"I can't sign a contract that will help three ruthless villains take over the world. I just can't...My pen's out of ink."

Much maligned by the critics can upon its release for its, at times over the top humor, CGI animation and for straying too far from the premise of the original show, "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" is still surprisingly good entertainment. Containing certain elements of that not-necessarily-good-for-you-but-gosh-this-is-entertaining Saturday morning cartoon feeling, it's story harkens back to the days of a simpler and more innocent America, where if one worked hard and had a big heart, with the help of a few animated furry friends, the world will open it's doors to you. And after watching it, it is so fun and uplifting, you can't help but feel maybe it just might be right.

Based on the popular 1950's cartoon series "The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show," Rocky the clever Flying Squirrel and Bullwinkle the, at times, obtuse Moose are called upon, as usual, to save the world from those Eastern European nogoodniks Boris, Natasha and Fearless Leader. This time in an attempt to take over America and displace current US President Signoff (James Rebhorn), the three attempt to cross over into the Real World to create a TV station that will play "RBTV" (Really Bad TeleVision) and hypnotize the American public. Assisted in their quest by newly recruited FBI agent Karen Sympathy (a young Piper Perebo in one of her first major screen roles), the kind hearted duo of Moose and Squirrel dash across the US heartland in a cross-country race to New York to shutdown the station before it is too late.

Written by the magnificently funny screenwriter can of the "Analyze This" series, Kenneth Lonergan, it stars in Rene Russo, Jason Alexander and Robert DeNiro as refreshingly evil villains Natasha, Boris and Fearless Leader. As Rocky and Bullwinkle, it thankfully stars June Foray, reprising her role as Rocky, and the talented Keith Scott as Bullwinkle, who also does an admirable job taking over the parts played in the 1950's series by Bill Scott and Paul Frees. In supporting roles, the humorous Jeanane Garofalo appears as TV executive Minnie Mogul, Randy Quaid is perfect as FBI director Von Trapment, as is Whoppi Goldburg as Judge Cameo and John Goodman as the overly efficient Oklahoma police officer, who arrests Perebo and throws their plans into jeopardy.

Often drawing on references can and punny banter from the much-loved series, it includes appearances of Wottasmatta U., Frostbite Falls, Pottsylvania and of course, the familiar voice of the Narrator. With solid performances all around, any underdevelopment in plot becomes forgivable and the lighthearted and although at times predictable picture, comes across as comforting and succeeds on the whole as a family movie, containing plenty nostalgic elements to delight fans of the cute and heartwarming Rocky and Bullwinkle or the delectably evil Boris and Natasha alike.

Film Critic: Jennifer M Lillies