Very very predictable, including the post credit scene !!!

the audience applauded

Thanks for the memories!

Excellent, Without a doubt!!

I admit, I did not like this movie first time, but when I saw it today for the first time in three years I was surprised. While bearing little resemblance to the 1960s show, which is just timeless, this is a decent and colourful contemporary tribute.There are flaws still with the film. The plot is very thin, and sometimes is made up of disconnected scenes. The script has some knowing lines but there are parts where the jokes only come across as average. Also it is a little too short so while the characters still maintain their simple charm, they weren't developed properly.That said there are a vast majority of things that compensate. For one thing, the visuals are absolutely striking and colourful. Then there is the brilliant soundtrack, that is sunny and really pleasant to the ears. But what made the movie was the film was the voice cast, with fun supporting turns from Jim Broadbent, Bill Nighy and Lee Evans(who I have found annoying in the past). Tom Baker is deliciously malevolent as ZeeBad and Ian McKellan is exceptional as always. But Robbie Williams's cheeky and charming performance as Doogal is the nicest surprise.All in all, has its failings but it is decent and colourful. It is a shame really it was bastardised by its god awful American counterpart Doogal, which is little more than lame pop culture references and redeemed only by the quality of its animation and the in general talented voice cast(but Jon Stewart was completely wrong for ZeeBad) though they did deserve much better. 7/10 for Magic Roundabout. Bethany Cox

Aside from the title and the names of the characters, this movie has nothing really in common with the charming TV series which I grew up with, and which my two boys (aged 5 and 3) love on video. The characters have all been "re-imagined" as is the current trend, and re-voiced, as one might expect in the absence of Eric Thompson.But why does the Magic Roundabout have to change so much? Dougal and the Blue Cat was still a "real" MR movie, complete with all the charm (and, it just so happens, the voice of my 2nd cousin, Fenella Fielding). It was as long as the new movie, but it still looked and felt like the real McCoy! The white abstract background of the "Magic Garden" is gone, replaced by pretty but not very original CGI which actually took away more than it added. I don't know why they had to introduce the Magic Village, which makes it obviously French - the old garden was no particular place except in the imagination. And as for the new use the Magic Roundabout is put to at the start of the movie, why oh why oh why? It was just a magic roundabout, why did it need to be anything else??? I think that Mr. Rusty must be turning in his grave (storage box/display case?) at the very thought of it.My greatest complaint is that the whole thing has lost the wonderful innocence of the original. Yes, it contained much political satire and social comment, but there was no need to refer to smutty or sexual innuendo. Why did Ermintrude's concert have to include a song with the lyric "girl, you really got me going..." which is obvious as to what it means. There are plenty of other rock songs they could have used.The best part of the movie was Tom Baker's characterisation of Zeebad, who is the best over-the-top villain of recent years. He has all the best lines, and his sense of irony is wonderful.I bought the special edition DVD (British, zone 2) and loved the extras, but I wouldn't have bought it at all if I'd seen the movie first. If I could have given a negative number of stars, I would have!

I was part of the 40% adult demographic that was was addicted to the Eric Thompson version, that went out on TV in the UK years ago, and I have a DVD of the Nigel Planer ones too. I was therefore looking forward to this for another fix, especially Tom Baker's Zeebad and Bill Nighy's Dylan. It is visually delightful, the main part of the story where the Zebadee rules over a wintry ice kingdom is even prettier than the summery scenes at the beginning and end! The characters are more animated and better able to sustain your attention for the length of a feature film though I was surprised initially at the changes, not having seen any trailers beforehand. The plot is fairly simple but they always were, and so beautifully depicted that I can't see it matters. The love interest is as unexpected as it is sweet! The dialogue is as funny as you would expect from previous versions and the characters are as we always knew them. I loved Dylan's sudden concern when it was pointed out that grass was under threat! I had forgotten how I had to get used to Nigel Planer's voice after being used to Eric Thompson's and this happened again. Once I had adjusted though it was delightful. The songs are nothing special and not as catchy or charming as the original tune but they fitted in just fine. I LOVED Ermintrude's opera singing! I had forgotten that attribute of her character! Probably one I will enjoy more on dark winter nights when I need cheering up, accompanied by a mug of hot chocolate, sugar almonds and marrons glacés rather than popcorn, much more than than in warm weather. A film you can happily watch with children too. Just keep die hards and cynics at bay!The DVD is excellent with a lot of extras and a an interactive two level quiz for youngsters when they have seen the film a few times and want a bit more involvement. All in all, I recommend this to children of all ages.

OK, I loved it, and yet I was (slightly) disappointed too. Tom Baker voicing the part of the villainous Zeebad was absolute genius. His crazed, maniacal lines were wonderful. And Dylan was brilliant too - Bill Nighy was just the right choice. But I missed Dougal's cynical, world-weary quips from the original Magic Roundabout. And Ermintrude was disappointing too.The animation is certainly very good, although again I missed the original 'cardboard cutout' feel of the garden backdrops. (It was very good, but just not like the original!) I'm glad they kept the train the same! The 70's soundtrack was very welcome. It's not entirely obvious what music would work well, but I think they got that right.Generally, the original show's short format is not an easy task to expand upon, and I think they did pretty well really.