 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
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 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Doug's 1st Movie
- Review Date: July 28, 2003
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 1999
Common Sense Media says
Doug saves a lake from a polluting monster.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that preschoolers won't get into the story, but some may enjoy the multi-colored characters and a suspiciously Barney-like lake creature. Grade schoolers will be most involved in Doug and Skeeter's struggles to do the right thing. Preteens may find the humor immature, but some might like the Valentine's Day dance subject matter and middle school setting.
What's the story?
In his film debut, popular television cartoon character Doug and his pal Skeeter discover a monster living in Lucky Duck Lake. It turns out that a local factory owner has been dumping waste into the lake, and the pollution created the monster. When Doug and Skeeter find out that the monster is friendly and means no harm, they name the creature Herman Melville and set out to protect it. While Skeeter wants to prove the factory owner is guilty of polluting the lake, Doug tries to use his friendship with the monster to impress his longtime crush, Patti. But when forced to choose between protecting the monster or proving himself to Patti, Doug helps the monster.
Is it any good?
Doug's big screen debut suffers from not being enough of a movie. Though the story tries to weave in some big themes--doing the right thing, ecological safety, overcoming jealousy--it fails to combine them in a meaningful way, and it doesn't always match the quality or focus of the best cartoons in the series. Still, all the goofy characters from the series are here, Bluffington is a pleasant place to visit for seventy-seven minutes.
The movie's admirable message comes through loud and clear and while Doug is at times too good to be true, the movie avoids being sickly sweet with some clever moments. The bonus "Dougumentary" is the best part. Creator Jim Jinkins answers questions such as "Why are all the characters different colors?" The answer, as you might have guessed, is "It doesn't matter how you look on the outside, it's what's on the inside that counts."
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the environmental message in this story.
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AGE
I don't like Disney's verison of Doug, Nickelodeon's verison of Doug is better.
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Kid, 11 years old
December 20, 2010
AGE
doug was on nick and disney but it was the same show!!!
disney was showing the same show!!! they both did show the same tv shows of doug!
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| Topics: | monsters, ghosts, and vampires |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Pictures |
| Director: | Maurice Joyce |
| Cast: | Frank Welker, Fred Newman, Thomas McHugh |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 77 minutes |
| Theatrical release date: | February 5, 1999 |
| DVD release date: | May 9, 2000 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
| MPAA explanation: | all audiences |
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