The technology both overwhelms the human cast and stalls the narrative drive. Even Williams's manic energy finally flags.

| Apr 20, 2022

The humans are wooden, the computer-animals have that floating, jerky gait of animated fauna.

| Aug 19, 2015

The filmmakers... re-create safari beasts with wizardly finesse but can’t think of anything to do with them but zap you.

| Original Score: C+ | Sep 7, 2011

| Original Score: 2.5/5 | Aug 21, 2010

What’s missing is a soul for this mechanical marvel.

| Jan 2, 2009

Hollow, but very spectacular.

| Jun 24, 2006

Eschewing warm, cuddly imagery just as Mr. Van Allsburg's book does, the film affects a strange, artificial style that has the invasive weirdness of Gremlins but none of the charm.

| May 20, 2003

Full Review | Original Score: C+ | Feb 4, 2003

As a movie, it's far from compelling. As a thrill ride, though, it's a rampaging special-effects and animatronics extravaganza that will make small children cringe behind their seats.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 18, 2002

Take away the CGI mayhem and what emerges is a rather touching tale of second chances and innocence prematurely lost.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Apr 17, 2001

Something bad happened on the way from the book to the movie.

| Feb 13, 2001

There's every reason to close up this board game before you've even started.

| Jan 1, 2000

Full Review | Original Score: 3/4 | Jan 1, 2000

A gloomy special-effects extravaganza filled with grotesque images, generating fear and despair.

| Original Score: 1.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000

A calculated but very entertaining special effects extravaganza.

Full Review | Original Score: 3.5/4 | Jan 1, 2000