Gumby, The Movie

Lots of cartoon action involving toys: a fireman lands on Pokey; a toy rhino charges; Gumby's dog is captured and caged. Many other characters, including Gumby himself, are kidnapped and frozen, then cloned as robot versions of themselves. There is sword fighting and use of a mace and crossbow. Though there are injuries, recovery is quick and complete in all cases. Gumby has the ability to regenerate immediately even when flattened, sliced in half, or cut up by sharp weapons and lasers.

Parents need to know that this old-fashioned 1995 claymation movie, made by the same people who originated the characters more than a half century ago, pits Gumby and his friends against their perennial enemies, the Blockheads. It's smarter good guys (and gals) versus pretty inept bad guys, with plenty of cartoon action and minor suspense all so unrealistic that only the most sensitive or youngest kids, might be frightened. Still, the hero is sliced and diced as he fights with swords, lasers, and other medieval weapons. Characters are kidnapped, frozen, and turned into robot versions of themselves. The bloodless injuries are all short-lived, however; Gumby and his colleagues all revive and return quickly to normal. It should be noted that the DVD package lists the running time at 117 minutes when in reality it is only 77 minutes long (one hour, seventeen minutes).

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