Brum: Crazy Chair Chase (NR, 2004)

It's Brum to the rescue again in seven more live-action episodes about the little car that cares and its adventures in Big Town. Brum bursts through a brick wall to pursue a pair of safe thieves, catches a stolen necklace on his hood ornament -- and even jumps on the tracks of a carnival train to stop an out-of-control hairdresser's chair. These installments follow the same formula as other Brum episodes: The acting is melodramatic; there are plenty of sight gags, including a hair-raising dynamite explosions, paint splatterings, and pastry-in-the-face; and Brum, whether facing off against bad guys or just trying to rescue an escaped mouse, chases around trying to make things right.

BRUM: CRAZY CHAIR CHASE is pretty cheesy, so be prepared for goofy costumes and melodramatic acting -- and lots and lots and lots of chase scenes. But there are some imaginative moments, such as Brum diving underwater to rescue a sinking safe, or circling a pole in pursuit of a pair of bad guys (both cars magically changing directions in the process). And adult viewers will likely find a scene showing gnome-obsessed Mr. Brillo admiring a gnome-Mona Lisa at the Big Town museum pretty amusing.

For Brum novices, this is as fine an entry point as any, since it's so similar to other adventures -- and Brum fans will be pleased to see their favorite yellow car in action, honking, flapping his doors, and driving at high speeds. They will see some other familiar characters as well, such as offbeat Granny Slippers. Note: a bench-sleeping homeless man also makes another appearance, still seeming somewhat inappropriate for younger viewers. Overall, this is fair fare, but nothing really to sound the horn about.

Studio: Koch Vision
Director: Nigel P. Harris
Cast: Guy Harvey, Kevin McGreevy
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 70 minutes
Theatrical release: September 7, 2004
DVD release: November 9, 2004
MPAA Rating: NR