January 7, 2008
Oh dear, oh dear. I'm afraid this is easily the worst of the Christmas bunch of Family Movies (though I haven't seen Alvin and the Chipmunks yet - that might be worse). A feeble plot, uninspired dialogue, and standard quite nice special effects cannot overcome the mountains of saccharine from which this frothy confection is constructed. Not even Dustin Hoffman (what on earth was he THINKING?) or exquisite Natalie Portman can save this from being unwatchable sentimental claptrap. Sorry but there it is. Very small children might enjoy this but adults are likely to find it slow torture.