Home On The Range
(2004)
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The American West is brought to the screen in vivid purple and blue animation in Disney's barnyard adventure HOME ON THE RANGE. With geometric patches representing a vast expanse of farmland, and landscapes ranging from rocky desert to lush green pastures, this classic cartoon--no Pixar influence here--is visually pleasing in its simplicity. The lively personalities of Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, and Jennifer Tilly bring raucous fun to the three bovine heroines: Maggie (Barr)--a big brash prize-winning cow, Mrs. Caloway (Dench)--a refined and ladylike cow who won't be seen without her purple bonnet, and Grace (Tilly)--a New Age cow who swears by peaceful, holistic solutions. These girls are determined to save their farm from the greedy land baron Alameda Slim (Randy Quaid) and they set off on a trek as self-appointed bounty hunters to win the $750 prize for Slim's capture. Along the way they lock horns with the sheriff's horse Buck (Cuba Gooding, Jr.) who, in the end, helps them save the day. Catchy music by Bonnie Raitt and K.D. Lang adds to the fun-filled adventure of HOME ON THE RANGE, a movie that is sure to please family members of all ages. |
Disney has made some of the greatest animated features of all time, however this latest musical comedy certainly isn't among them. With computer-generated cartoons continuing to steal the studio's thunder, it seems like financial suicide to offer today's demanding youngsters a retro-style, hand-drawn, action-light tale — especially one that could have been told in a quarter of the time. Despite the impressive voice talent (including Randy Quaid, Judi Dench, Jennifer Tilly and Steve Buscemi), the Wild West-set story of a trio of cows who try to save their farm from repossession is too weak and uninspiring to really charm. While the animals are sufficiently cute to look at, they need more depth and definition, particularly given the flimsy plotline and crudely rendered landscapes. The film has its occasional moments, including a psychedelic-styled yodelling sequence, but ultimately this is a pedestrian affair.
Halliwell's Film Guide
Pleasant spoof of Westerns in an animated movie that is closer in style to old Warner Brothers' cartoons than the usual Disney approach.
