I've come to the conclusion that Pixar is both the best and worst thing that happened to the world of animation. With their computer-generated creations, the folks at Pixar revolutionized the art of cartoon features, opening up the genre both visually and thematically. On the downside, it allowed legions of cut-rate imitators to pour through the floodgates, the latest example being Delgo. However, this movie is more a detriment to the fantasy genre than it is to animation, for it plunders its most overused elements and crams them together into one hopelessly cliched package.

In a faraway land, there reside two races of beings: the reptilian Lockni and the winged Nohrin. An uneasy peace was forged in the days following a terrible war, but that delicate alliance is in danger of being shattered to pieces. Sedessa (voiced by the late Anne Bancroft), former Nohrin royalty banished into exile, and turncoat soldier Raius (voice by Malcolm McDowell) are plotting to instigate a new conflict among the people and insert themselves in the obligatory roles of tyrannical rulers. Caught in the middle of all this treachery is Delgo (voice of Freddie Prinze Jr.), a boastful young Lockni with eyes for fetching Nohrin princess Kyla (Jennifer Love Hewitt). When Raius spirits away with Kyla as part of his diabolical plot, Delgo and his scaredy-cat friend Filo (voice of Chris Kattan) decide to save her and prevent war from breaking out once again.

By reading the above synopsis, you can probably predict every single step Delgo takes. Indeed, it's an unabashed member of the recently resurrected and swiftly done-to-death fantasy film, complete with ferocious creatures, swashbuckling action, and a Great Destiny in store for the hero. But instead of welcoming these elements like an old friend, Delgo makes them feel like that guy on a plane ride who won't shut up about his cats. I couldn't even appreciate the movie for what it does right, since I was too busy waiting for the whole thing to end. It amazes me that it took six screenwriters to write this, something I could've done with a copy of Labyrinth and a long weekend. What's even more bizarre is that Delgo was apparently a labor of love for its creators and made in a piecemeal production that lasted the better part of this decade. But for as much drive as the filmmakers used to get this picture off the ground, you'd think they would care more about clever storytelling. 

Still, if there's an ace up Delgo's sleeve, it's the animation. The characters may be a bit too herky-jerky, but when it comes to creating a vast, colorful environment for the principal players to run amok in, this film is spot on. The landscapes hint at the creators' ambitious intentions and the magical journey they could have taken viewers on instead of churning out yet another mundane adventure flick. I can only speak for myself, as I have no doubt children will be enthralled not only by the animation but also by the action sequences. At the same time, Delgo hopes to wrangle in as many adult moviegoers as possible with its rather expansive voice cast; it's too bad most of them get about three minutes total to say their lines. Prinze and Hewitt are harmless as the respective hero and damsel in distress, and Bancroft punches through her hammy dialogue with a great deal of class. Kattan's turn, however, makes one yearn for the soulful melody of nails on a chalkboard, and you're lucky if you can even pick up on who Burt Reynolds is supposed to be voicing.

Delgo ranks pretty close to the genre's lower tier. Unfortunately, it's one of those movies made to keep the kiddies preoccupied without leaving a lasting impression on them. .

MY RATING: ** (out of ****)

(Released by Freestyle Releasing and rated "PG" for sequences of fantasy action violence.)