Disney's domesticated hoedown won't save Michael Eisner's job but it will pack families into theaters and send them on their way whistling a happy tune. The future of animation at the studio is uncertain now that its distribution deal with Pixar has ended and they've shuttered the in-house animation division. Home on the Range may be the last of the hand-drawn cartoons to hit theaters, so its nice to report it has a comforting, traditional feel that makes you briefly forget there's such a thing as computer animation. And it's sassy enough not to feel dated.

Returning to yesteryear when it comes to subject matter and technique, they've recruited another good crop of actors to lend their voices.You can point to the casting of Steve Buscemi in a secondary role as a thief -- and drawing him to look like Steve Buscemi -- as evidence the moviemakers were groping for an edge.

What really livens up the frontier tale is the pun-filled script penned by directors John Sanford and Will Finn. It is absolutely suitable for kids but cleverly fiddles with Western stereotypes in a way that will tickle parents. The first of what you assume will be many udder jokes comes in minute two. Surprisingly, they don't dwell on mammary glands but instead weave in softly cheeky put-downs like calling pigs "cocktail wieners." Flatulence is only resorted to once, when multiple outbursts would have been excusable since we're dealing with farm animals. 

While no single character stands out, the bovine banter delivered by Roseanne Barr, Judi Dench, and Jennifer Tilly is a hoot. Roseanne's Maggie is a big boisterous extrovert. Dame Judi's Mrs. Caloway is a bossy boots extraordinaire with a penchant for frilly hats. Tilly's Grace is a new age kinda gal who espouses holism and being at one with the environment.

In order to save their idyllic ranch -- a spread called Patch of Heaven -- from bank foreclosure, the three spunky dairy cows urgently need to raise seven hundred dollars. They head out to the county fair and then onto the trail of a yodeling cattle wrestler (Randy Quaid) causing severe economic hardship by depleting herd after herd. Corralling the wily fellow and his minions proves difficult since he's able to hypnotize cattle with his yodeling. But these girls will not be pacified. With a voice ideally suited to cartoons, Cuba Gooding Jr. is Buck, a horse that fancies himself a kung fu steed of the first order. After pairing up with a bounty hunter, a dead ringer for Clint Eastwood, Buck lends timely support.

For all its traditionalism, Home on the Range introduces strong female characters into the typically macho milieu of westerns and cartoons.  As Maggie explains to a jackrabbit proffering a meal: "We don't eat meat. It’s kind of a professional courtesy." Non-ideological vegetarianism is a good metaphor for the movie. Though heifers rule, their practical, feminist sensibility doesn't preclude tame cartoon violence for action-seeking youngsters.

The music is certainly of a non-threatening variety. Bonnie Raitt, Tim McGraw, and k.d. lang provide pleasant country ballads to accompany the action. While not perfect, Home on the Range is an enjoyably hammy flick aimed directly at the heartland. They hit a bull's-eye. Walt Disney would be proud. 

(Released by Walt Disney Pictures and rated "PG" for mild rude crude humor.)