TeenzTen An action-packed slog

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

Huievest Instead, you get a movie that's enjoyable enough, but leaves you feeling like it could have been much, much more.

Helllins It is both painfully honest and laugh-out-loud funny at the same time.

Eric Stevenson I admit that I'm not that familiar with the "Sesame Street" episodes that focus primarily on Elmo. The funny thing is that Elmo was originally just a background character and didn't become the focus until the 1990's. It's still great to have a movie based on "Sesame Street", especially when there are only two in existence. I did find this to be too short. I mean, I look at the Muppet movies and find that they're a lot longer and a lot funnier. A downside here was probably how I really wanted more focus on the other characters. "Sesame Street" has given us so many iconic characters and only Elmo and Oscar the Grouch really have a big role here.I admit that I'm not familiar with Zoey. Well, it was nice to be introduced to her more, I suppose. This just didn't seem like it was enough for a full movie and more like just a long episode of the show. That being said, it's by no means bad. It's especially fun to see Bert and Ernie appear throughout the movie and literally comment on it. I guess I'm just not much of an Elmo fan and am a lot more into Big Bird. Characters like Cookie Monster and the Count should have had way more of a role. Of course, it does nothing to ruin a beloved series and "Sesame Street" really should live on forever. I guess I liked this for the nostalgia, it just didn't have the characters I'm more familiar with. **1/2

ackstasis The cleverest thing about 'The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland (1999)' is the degree of self-reference. The film begins with Sesame Street stalwarts Bert and Ernie, our hosts for the evening, breaking the fourth wall to greet the audience and introduce the feature presentation. We, the audience, are asked to count backwards from ten so that the film may begin; in keeping with the spirit of the viewing, I acquiesced. Our hosts regularly interrupt the main story whenever our hero's predicament is looking particularly dire, probably to remind the younger viewers that a happy ending is just around the corner. Then Bert gets excited about the closing credits.The meat of the film centres on that adorable reddish monster Elmo (Kevin Clash), who wakes up one morning and begins to sing about his beloved blanket. (Bizarrely, Elmo's bedroom features just one recognisable feature – a giant poster of Tiger Woods). When he accidentally travels to the mystical Grouchland (via a '2001'-like wormhole accessed through Oscar the Grouch's bachelor pad), he loses his blanket to the sinister self-proclaimed villain Huxley (Mandy Patinkin), a human with bushy eyebrows and a desire to steal anything that isn't his. A frustrated Elmo strikes out to retrieve his prized blanket, getting occasional help from various creatures and even the audience members. I know what it's like to lose a treasured possession. In fact, my dad threw away my favourite stuffed toy, for which I have never really forgiven him. Elmo's epic journey through Grouchland helps him to learn that material possessions are not everything, but the heartwarming finale is nevertheless rewarding in a predictable, slightly fluffy way. Movie references are abundant: 'Titanic (1997),' 'Gone with the Wind (1939)' and 'Doctor Zhivago (1965)' are offered by pessimist Bert as movies without a happy ending. They crafty larrikins at Jim Henson Pictures even managed to work in a reference to 'Basic Instinct (1992),' with the Grouchland cinema screening the picture with the title "Basically, It Stinks."

compo39 I think your thoughts that the movie missed its target is a load of crap. This movie is 1 of the cutest movies I've seen, im in my 20's and I thought it was so adorable, beats any other kids movie I've seen. Please, if any1 is going to rate a kids movie, make sure they know what they're talking about. Such stupid people out there...stupid 'so called' critics. I wonder what sort of car they drive or what their wives look like... yea exactly.. thats all i have to say really to make up for the 10 so called lines.. It may have made New Year's celebrations a little damp, but the rain that greeted revellers in some Australian cities was still welcome.And Australians will be hoping for more of it in 2007 to break the nation's drought, which experts have called the worst in 100 years.Despite the rain, hundreds of thousands of revellers attended traditional fireworks displays, concerts and dances around the country. It seemed revellers heeded warnings to behave, with police around the nation reporting few major problems.Most people in major cities also used public transport to avoid traffic problems.The country's biggest fireworks display - possibly the world's biggest - centred on the Sydney Harbour Bridge.More than a million people gathered along the harbour foreshore and on the water to watch the two fireworks shows.Children dressed up for the family show at 9 pm, whose theme was The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.The midnight fireworks show, which was billed as the biggest and best to date, lasted 13 minutes and featured pyrotechnics displays off CBD buildings, the bridge and harbourside locations.On his first visit to Sydney, New Zealander Quintin Thomas, 27, of Wellington, said he'd "seen the best night in the world"."It's the best New Year's I've ever had," Mr Thomas said."I saw it on TV and had to come and check it out."Fireworks off the buildings, off everything - that's class."More than 1,500 police patrolled popular Sydney areas including the Rocks, Circular Quay, Darling Harbour, Manly, Coogee and Bondi.In Canberra, the fireworks display went ahead despite major storms.An ACT police spokesman said a couple of thousand people gathered in the Civic district for fireworks and concerts.DJs entertained younger crowds, while a Beatles cover band played in the city's central square, Garema Place.In Melbourne there were record crowds of about 450,000 in the city despite rainy weather.About 50,000 attended a party at Federation Square and there were six party sites around the city, offering free entertainment.

themeehans02 First off, i'm a parent. My daughter is 18months old and LOVES Elmo, her grandfather got this movie for her and she already knows how to play it on the DVD player(she pulls it out of the case, opens up the player and puts it in... sometimes upside down though ;) )and sits down with the remote. so she loves it. great she's not voting. I, on the other hand walk around all day after watching this singing the songs from it in my head... they are just so catchy. i never thought i would say this, but i'm starting to love family movies like this one. remember when voting for this, that it is meant for the under 5 crowd. not the 16-35yr old amateur film critics that think they know everything.