The Magic Roundabout (2005)

Directors:

Dave Borthwick
Jean Duval

Writers:

Serge Danot (characters)
Raolf Sanoussi (co-writer) ...

Release Date:

2 February 2005 (France)

Genre:

Animation | Adventure | Comedy | Family | Fantasy

Tagline:

Things Are About To Get Hairy.

Plot:

A group of friends embark on a dangerous journey in an effort to imprison their oppressor -- the evil wizard ZeeBad.

Plot Keywords:

Diamond | Sorcerer | Rabbit | Martial Arts | Revenge

Cast

Tom Baker	...	Zeebad (voice: English version)
Jim Broadbent	...	Brian (voice: English version)
Lee Evans	...	Train (voice: English version)
Joanna Lumley	...	Ermintrude (voice: English version)
Ian McKellen	...	Zebedee (voice: English version)
Kylie Minogue	...	Florence (voice)
Bill Nighy	...	Dylan (voice: English version)
Robbie Williams	...	Dougal (voice: English version)
Ray Winstone	...	Soldier Sam (voice: English version)
Daniella Loftus	...	Coral (voice: English version)
Ediz Mahmut	...	Basil (voice: English version)
Jimmy Hibbert	...	Additional Voices (voice: English version)
Michel Galabru	...	Zabadie (voice: French version)
Dany Boon	...	Ambroise (voice: French version)
Valérie Lemercier	...	Azalée (voice: French version)

Also Known As:

Pollux - Le manège enchanté (France)
Sprung! The Magic Roundabout (USA)
The Magic Roundabout (UK)

Runtime:

France:85 min

Country:

UK | France

Language:

English | French

Colour:

Colour

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Iceland:L | Portugal:M/4 | Ireland:G | Switzerland:7 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:7 (canton of Vaud) | UK:U | Singapore:G

Company:

Action Synthese

Trivia:

Most of the character's lines were re-dubbed by American actors for the American release under the title "Doogal" (2006).

Goofs:

Continuity: After Train transports everyone across the narrow bridge over the lava, he slouches down to the ground in relief. In the next shot he is standing straight, looking normal.

Quotes:

Dylan: So close, and yet so far out!

Movie Connections:

Featured in Re-Imagining the Magic (2005) (V)

Soundtrack:

Simply Wonderful

If you can push the original out of your mind, you'll love it.

On entering the cinema, I did have my doubts. I'd watched the original Magic Roundabout from a very young age, and one false step could have ruined both versions for good.

However, the filmmakers managed to make a perfect balance of "old" and "new" to bring out a whole new film, featuring characters that reminded me of the originals, but didn't try to take their places.

The storyline was fun, bearing in mind that it was aimed at young children, and included the token jokes (aimed at both children and adults), teary moments and interesting yet predictable twists. The graphics were excellent, and most of the older viewers were "Ahhh"ing throughout at the sight of the big, sweet eyes. Looking around, I could tell that the young 'uns were enjoying it too, and that's what really matters in a film like this.

Overall, a brilliant transition from a simple, sweet television show to an enormous, exciting movie.