The Magic Roundabout
2005
Legend tells of three magic diamonds that, if in the wrong hands, can be united to create a force powerful enough to freeze the sun. When the evil sorcerer Zeebad (Jon Stewart) escapes from his ancient prison, he vows to exact revenge by deep-freezing the earth forever. Determined to save the world, a fellowship of four .. Read more
| Starring | Robbie Williams, Kylie Minogue, Joanna Lumley, Bill Nighy |
|---|---|
| Director | Dave Borthwick, Jean-Phillipe Duval, Frank Pas |
| Genres | Animated, Audio Descriptive, Children, Family |
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Critics' reviews (6)
View all -
The much-loved children's TV classic is re-imagined for 21st-century youngsters in this attractive computer-animated adventure. Using the original characters as a springboard, the film broadens and updates their escapades to satisfy contemporary tastes. The result is a colourful tribute to the eccentric 1960s show, in which Dougal the dog inadvertently releases imprisoned sorcerer Zeebad (voiced by Tom Baker). Free after centuries, the malevolent Zeebad aims to cast the world into darkness, beginning by encasing the roundabout in ice and trapping little girl Florence (Kylie Minogue). It's up to Dougal and his pals to save the day. Though this is a feature for the very young, there's enough to keep grown-up nostalgia fans happy. The dialogue and comic scenarios still have their knowing undertones, while the slightly beefed-up characters retain their simple charm. Despite a thin plot, the story skips along nicely, bolstered by a sunny pop soundtrack and spot-on voice casting. Bill Nighy's hippy rabbit Dylan is particularly fun, but it's Robbie Williams's cheeky turn as Dougal that's the most pleasant surprise.
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Slickly animated movie for very small children that had its origins in a series of funny five minutes on TV, written and narrated by Eic Thompson, who, ignoring the original French narrative, wrote his own whimsical stories. None of that gentle humour sur
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The film industrys trend for plundering the TV archives continues here with the release of a CGI-animated... read more on Time Out
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Most helpful members' reviews (3)
View all -
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Enough to keep the parents awake.
I was dreading taking my daughter to see this, I was praying that sleep would over take me and I’d not have to suffer. But it wasn’t that bad. Good solid kids film, lots of fun and a great cast of voices. I don’t like Robbie Williams but he was actually (This sticks in my thought) good in this! The Animation is slick and looks great.
There are some silly over the top drug references from Dylan to try and keep the students happy that did make me cringe but all in all a cracking kids film with just about enough to keep the parents awake.
Watchable 4 out of 7. -
9 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Sorry, but I may be missing the point, Isn't this a kids film ???!!!??
Yep, the plot lines a bit thin, but then again it is aimed at children aged about 3 years old etc.
With that in mind, my son Carter sat down and watched it twice and loved every moment of it.
Nope I didn't think it was deep and meaningful, Nope it wasn't a schindler's list deeply thought provoking and meaningful.
IT WAS A GOOD HOENEST TO GOODNESS KIDS FILM
Lets try to bear this in mind when booking it !! -
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
4 stars for this?
I gave this 4 stars without even watching it.
My 5 & 4 year olds watched this 4 times back to back, which was lovely for us after 4 weeks of them shouting and running around driving us nuts -
Most recent members' reviews (2)
View all -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
'zeb's dead baby, zeb's dead...'
Much better than expected. Not quite as good as likes of shrek, toy story etc. but not NEARLY as bad as some of the rather unfair reviews here. Kids loved it too. Great cast of familiar names doing all the voices. Visually stunning graphics, and some good retro music throwm in for good measure.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A few chuckles for the young & older
As someone else has said, not as bad as some people are making out. Perhaps it was because I had such low expectations when it started. The real stars are Bill Nighy as Dylan and Jim Broadbent as Brian, and perhaps Tom Baker as Zebad. Robbie Williams is OK as Dougal but his high pitched northern accent grated on me after a while, and Kylie only had a dozen or so lines so she doesn't really feature.
There were a few characters missing, but overall it made us adults chuckle more than expected, adn I like the usual film references that have become the norm (Pulp Fiction being my favorite).
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10 out of 11 people found this review helpful
Enough to keep the parents awake.
I was dreading taking my daughter to see this, I was praying that sleep would over take me and I’d not have to suffer. But it wasn’t that bad. Good solid kids film, lots of fun and a great cast of voices. I don’t like Robbie Williams but he was actually (This sticks in my thought) good in this! The Animation is slick and looks great.
There are some silly over the top drug references from Dylan to try and keep the students happy that did make me cringe but all in all a cracking kids film with just about enough to keep the parents awake.
Watchable 4 out of 7. -
9 out of 13 people found this review helpful
Sorry, but I may be missing the point, Isn't this a kids film ???!!!??
Yep, the plot lines a bit thin, but then again it is aimed at children aged about 3 years old etc.
With that in mind, my son Carter sat down and watched it twice and loved every moment of it.
Nope I didn't think it was deep and meaningful, Nope it wasn't a schindler's list deeply thought provoking and meaningful.
IT WAS A GOOD HOENEST TO GOODNESS KIDS FILM
Lets try to bear this in mind when booking it !! -
7 out of 8 people found this review helpful
4 stars for this?
I gave this 4 stars without even watching it.
My 5 & 4 year olds watched this 4 times back to back, which was lovely for us after 4 weeks of them shouting and running around driving us nuts -
5 out of 5 people found this review helpful
No Blue Cat though
I have to say, I thought that this was going to be awful without the wonderful voice of Eric Thompson (Emma’s Dad).
Was hugely surprised that Robbie Williams did a fantastic Dougal (& I really can't stand him as a singer) and all the other voice talents were great too (Tom Bakers' Zeebad is ACE).
The animation, whilst not ‘Shrek’, is nice and generally keeps the feel of the old puppet show (Dougal moves just the same as he always did as does the train).
All in all, I really enjoyed this film - and my 7 year old boy did too - so what more can I say.
No Blue Cat in it though....... -
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful
Brilliant children occupier!!!!
I didnt actually get chance to see the film but it kept my kids occupied for hours - the only part of the film I previewed was the music score ...FANTASTIC...I found myself dancing away while doing the house work!!! For the songs and the fact my children watched it over and over and gave me some peace, I gladly give it a 5 star rating.
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3 out of 3 people found this review helpful
A few chuckles for the young & older
As someone else has said, not as bad as some people are making out. Perhaps it was because I had such low expectations when it started. The real stars are Bill Nighy as Dylan and Jim Broadbent as Brian, and perhaps Tom Baker as Zebad. Robbie Williams is OK as Dougal but his high pitched northern accent grated on me after a while, and Kylie only had a dozen or so lines so she doesn't really feature.
There were a few characters missing, but overall it made us adults chuckle more than expected, adn I like the usual film references that have become the norm (Pulp Fiction being my favorite). -
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
'zeb's dead baby, zeb's dead...'
Much better than expected. Not quite as good as likes of shrek, toy story etc. but not NEARLY as bad as some of the rather unfair reviews here. Kids loved it too. Great cast of familiar names doing all the voices. Visually stunning graphics, and some good retro music throwm in for good measure.
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
EXCELLENT
A spellbinding wonder - great for kids or adults, my wife and I really enjoyed this film - well made and jogs along nicly - a real wonder! Especially after having just watched Alexander - Urgh - dont bother!
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
ONE FOR THE CHILDREN !
OH MY GOD, DID I HATE THIS MOVIE ! But my little girl and her friends loved it & watched it over and over again. I have had to buy the film, the toys, the books, basically just anything even remotely related to the film. So if you have kids, GET THIS MOVIE they'll love it, but if at all possible try to find a way not to be in the room when they watch it !
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2 out of 2 people found this review helpful
Oh bless
Perfect casting and a strangely compelling storyline made me (38 years old) quite like this. Conjuring up an evil Zeebad who wants to cover the world with Ice, we have Dougal, Brian, Ermintrude, Dylan and a train trying to find the whereabouts of some magic crystals.
Robbie Williams and Ray Winstone share the best voice awards, with Tom Baker camping it up as Zeebad and Ian McKellan playing Zeebedee as Gandalf. Nice one
Critics' reviews (6)
-
The much-loved children's TV classic is re-imagined for 21st-century youngsters in this attractive computer-animated adventure. Using the original characters as a springboard, the film broadens and updates their escapades to satisfy contemporary tastes. The result is a colourful tribute to the eccentric 1960s show, in which Dougal the dog inadvertently releases imprisoned sorcerer Zeebad (voiced by Tom Baker). Free after centuries, the malevolent Zeebad aims to cast the world into darkness, beginning by encasing the roundabout in ice and trapping little girl Florence (Kylie Minogue). It's up to Dougal and his pals to save the day. Though this is a feature for the very young, there's enough to keep grown-up nostalgia fans happy. The dialogue and comic scenarios still have their knowing undertones, while the slightly beefed-up characters retain their simple charm. Despite a thin plot, the story skips along nicely, bolstered by a sunny pop soundtrack and spot-on voice casting. Bill Nighy's hippy rabbit Dylan is particularly fun, but it's Robbie Williams's cheeky turn as Dougal that's the most pleasant surprise.
-
Slickly animated movie for very small children that had its origins in a series of funny five minutes on TV, written and narrated by Eic Thompson, who, ignoring the original French narrative, wrote his own whimsical stories. None of that gentle humour sur
-
The film industrys trend for plundering the TV archives continues here with the release of a CGI-animated... read more on Time Out
-
A must see movie
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Rollicking fun!
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A top treat
Buy from the LOVEFiLM shop
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- The Magic Roundabout
- DVD: £5.43
Free Delivery - RRP £15.79 (you save: 66%)
Legend tells of three magic diamonds that, if in the wrong hands, can be united to create a force powerful enough to freeze the sun. When the evil sorcerer Zeebad (Jon Stewart) escapes from his ... -
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