Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius

A brainy, bobble-headed child savant accidentally contacts aliens, who then come to Earth and kidnap all the grown-ups in this Oscar-nominated, spirited CGI kiddie creation, which is absolutely popping with personality and prodigious production design. It's up to the kids to rescue their folks, and the energetically eccentric, socially shunned Jimmy becomes their de facto leader when he helps the other children fashion an armada of silly spaceships out of rides at a newly opened amusement park. The comparative lack of creativity in the storyline and shopworn secondary characters stop writer/director John Davis's Jimmy Neutron short of becoming an instant classic like last year's other computer-animated kiddie flicks, Shrek and Monsters, Inc. But even if it isn't timeless, it is a complete and effervescent delight for kids of all ages. Recommended. [Note: DVD extras include a 15-minute "making of," two music videos from pop artists Aaron Carter ("Leave it up to Me") and No Secrets (with a remake of Kim Wilde's '80's hit "Kids in America"), 12 promotional spots, and the option for seven DVD-ROM games. Bottom line: A so-so extras package for a nifty little film.] (R. Blackwelder)