Paul Bunyan and Babe: His Big Blue Oxen

Sorry to make such a fuss about this.

But I see a lot of movies, I review a lot of movies (and TV) but this is the first full-length animation with A-list voice actors ACTUALLY MEANT FOR KIDS that I have seen in many DECADES.

Somewhere in the 70s, I think, the animation studios arrived at the conclusion that, if you were going to spend all that money anyway, why not write in some references, jokes, and other references to pop culture that would give the adults a kick too...?

Once one studio tried that, of course, the race was on ... and every animation I have seen since seems to be trying to outdo the other with clever scripting and gags.

(My favorite throw-away line of dialog meant for adults, for example, is something one of characters in WRECK IT RALPH mutters while leaving a scene -- "The selfish man is like a mangy dog chasing a cautionary tale." It has nothing whatsoever to do with the story. But it is memorable!)

Anyway, back to the review, this film has none of that, no attempt whatsoever is made to appeal to adults, and that alone makes it noteworthy. Strange. But noteworthy.

Also, while all the voice acting is solid, Kelsey Grammar gives an astounding performance playing two different characters, one of which sounds almost nothing like him.

Rating:7

No surprises, pleasant, and possibly great fun .. if you're a kid anyway.