The E.B. White classic about a young pig who fears the frying pan and a spider who spins promotional billboards to save him was first adapted to the screen in 1973, as a bad Hanna-Barbera animation with such sterling voice talents as Agnes Moorehead, Henry Gibson, Pamelyn Ferdin, and Paul Lynde as Templeton the rat. This passable live-action feature from Christian mogul Philip Anschutz (
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) also relies heavily on the voices, though the actors are sometimes miscast (Julia Roberts as the spider) or chosen more for their on-screen personas than their pipes (Steve Buscemi as the rat). Gary Winick (
13 Going On 30) directed; among the barnyard animals are Robert Redford, John Cleese, Oprah Winfrey, and Cedric the Entertainer. G, 97 min.
By
J.R. Jones
Reviews/comments (0)