BlazeLime Strong and Moving!

Afouotos Although it has its amusing moments, in eneral the plot does not convince.

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Jenni Devyn Worth seeing just to witness how winsome it is.

Andy B I adored the original TV series, first broadcast in October 1965 and adapted by Eric Thompson (father of Emma) from a French series animated by one Serge Danot into something delightfully English and daffy. The original show was a work of genius - in my humble opinion - thoroughly groundbreaking children's entertainment, which inspired many future series. The film was not the same. It lacked the charm, gentility and wit of the 1960s show. But then times change and I think I should not have gone to see the new big screen Magic Roundabout: youngsters in the audience seemed to be thoroughly enjoying it. New generation, new Dougal...

TheLittleSongbird I admit, I did not like this movie first time, but when I saw it today for the first time in three years I was surprised. While bearing little resemblance to the 1960s show, which is just timeless, this is a decent and colourful contemporary tribute.There are flaws still with the film. The plot is very thin, and sometimes is made up of disconnected scenes. The script has some knowing lines but there are parts where the jokes only come across as average. Also it is a little too short so while the characters still maintain their simple charm, they weren't developed properly.That said there are a vast majority of things that compensate. For one thing, the visuals are absolutely striking and colourful. Then there is the brilliant soundtrack, that is sunny and really pleasant to the ears. But what made the movie was the film was the voice cast, with fun supporting turns from Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Lee Evans(who I have found annoying in the past). Tom Baker is deliciously malevolent as ZeeBad and Ian McKellan is exceptional as always. But Robbie Williams's cheeky and charming performance as Doogal is the nicest surprise.All in all, has its failings but it is decent and colourful. It is a shame really it was bastardised by its god awful American counterpart Doogal, which is little more than lame pop culture references and redeemed only by the quality of its animation and the in general talented voice cast(but Jon Stewart was completely wrong for ZeeBad) though they did deserve much better. 7/10 for Magic Roundabout. Bethany Cox

Chrysanthepop '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.

carolyn-montgomery1 I am old enough to remember the series and I thought that the film may be better... but it wasn't :-( I know it's meant for kids but even so, these days you expect a good laugh don't you? The first 30-40 mins were really bad..boring..awful! It did pick up though after that. Robbie Williams should stick to singing, and I wasn't overly impressed by Joanna Lumley either. The plot was weak and the script was quite bland. In it's favour though, I can say... thank goodness for the rabbit - Dylan - who was utterly fantastic!! Probably worth a watch just to see Dylan I reckon! My 4 year old seemed to like, although she found it a little scary here and there...ah bless :-)