Napoleon MPAA Rating: G Entertainment: +3 Content: +3

This new children's film was produced in Australia and is a surprisingly clever and entertaining movie. It's about the adventures of a lovable Golden Retriever puppy who has given himself the name "Napoleon," after the fearless French General, to replace his real name, "Muffin". Now Napoleon is living a quiet life in a large town in Australia, but wants to be free and have a grand adventure. One day he gets that opportunity when a small basket, with birthday balloons attached, carries him away to a wilderness area. Here he meets a fast talking, comical parrot who becomes his friend and watches over him as he encounters a variety of other talking animals and birds in the wilderness. These include some singing parakeets, a menacing wild cat, a snake, a frog , rabbits, two comical lizards, a kangaroo and a family of wild, but friendly, dogs. But eventually Napoleon decides he's seen enough and wants to go home. The words and song lyrics of the animals are spoken by professional, humorous narrators, and children under the age of about 8 will find Napoleon lots of fun.

Happily, this is one of those G rated pictures which is just a fun, inoffensive film appropriate for kids under 8. Unlike many other G rated films these days, it doesn't have such questionable elements as intense violence, witchcraft, pagan worship, new age religious concepts, evil spirits, seductive women or sexual innuendo. However, it does have some scary scenes including one in which a sinister black cat stalks Napoleon and they battle each other briefly. And Napoleon and some wilderness puppies are threatened when a flood pours into a cave in which they have taken refuge. But none of these appear intense enough to disturb young children. A couple of off color remarks are made,using the phrases "little birds suck" and "kick your tail". And the point is made that an animal must kill to survive in the wilderness. At the same time, Napoleon learns that things aren't necessarily "greener in the other pasture" and leaving home can be dangerous.

Preview Reviewer: John Evans
Distributor: Samuel Goldwyn Co./MGM Distribution, 2500 Broadway ST., Santa Monica, CA 90404