THE LITTLE RASCALS
A film review by Ben Hoffman
Copyright 1994 Ben Hoffman
Way back in 1922, Hal Roach who had produced Laurel and Hardy and Harold Lloyd silent comedies, came up with a comedic look at the innocent adventures of children. There existed at the time shorts with child actors and with the movies designed for a young audience. Roach, on the other hand, aimed at both young and adults when he started his series (originally called Hal Roach's Rascals).
Roach employed unknowns in order to get spontaneity and naivete. Child actors such as Shirley Temple were not even considered ... and Mickey Rooney flunked his audition. From the beginning the series was a great success. The question before the House is: what about this 1994 version?
Director Penelope Spheeris had a great group of kids to work with, many of whom looked very much like the original "gang," right down through Petey, the dog with the black ring around one eye. The problem may be that this latest version is too cutesy. Little Darla, for example, who looks very much like the original, is made to act too adult. The action is for the kids in the audience while the gags are for their parents.
Despite the elements being there, the film is only mildly amusing. Although most of the new kids look very much like the originals, it may be that imitation has its limitations.
2 bytes 4 Bytes = Absolutely must see. 3 Bytes = Too good to be missed. 2 Bytes = So so. 1 Byte = Save your money.
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