Robin Hood: Men In Tights

Rating: PG-13

Movie Release Date: July 28, 1993

DVD Release Date: September 5, 2006

Plot 411: The famous tale of Robin of Loxley . . . with a twist.

Review: I'm always afraid to revisit films I've loved in my youth. You never know if the enjoyment is really warranted or simply the creation of youthful naivety. So you can imagine my trepidation when I started this film. It could be a hoot or it could be a damn shame. Luckily, after the initial scenes rolled out I was able to truly immerse myself in the movie and just enjoy it. It turned out to be just as funny as I remembered. What a relief! The movie stars Cary Elwes as Robin, who is just returning to England after fighting in the Crusades. He comes home to find his family's lands repossessed by King Richard's (Patrick Stewart) brother John (Richard Lewis). Robin is determined to get his homeland back and help the poor people of England at the same time. Along the way he creates his band of merry men, including Blinkin (Mark Blankfield), Ahchoo (Dave Chappelle), Little John (Eric Allan Kramer) and Will Scarlet (Matthew Porretta). The movie is a complete spoof on other Robin Hood flicks and is filled with tons of pop culture references. The same jokes I laughed at when I was 12 were still funny over 15 years later. I wonder if that means the movie's awesome or if my sense of humor hasn't evolved from a 12 year olds? The movie also stars Amy Yasbeck as Marian and Roger Rees as the Sheriff of Rottingham and has cameos by Tracey Ullman, Mel Brooks.

Watch It: For a '90s flashback and some comical song-and-dance numbers. Unforgettable really.

Skip It: Because it does come off dated and the gimmick of speaking to the camera gets old fast.

The Jungle Book

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: December 25, 1994

DVD Release Date: December 19, 2001

Plot 411: After a tiger attacks a camp, a boy is lost and raised by wolves.

Review: Jason Scott Lee stars as Mowgli, an Indian boy accompanying his father into the field where his father serves as a guide for the British military. When a tiger attacks the camp, Mowgli is separated from the men and is never seen again. Mowgli grows up among the animals of the jungle, which include a bear named Baloo, a jaguar named Bagheera and his faithful wolf named Grey Brother. As an adult, he encounters Kitty (Lena Headey), the daughter of the military colonel Mowgli's father was assisting. She doesn't recognize him at all and wishes to civilize him. He returns with her to the city where he learns to speak and read. However, Mowgli's two worlds collide and he must choose where he belongs. The first thing I noticed about this movie is how skinny Cary Elwes was. However, I guess I shouldn't have been since this movie was done only a year after Robin Hood: Men In Tights. Overall, this was a fine adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic book. I think it could become a Disney favorite in many households because there's a good deal of humor, animals and action involved. There are, of course, villians in the movie but they are killed off screen most of the time. Some of the special effects in this movie don't hold up at all (like the scene where Mowgli jumps off a cliff and into the pool at the bottom of a waterfall), but I still found it charming in its own way. Also in this movie are Cary Elwes, Sam Neill and John Cleese.

Watch It: For a live-action version of a classic tale.

Skip It: Because I actually prefer the animated version better.

The Princess Bride

Rating: PG

Movie Release Date: September 25, 1987

DVD Release Date: September 4, 2001

Plot 411: When a boy is sick, his grandfather visits him and tells him a fairy tale that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Review: Even after all these years, this movie still holds up really well. There are so many great things about this movie: the way it twists your classic fairy tale; the humorous one-liners; the memorable characters; sword fights and pirates; good guys vs. bad guys; Andre the Giant and the pacing of the story. When a young boy (Fred Savage) is ill and resting in bed, his grandfather (Peter Falk) comes to visit. He brings along a book that has helped pass the time for many a sick child in the past. The story is about a girl named Buttercup (Robin Wright Penn pre-Penn), who is being forced to marry Prince Humperdinck (Chris Sarandon). The evil Humperdinck has kidnapped her true love Wesley (Cary Elwes) and is torturing him in the pit of despair. The movie is about their separation and reunion. The movie is never tiresome and never predictable. Sometimes good is bad and bad is good. Mandy Patinkin does a good job portraying Inigo Montoya, a vengeful Spaniard in search of his father's killer. Andre the Giant is classic as Fezzik.

Watch It: If only for the funny one-liners and Billy Crystal as Miracle Max.

Skip It: If your version of a fairy tale involves singing and dancing. In that case, Enchanted is your best bet.