The rapid-fire satirical sophistication (scatology notwithstanding) and lovingly rendered pulp surrealism of this sequence should delight adults, while kids will get a charge out of the heroines' grown-up-defying chutzpah.
What's really so appealing about the characters is their resemblance to everyday children. They're wildly energetic, competitive and (sometimes dangerously) impulsive. But they also learn from their mistakes, and their instincts are good. More power to them.
67
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
Seattle Post-IntelligencerPaula Nechak
Don't give the kids any sugar before this one -- it's so hyperactive it'll send them into overdrive without it.
63
Boston GlobeTy Burr
Boston GlobeTy Burr
Forgoes that split-level wit to concentrate on mere rock 'em sock 'em mayhem.
60
VarietyJoe Leydon
VarietyJoe Leydon
Small children who will accept it as rock-'em, sock-'em excitement with a touch of gender-specific empowerment, and hipper teens and grown-ups who can appreciate the whole thing as a semisatirical hoot.
50
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
Baltimore SunChris Kaltenbach
There's a wonderfully funny and relentlessly cute 45-minute cartoon within The Powerpuff Girls Movie; unfortunately, it's padded out with almost as much filler.
50
USA TodayMike Clark
USA TodayMike Clark
Isn't much, it's just lively enough to placate its limited audience to make it an easy choice over "Scooby-Doo's" stale Alpo.
50
Chicago Reader
Chicago Reader
Though the action is a bit intense for very young kids, it's probably no worse than what they see on television.