Unstable Fables: Goldilocks and the 3 Bears (G, 2008)

The Unstable Fables series from the Jim Henson company takes on the classic tale of the little lost girl and the "too hot, too cold, just right" Bears IN UNSTABLE FABLES: GOLDILOCKS AND THE 3 BEARS. As usual, the story is updated and given a funny twist: this time Goldilocks (voiced by Jamie Lynn Spears) is the spoiled celebutante host of a home makeover TV show, and the sloppy but loving Bear family is the recipient of her questionable altruism. A spin-off show is quickly conceived, catapulting the Bears to reality show fame while testing their loving family bonds -- and Goldilocks finds herself with a vested interest in keeping their family together.

The animated movie, while perhaps not as laugh-out-loud funny as the Unstable Fable's Three Pigs and A Baby, shares the solid storytelling of the other reimagined tales. It dares to dig a little deeper into Goldilock's life -- why was that child wandering around the woods unattended, anyway? There are not-so-subtle riffs on the stereotypes of both celebrity and poverty, and the reality TV industry takes a beating. "Disasters and humiliation -- that's what reality TV is all about!" exclaims Goldilock's weasel agent at one point, and it's hard to argue the point.

Beyond that there are nice scenes about forgiveness and the small things that make a family -- a shared dinner around a table and a kiss on the forehead at bedtime. Kids who have seen the other Unstable Fables may laugh to see the cameos by animated actors from those movies, and this is likely the only kid's movie to make G-rated use of the punchline from the adult film The Aristocrats. A great choice for a family movie night.

Studio: Weinstein Co.
Director: Howard E. Baker
Cast: Brooke Shields, Jamie Lynn Spears, Tom Arnold
Genre: Family and Kids
Run time: 78 minutes
Theatrical release: December 16, 2008
DVD release: December 16, 2008
MPAA Rating: G