“It’s the best comedy ever,” said one of the youngsters I interviewed after a screening of Doogal at our local multiplex. When asked why he enjoyed this animated movie so much, he replied, “Because it’s so funny.” Other children I talked with agreed, and one mom even admitted she didn’t mind sitting through the movie.

Doogal’s appeal to viewers under the age of twelve probably comes from its rather bizarre characters and the unusual adventure they undertake. The title character (voiced by Daniel Tay), a candy-loving dog with long silky hair, wants to rescue his best friend Florence (voiced by Kylie Minogue), who’s trapped inside a frozen merry-go-round. Who could do such a terrible thing? None other than Zeebad (voiced by Jon Stewart), an evil ice wizard determined to freeze the entire world.

With the help of good wizard Zebedee (voiced by Ian McKellen), Doogal and his friends -- a singing cow (voiced by Whoopi Goldberg), a love-sick snail (voiced by William H. Macy), and a sleepy bunny (Jimmy Fallon) -- set off on a magic train (Chevy Chase) to find the three diamonds that can ruin Zeebad’s plans and free Florence. In the process, they face such dangers as a boiling-hot lava lake, a flatulent moose (Kevin Smith), and Pirates of the Caribbean-like skeletons in a temple similar to the one made famous by Indiana Jones. As they work together, these characters discover that friendship is the one thing evil can’t destroy. At least that’s what narrator Judi Dench informs us.  

Frankly, despite what that very nice mom told me, I’m fairly certain you have to be a youngster to appreciate Doogal (after all, that is the movie’s target audience). Although I usually have no trouble unleashing my inner child while watching animated films, it didn’t work this time. I simply could not suspend disbelief, especially about Zeebad’s character. He’s a spring, for gosh sakes! How terrifying can a fugitive from a Jack-in-the-Box be? And Stewart (a favorite of mine from TV’s The Daily Show) fails to project any frightening tones in the villain’s voice. Darth Vader definitely has no competition from Zeebad.         

Based on a popular 1960’s British TV series for children, Doogal was released earlier in Britain as The Magic Roundabout. For some reason, most voices were changed in this U.S. version: Stewart replaces Tom Baker (Little Britain), Tay instead of Robbie Williams (De-Lovely), Goldberg for Joanna Lumley (Absolutely Fabulous), Fallon instead of Bill Nighy (Love Actually), Macy for Jim Broadbent (The Chronicles of Narnia) and Chase instead of Lee Evans (The Medallion). Voice talent is critical to the success of animated movies, and I suspect the British version of Doogal might be more appealing in this regard.               

While not nearly as entertaining as Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit or Hoodwinked, Doogal offers children a valuable lesson about the importance of friendship. However, some adults (if they’re like my husband) will probably view it strictly as an opportunity for a little nap.        

(Released by The Weinstein Company and rated “G” as suitable for all ages.)