Pippi Longstocking

Although there's nothing in this animated adventure that's as magical as the books themselves, this is a fine starter Pippi for younger kids who haven't read (or been read) the Swedish series. The original songs in this special, however, are a mixed bag. A few are mildly amusing (like the silly duet the thieves sing about what they'd buy with Pippi's stolen gold), but some are a downright cringe-worthy (Altro's voice isn't exactly Disney quality). Between the songs, however, Pippi's shenanigans shine through, even though they've been somewhat tamed to make room for the showtunes.

Pippi purists may feel disappointed with the music and the modified antics, but those unfamiliar with her will get an easy-to-follow first look at how she operates and why she prefers the company of her pets to people. She's a girl of the world, that Pippi, and the story makes it clear that nothing and no one can keep our favorite redhead down; she's a scrappy survivor who can survive anything. If the subplot with the two convicts seems a bit familiar, that's because the execution seems very similar to the way the two dim burglars in Home Alone try to rob the house.