Time-traveling to the future, a young inventor hopes to find his birth mother and the family he never knew in Meet the Robinsons, a sci-fi animated adventure that will probably delight most youngsters with its colorful characters and intriguing creatures. However, because of the movie’s frenetic pace, I had some difficulty with the all the twists and turns in the story. Still, I usually react in a similar way to “even a child can do it” directions -- and end up trying to find a little one who will help me out. So, of course, I should have taken a child or two along with me to Meet the Robinsons. Duh!

Anyway, our off-beat hero Lewis (voiced by Daniel Hansen and Jordan Frey) is a pre-teen orphan who loves gadgets and is responsible for some pretty disastrous inventions. On the day of an important science fair, he meets a fast-talking, mysterious stranger named Wilbur (voiced by Wesley Singerman) who takes him into the future to meet the Robinsons, a very unusual family. For example, Mrs. Robinson (voiced by Nicole Sullivan) has discovered how to teach frogs to sing and play in big bands; Grandpa Robinson (voiced by director Stephen Anderson) wears his clothes inside-out; Grandma Robinson (voiced by Laurie Metcalf) loves to disco dance; Uncle Gaston (voiced by Don Hall) likes to shoot himself out of a cannon; and the Robinsons’ butler is a one-eyed purple octopus. Even though with Lewis for only one day, the quirky Robinsons help him discover secrets about his own potential.

First-time director Stephen Anderson, who previously worked on two of my favorite animated films, Brother Bear and The Emperor’s New Groove, in Disney’s story department, says he was drawn to this movie because the Robinsons may be adults, but “they live life with all the zest, fervor and uninhibited playfulness of children.” The Robinsons clearly believe that if you have a dream, it’s something you should just go for. During the short time Lewis spends with these incredible people, he learns to celebrate failure because it helps you move forward and "to be happy for all the things you can do, instead of getting stuck on the things that didn’t work in the past.”

During his trip to the future, Lewis also comes in contact with the intelligence-challenged -- but Extremely Evil -- Bowler Hat Guy (also voiced by Anderson). How bad is this guy? Sabotaging Lewis’ most important invention proves he’s very mean indeed. Boo! Hiss!  But maybe Lewis will be able to change all that.

With so much going for Meet the Robinsons, I wish its frenzied presentation had been toned down a bit. Anyone who’s prone to migraine headaches may have a problem watching this one.    

Based on A Day with Wilbur Robinson, William Joyce’s illustrated children’s book, Meet the Robinsons fills the screen with whimsical characters, fascinating contraptions, and -- unfortunately -- too much zippy action. It’s like Back to the Future on speed. Although the film’s uplifting message about believing in yourself and a promising future is a good one, it’s not enough to earn this digitally animated movie a “must-see” recommendation from me.      

(Released by Walt Disney Pictures and rated “G” as suitable for all ages.)