video. It's an obnoxious movie that revels in being loud and grating and it's clear it has no real direction to go other than leading Bebe's Kids from cutting one swath of destruction to another. And to add insult to injury the trio of violent, foul mouthed, misbehaving brats are made out to be sympathetic in the final five minutes of the movie for valid enough reasons in terms of social commentary I suppose, but if the kids live in such neglected squaller then why is Jamika even friends with Bebe?

Bebe's Kids is not a good movie. It's a meandering, directionless mess built upon material far too thin and focusing on characters too unlikable or uninteresting. The animation has a certain level of style to it and there were occasional moments I got minor laughs or brief chuckles but it really should have stayed as a standup routine.

Conceptually Rebellious yet Lacking in Execution

[elicopperman · 5/10 · 22 February 2020]

Ever wondered what would happen if a movie was based on a comedian's stand up skit? Well, back in the early 90s, filmmaker Reginald Hudlin and animator Bruce W. Smith decided to take a crack at one, based on a bit called "Bebe's Kids" from the late comedian Robin Harris (he passed away two years before the film came out). Known as the first animated feature with a predominately African-American cast (besides Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin), it wasn't received too well on its original release but it did gain a notable cult following for how attitude driven it was for its time. Although, that "attitude" may have resulted in a mixed bag of a flick.

The basic storyline follows Robin Harris meeting a single mom named Jamika and choosing to take her, the son and three other kids from the mom's friend Bebe to an amusement park called Fun World, and chaos ensues from there. That actually almost sums up the entirety of the movie honestly, as most of the film doesn't really have a cohesive plot outside of the kids running around causing trouble and Robin trying to watch control while being the best companion he can be. Therefore, the overall narrative pads along in a desperate attempt to find any sense of conflict or tension, but anything that does come up feels more like check marked plot points than a well constructed story, like enemies getting in the way and whatever mayhem the kids cause. Also, the film handles themes of responsibility, justice for all and poverty come off as too forced for their own good, as if we're being told to sympathize with the characters instead of letting the natural emotions seep through naturally. Maybe they should have developed the kid's background more than having them run around the park like lunatics.

In terms of humor, while the film goes for a sly and raunchy style with slick one liners and jabs on society, it also tries to hit too many targets in its approach instead of having one big focus. It doesn't help that some of these attempts at wit include rap songs that are either charming yet superfluous to the narrative or just unnecessary filler. The only big exception would be the Freedom Song, since it does happen when the kids are in a very tight situation and it helps represent a commentary on the injustice of minorities. Character wise, besides Robin, Jamika, the kids and Leon, everyone else are either side obstacles like Robin's ex-wife Dorothea and the park security, or just used for quips and side duties like Robin's friends and other children at Fun World. Robin himself would seem like a charming albeit short tempered role model for the kids, but the way the movie flip flops tones makes it feel like he never really cares for them too much. If anything, the kids are more like symbols of trouble and juvenility than actual interesting figures to be looked out over.

Now given that the film had a much smaller budget and production schedule than most animated movies at the time, the animation itself is enjoyable to watch albeit with some notable limitations,. These include general character animation, limited background movements and a much tamer approach at slapstick than even most Warner Bros. cartoons. Not that the animation is bad, in fact it does make use of subtlety bright colors and the dynamic character designs of director Bruce Smith, it's just that it lacks a special punch that would make it really come to full life on the screen. That being said, if there's anyone who seemed to have the most fun on this movie, it would have to be the voice cast. Faizon Love is delightfully hammy and smooth as Robin, Vanessa Bell Calloway fits the concerned albeit caring mother role for Jamika, and all the child actors must have a blast being themselves as the little troublemaking youth. It's also a nice added touch to have rapper Tone Loc give a deep gravely voice to the baby Pee-Wee, adding more hysterics to the already wacky children.

Despite its good intentions and how ruthless it was to be itself, Bebe's Kids is a mediocre attempt at a standup film adaptation with a cluttered story, hit or miss characters and lively yet unspectacular animation. That being said, it does remain as a fascinating product of its time, mainly for how culturally relevant it was in depicting the lives of African Americans in the medium of animation. We still don't have as much of those as we could, but just knowing that the Hudlins and Bruce Smith showed no compromises in bringing this earnest project to life is way more humble than anyone can give the feature credit for.

A man takes the girl of his dreams to an amusement park with 4 hooligan children.

[[e-mail] · 10/10 · 16 August 2002]

Bebe's Kids is undoubtedly the absolute best movie of ALL TIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The movie starts out at a funeral when a man named Robin meets the girl of his dreams, a woman named Jamika, Robin offers her a date and she accepts under one condition she takes her son with her. The next day when Robin comes to pick her and her son Leon up she has three more kids with her that belong to Jamika's friend BeBe. These three extra kids set out to reek havoc on Jamika and Robin's date

Robin Harris's best comedic creation wasn't made for the big screen

[view_and_review · 3/10 · 25 August 2018]

"Bébé's Kids" was a favorite insult of ours back in the early 90's. Yes, we would say that regarding any kids we saw acting bad. It was probably Robin Harris's best comedic creation. So good in fact it got him this movie even if it was posthumously.

I may have liked the term "Bébé's Kids" but I wasn't about to spend money to see an animated movie about the concept. That turned out to be a wise decision. This movie was awful.

"Bébé's Kids" is one of those movies that can't stand the test of time. I mean, back in 1992 I may have halfway liked it when the material was fresh and relevant. Here in 2018 when all of the jokes in the movie are old and tired and the rapping is just as weak; the movie is just a total dud.

I give Faizon Love a lot of credit for playing the voice of Robin Harris, he did an excellent job but Harris was never that funny to me. His slow, somewhat slurred, raspy delivery didn't appeal to me. He looked as though he were perpetually high with his sleepy yellow eyes but he would always have a line or two that was good such as, "test tube baby" and "Bébé's Kids". Well, they were both used in this movie along with some "Yo' mama" jokes. Back then who knew that "yo' mama" jokes wouldn't stand the test of time? We came up with so many that I guess we left no room for more to be created.

"Bébé's Kids" the term and the movie went the way of the "Yo' mama" jokes. Both were a passing fad that had died out before the decade's end. I wanted to watch this movie just to see what I may have missed from that bygone era and it turns out I didn't miss anything at all. The classic line--we could even say credo--of Bébé's Kids' was, "We don't die, we multiply." It looks like even they couldn't escape death.

Ha Ha I have the VHS!

[coreymattheson · 10/10 · 6 September 2008]

I live in the UK and I have the original 1993 CIC Video release! It's one of the most hard to find VHS in this country! Its even a rare timer coded preview copy with a small timer at the top of the screen! That makes it even more rare! And you know where I got it? From Doncaster Market for £1! It has all the original VHS trailers on it for other movies like "Sneakers" and "Wuthering Heights"! Plus, Its an ex-rental copy, too! And I'm never gonna sell it, either! The only way you'r gonna get it is to go on Amazon.co.UK and buy it for £22.95! Ha! I also have Cabin Boy and Indian Summer (1993) on UK VHS too! Take that! The movie was good, too.

It's not all that

[mitsubishizero · 5/10 · 23 September 2020]

This should come as no surprise but this wasn't a good movie. The animation and story are fine but the jokes are super hit or miss. The kids aside from one are pretty obnoxious and while it's based off a comedy skit Robin Harris taught, you can only make them do bad things for so long as well as let them be one dimensional characters.

It's not a movie I'd recommend. Skip it for sure.

loved it

[renaldo and clara · 14 September 2000]

I saw this when I was about 13. I saw it again on Friday and had the time of my life studying the colors and humor created by the images. You'll laugh at what the characters say and do, and how they sound (especially Tone Loc as baby Pee-wee), but the funniest thing, really, is how over-the-top the action scenes are. It's also, surprisingly, a nice romance.

I wish I could warn the entire world about renting this *instead* of any "Problem Child" film; but hey, can't stop 'em all.

-Sep

This movie ROCKS!!! This is the best cartoon movie about mischievous kids terrorizng Funworld amusement park.

[belle1982 · 10/10 · 18 February 1999]

"Bebe's Kids" rocks!!! I like the line when the kids say "WE DON'T DIE! WE MULTIPLY!" The comedian Robin Harris died before this movie came out, he was a great comedian! "Bebe's Kids" was supposed to be made as a live-action film which he was supposed to star in it. There are dozen parts I like in that cartoon when the four baddies create trouble in a souvenir shop, the kids gather bunch of kids from the part My favorite was they created a pirate ship and have the other kids' parents to jump out of the deck,THAT WAS COOL! My favorite character was PeeWee,the deep-voiced baby whose diaper has never been changed. This movie is half musical also. I would recommend this movie if you want to see out-of-control kids terrorizing adults and want to have fun, "Bebe's Kids" is the movie! If Robin Harris was still alive,he would like this movie.

Still funny

[HypnoticPoison7 · 10/10 · 21 April 2024]

This movie deserves so much more love! It's one of the best animated films, and certainly the funniest. I've been watching it since I was a little girl and it got me through some hard times. It was one of the first movies to introduce me to black humor and say what you will about stereotypes, but this was written and directed by black folk who knew how to get laughs. I felt like one of Bebe's kids myself growing up in Detroit and this is extremely nostalgic. It was on TV all of the time in the 90's, so I don't know how there aren't more reviews. They basically turned the Disney formula on it's head. Even their songs are better than most Disney songs. If you haven't seen it yet, it's still worth a watch.

**** out of ****

[clay-8 · 2 December 1998]

Bebe's kids is truly an imaginatively funny film. It made me laugh while having surprisingly interesting and funny characters. The movie didn't try to win our attention, it just won it on its own. Very fun film. I especially love the jive-talking in the women's restroom. I almost died laughing.