All Grown Up!: Growing Up Changes Everything

Celebrating more than 10 years of Rugrats mania, Nickelodeon's most beloved baby gang grows up in this spin-off series that meets up with the characters in middle school. Although the core crowd hasn't changed much (though Tommy finally has hair!), this two-episode compilation exudes the same wacky charm and comic antics, with new plots and dialogue related to the older age group (i.e., parties and peer pressure, rather than diapers and breaking down the baby gate). In “Susie Sings the Blues,” songstress Susie's dreams of making the big time at Pouty Girl Records are crushed when she is swindled by a phony agent; snotty Angelica warbles her way into a talent show held at Chuckie's dad's coffee shop; and Tommy and Chuckie play perturbing pranks on Principal Pangborn--a former wrestler who's also known as “Slambang.” In “Coup DeVille," twins Phil and Lil are on the outs as Lil starts marching to the beat of a different drummer that doesn't include her brother (leading Dil to fill the void as Phil's new counterpart); and Chuckie dodges a P.E. test. Featuring an amped-up soundtrack, hip clothes, and cool lingo, this ‘tween-geared update of a Nick classic is highly recommended. Aud: P. (J. Williams)