The Little Rascals (1994) (PG)
Madcap, mischievous Our Gang remake.
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Seen the movie?
Movie details
- Studio: Universal Studios
- Directed By: Penelope Spheeris
- Cast: Brittany Ashton Holmes, Bug Hall, Travis Tedford
- Running Time: 83 minutes
- Release Date: 09/18/1994
- Video/DVD Release Date: 01/20/2004
- Genre: Family and Kids
- MPAA Rating: PG
- MPAA Explanation: some rude dialogue.
Parents need to know
Parents need to know that this remake of the 1930s classic espouses some of the same prejudices as the original, relying on some "girls are gross" and anti-gay humor. The good news here is that the cast is integrated and it's less racist than the original. But there are things that would scare younger children, including thunder and a large Doberman that jumps on Alfalfa, knocking him over. The clubhouse catches fire and the kids put it out by themselves. Alfalfa drinks dish soap and bubbles come out when he sings -- parents may want to warn kids that this prank won't work as advertised.
Families can talk about whether the things they see in the movie can really happen. Can you put out a fire with water balloons? Can you really burp and fart bubbles if you drink dish soap? What should you do if you get into a dangerous situation like the Our Gang group does?
Families can talk about whether the things they see in the movie can really happen. Can you put out a fire with water balloons? Can you really burp and fart bubbles if you drink dish soap? What should you do if you get into a dangerous situation like the Our Gang group does?
Message
Social Behavior:
Darla and her friends are very sexualized; everything is about love instead of being regular little girls. The gang is very girl-hating at the beginning of the film. There's also some gay-baiting jokes, including a segment where Spanky, dressed up as a girl in order to hide from Woim and Butch, flirts with the bullies. When he's revealed, the guys chase after him, calling him an "ugly little freak." When he goes into a Boys Club for protection, he's rejected.
Consumerism:
Characters mention Cracker Jacks and brands like Campbells Soup and Etch-A-Sketch are visible.
Drugs/Alcohol/Tobacco:
Violence
Butch and Woim threaten to beat up Alfalfa and Spanky. A large and scary dog jumps on Alfalfa. In a dream sequence, Alfalfa falls off a cliff and onto the rocks below. In a go-cart race, the kids drive through a grocery store parking lot and knock people over. Alfalfa punches Woim in the face, knocking him into mud.
Sex
Alfalfa and Darla kiss three times. Alfalfa runs around in his underwear and once it's implied that he's totally naked in front of Darla and Waldo. A.J. kisses Spanky on the cheeks. Several girls and boys kiss.
Language
Common Sense says
What's the story?
Reviewed by Heather Boerner
It may be 1994 Los Angeles, but Our Gang hasn't changed: Spanky (Travis Tedford) is calling together the gang for an emergency meeting of the He-Man Womun Haters Club to talk about the upcoming go-cart race. But their star driver, Alfalfa (Bug Hall), is breaking the club’s first rule: "to be a he-man and hate women ... " He's wooing Darla (Brittany Ashton Holmes) with his warbling songs. In trying to break the pair up, the gang accidentally sets the clubhouse on fire; then, local bullies Butch (Sam Saletta) and Woim (Blake Jeremy Collins) steal their prize-winning go-cart. To top it off, a new kid moves to town: Waldo (Blake McIver Ewing), a rich jerk who wears a suit and tie and has Donald Trump as a father (really).
Is it any good?
Our Gang was a classic -- a slapstick retelling of adult dating woes through the outlandish eyes of adult-ified kids. THE LITTLE RASCALS (1994) recaptures that essence with mostly positive results. There are some great Our Gang moments here, with many scenes resurrecting those hilarious physical comedy gags of the original series. Alfalfa sings "The Barber of Seville" while bubbles come out of his mouth, an homage to the original Little Rascals TV series. And the film retains the fast-forward chase scenes and images that lovers of the original will remember fondly.
There are also some great cameos: Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, Whoopi Goldberg, Reba McEntire, Mel Brooks, Raven Symone, and Lea Thompson.
But children today may be confused by the references and some of the behavior. Everyone knows children don't say things like "effrontery" and "Darla, you have the sophistication of a woman of 12" -- and they probably never did. But the kids in The Little Rascals did in the 1930s and continue to in the remake.
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Posted on 04/23/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12
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Posted on 04/23/08 by Anonymous Kid contributor, age 12
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