Rescue Heroes: The Movie

Based on an animated series that is based on a bestselling toy line, the first Rescue Heroes movie rarely feels like much more than a colorful, fast-moving commercial. Still, with the nearly constant messages about the importance of teamwork and perseverance (it's strongly implied that when people don't go along with the team, casualties are imminent), young viewers are in relatively good hands with Billy Blazes, Jack Hammer, Wendy Waters, and the rest of the elite rescue team. In this adventure (somewhat generously described as CGI-animated), the Rescue Heroes team must circumnavigate the globe (from Canada to Nigeria to North Dakota) to fight off the massive electrical storms caused by the eruption of a volcano in Ecuador. Without any evil super-villains to fight, the heroes must battle their own insecurities, particularly Rocky, who learns that his spirited individuality can be dangerous to the rest of the team. Not particularly witty or subtle, and carrying a near-Marine mentality (“leave no man behind” could be the tagline), this movie may prove an arduous slog for older viewers, but the pace could hardly be swifter for the young target audience. DVD extras include two episodes of the animated series. Optional. Aud: P. (D. Fienberg)