Fans of the 2010 CGI-animated series based on the popular books by Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff featuring the titular elephant may appreciate this 1989 semi-musical animated film created by the famed Canadian cartoon studio Nelvana in association with French collaborators. Babar: The Movie flashes back to young Babar's (voiced by Gavin Magrath as a young prince, and Gordon Pinsent as an adult) coronation as King of Elephant Land, followed by his first crisis: the family of Babar's future queen, Celeste, are taken hostage by perennial series villain, the conquering rhino Rataxes. Working around his elephant government—a slow-moving, time-wasting bureaucracy—the young king rushes into the jungle on a bold rescue mission accompanied only by Celeste (Sarah Polley as a young princess, Elizabeth Hanna as an adult). A TV series about Babar also appeared in 1989, and this disc includes a bonus episode from the series. Serving up family-friendly entertainment laced with winsome songs, this is recommended. (C. Cassady)
Babar: The Movie
eOne, 80 min., G, DVD: $14.98 Volume 28, Issue 4
Babar: The Movie
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