Mr. Toad's Wild Ride

Rating:
Summary: Fasten your seabelts for 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride'!
Review: 'Mr. Toad's Wild Ride' is definitely one of the most charming children's movies that I've ever seen. Based loosely on the classic 'Wind in the Willows' by Kenneth Grahame, the film is set in the English countryside and follows the adventures (and misadventures) of Mr. Toad (Terry Jones of Monty Python!), Ratty (Eric Idle of the same), Mole(Steve Coogan), and Badger(Nicol Williamson) as they battle with the evil, greedy weasels over the rights to Toad Hall. The special effects are minimal but very well done, and the quaint period costumes and animal make-up creates the perfect woodland atmosphere. The songs are short but cute; you'll find yourself humming the tunes before you know it. All in all, children will find the characters delightful and funny, while the darker images of the dangers of industrialization and progress will keep the attention of adults. I'd say my rating is four and a half stars, as opposed to just four. 'Mr. Toad's Wils Ride' is a definite must to any video collection!

Rating:
Summary: Very, Very, Very good
Review: (...) I have been a fan of (Terry Jones) ever since I started watching the Python sketches at age 8. I have enjoyed all his films so far, and this one is certainly no exception. It is based on the now-infamous book "The Wind in the Willows" by Kenneth Graham. It's live action, not animated, for those of you who wondered, and, while parts of it are somewhat childish (I never did like disney musicals much myself) the acting is good, the plot is good. Then, it being Terry Jones we're talking about, how could it not be?

Rating:
Summary: The perfect family film!!
Review: After seeing this movie twice in the theatre, I was so pleased to recieve the video for Christmas. The plot centers around the efforts of a pathetic Mole, an enthusiatic Rat, and a dignified Badger to get a foppish Toad out of the traps set by a band of conniving weasels, feeding on his appetite for motors. The supporting cast, especially the Lawyer, the Judge, and the jailer's Daughter, are wonderful also. The costumes are beautiful, as are the sweeping views of the English countryside. Though the movie was released by Disney, it was not made by them; it was made in England and originally called "The Wind in the Willows." However, it bears some resemblance to the 1949 Disney cartoon and now-closed Magic Kingdom attraction. Bring it home today!!

Rating:
Summary: Monty Python meets Zooblie Zoo
Review: As I watched the movie, I had this feeling that I was watching Zooblie Zoo and Monty Python at the same time. The costumes were pretty bad, for example, Terry Jones was just painted green basically in his portrayal of Toad, and I kept thinking of his Python sketch, "croonchy frogs" whenever he appeared to do something really goofy, (like dance.) The acting and special effects in it were great, however, and the movie kept pretty much to the original story line. When it was changed, it was done in such a way that it didn't hamper the plot.With it's semi-distracting over use of Monty Python characters, so-so songs, and poor costuming, I'd strongly suggest renting before buying.

Rating:
Summary: Thank heaven for Mr. Jones
Review: I am not afraid to admit that I am an avid python fan. Been watching the stuff since... well, for more than just a few years, let's put it that way. Several years might be closer to the truth, though my parents would call that an understatement. I happened upon this film at a Monty Python fan site. As one of my goals happens to be to watch every Python-related film I can get my hands on, I went to the local hastings and rented it. I liked it. A lot. It was somewhat childish, but was not without its python influences (There is this one scene in which Mr. Toad is being led to jail and there are 2 guards punching each other in the background. If that's not Pythonesque, then I don't know what is). The songs were delightful, most of them anyway. I thought that altogether the whole thing was really creative. There are a few "violent" parts, such as fighting, and something having to do with a dog food factory that reminds me very much of Wallace & Gromit, but nothing that will lead your child to, say, becoming a Gang banger, or anything outrageous like that.

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful movie for all ages
Review: I don't know why the person below didn't like it. I'm 16, the age where I hate EVERYTHING that is childish, and I still loved this movie. It's a welcome change from the big studios who churn out crap in order to sell the songs to other singers like Celine Dion. If you look down upon children's things, and think that anything fun for children is below you, then you wouldn't like this film. For the rest of you, go out and rent this movie now! ESPECIALLY if you are a fan of Monty Python.

Rating:
Summary: My favourite film in the world
Review: I love this film because it is funny it has alot of the monty python stars in it and also that the actors are amazing. The first time that I ever saw this film was when I borrowed it off a friend and ever since that I had fallen in love wwith it.

Rating:
Summary: Grab It While You Can!
Review: I was totally unprepared for how much I liked this movie. It is an interesting hybrid of Kenneth Grahame and Monty Python which probably works against it for a lot of people who expect one or the other and that is really too bad because the film has so much to offer. Although released by Disney (they own the film rights for the book in America thanks to their 1949 animated film ADVENTURES OF MR TOAD), the film was not made by them which accounts for the lackluster treatment it was given in this country. It went directly to video, was retitled in the process (it was originally THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS like the book), and has already been withdrawn from circulation. So much for it's rather sad history. The good news is that there are still plenty of copies to be had and at very good prices too but probably not for long so grab it while you can. While director-writer-star Terry Jones does take several liberties with the book, he remains true to the spirit of Grahame's work and that is the important thing. The performances from Jones, Eric Idle, Nicol Williamson, and especially Steve Coogan in the principal parts are truly extraordinary. Antony Sher as the Chief Weasel is an absolute delight and the cameos by former Python members and well known British television performers only add to the fun. The production design is stunning from the quirky costumes to the underground homes of Badger and Mole and the period motor cars that Toad dispatches are a wonder to behold. The BRAZIL like subplot concerning the dog food factory has bothered some people but it is in keeping with Grahame's views on rural destruction and urban blight and it also happens to be highly effective. The brief musical numbers scattered throughout the film add a touch of the surreal with The Weasel's Song (a wickedly funny parody of CATS) as delightful as it is unexpected. MR TOAD'S WILD RIDE is not a great movie but it is a highly creative one. It leaves you with a surprising number of sequences that will have you returning to it without really knowing why. Shame on Disney for treating it so shabbily. Let's hope that they will release it on DVD as that is the least that it deserves. An ideal movie for adults and children, it is as Mr Toad would say, "Glorious, simply glorious!"

Rating:
Summary: More for the children (grades prek-2) ...
Review: Many people enjoy this movie, but ... it's not at all as great as people say. The story has a very juvenile theme and if you have young children I would recommend this movie to you (even though it's rated PG), but ... don't sit in front of it too long though. Your children outgrow Mr. Toad's Wild Ride; we are now on to Prince of Egypt.

Rating:
Summary: Absolutely fantastic!
Review: My grandson and I first watched this 5 yrs. ago then happened upon its being shown on BBC while in London this year and remembered how much we had enjoyed it. I have just ordered it as Christmas presents for my other grandchildren. The 2nd viewing was just as funny! We were glued to the TV before we went out to sightsee! It's wonderful!