Amy Adler Claire is a new middle schooler who is longing to flex her maturity. One night, when her parents (Debi Mazar and Daniel Roebuck) are going on a date, she makes plans to sneak out and meet friends at the mall. Trouble is, her younger brother Rusty finds out about the potential escapade and tells their Grandma-babysitter (Lainie Kazan) the scoop. Naturally, Grandma calls Claire out on it. But, first Grandma suggests that she be allowed to read them a fairy tale and, perhaps, Claire will be able to go meet her friends. Both kids grimace and groan. Yet, G-mama insists and suggests that the two younger folks invent new aspects for the chosen tale, Red Riding Hood. The kids agree. Claire, who turns into Red, wants the family to live in a lighthouse at the edge of the woods and Rusty is avid for the wolf to become a werewolf (Joey Fatone). Red starts out bicycling up a beautiful coastline, then turns into the forest which leads to Grandmas house. G-ma (also Lainie Kazan) has been ill so Red is bringing her chicken soup in a thermos and crackers, too. Meanwhile, the werewolf devours a fisherman plus three nagging girls in charge of a toll bridge and he has his eyes on Red but his alter ego suggests he go to Grandma's first, eat her, and then wait for RRH, thus having a multi-course dinner. So, he does and he waits. All the while, Red sings some songs, the WW sings some songs and the rest of the family members chime in, too, to add in the fun. Will someone step out to rescue Red from the Wolf, as in the original story? This fun little musical version of a classic has something for most viewers. Since the stars are of varying ages, different generations will appreciate the film. Then, too, the scenery is lovely while the costumes, songs, script and direction add to the enjoyment. Very important, too, is the fact that the film subtly encourages reading and the use of the imagination, both good values. Families, you haven't seen it all if you haven't caught this new version of an old, old tale.

johnstonjames if there is any one thing that those of us that have seen this movie can agree on it's that we are all not N'SYNC with this whole thing. seems like you either like it or hate it or are perplexed by it.is it any good? well, actually i'm a little confused about this one. i happen to like the film very much and think it's surprisingly well done for what it is and it's ambitions(which are few)are. it's also at least likable enough not to deserve the critical skewering it usually gets. i think people are a little "put off" by this movie because the end result is unintentionally bizarre and way over the top. i think the film wants to be amusing and quaint, but it far exceeds that to the point the viewer feels as if they are being "punked" by this. of course not. it's just that fey and crazy weird. i mean what show in it's right mind lets Debi Mazar do her own singing? the result is predictably ear piercing. ouch. Debi Mazar is a really good actress, just not a good singer.also Joey "the fat one" Fatone is disturbingly over the top here as well, and a very strange presence. remember Fatone? he was the fat kid in the baby band N'Sync who was always back up and never a front guy. it's not that Fatone is'nt good. as a matter of fact he's slickly professional and sings and dances well and is very funny. what's the problem? Joey Fatone is way too young of a performer to seem like such a has-been, washed out, Las Vegas, Wayne Newton type. i mean the guy has just barely turned the big three zero and he's already ready for a has-been appearance on the 'Surreal Life'. his performance here is likable and engaging, but it feels so Las Vegas and so Wayne Newton. something too over-the-hill for someone this young. i doubt Fatone will ever enjoy the respectability that N'Sync buddy Justin Timberlake is enjoying now as a serious actor.the two best performers are the girl portraying 'Red' herself, and Lanie Kazan, who is delightfully ditzy as the yoga loving, hippie, liberal grandmother. Kazan sings and moves just great and reminds us that there is life for the geriatric set. there are also some funny performances by the girls who play the uber cool Ashley's. the Ashley's are a hilarious, tough, hybrid of 'hello kitty' and the 'Avenue 13' gang.despite a ridiculous 'PG' rating, everything here is 'G' rated and wholesome for all ages. the only thing that parents should be strongly cautioned about is the age inappropriate love interest for Red Riding Hood. it's age inappropriate because, hello, the little girl is only thirteen where the boy is at least eighteen or nineteen. that's an age difference that's bound to make any uptight father of a tween girl cringe.i'm not going to pretend this movie is great cinema. but it is a musical and a fairy tale, two things i absolutely love. it's an unintentionally strange film (probably due to it's being a musical), but i think it's fun and it was directed by Hollywood pro Randal Kleiser who always turns in a polished looking production even when the material is kind of junk. which, as much as i like this, this is.

Poor Yorick This movie, obviously, is not a Hollywood blockbuster, and its target audience is kids, so it should be judged accordingly. That said, my daughters, ages 6 and 8, are absolutely delighted by this movie, and when I finally gave in to their insistent pleas that I watch it with them, I could see why. It's obvious that it must have been one of the most fun movies ever to make. It's nothing but silly, but it's loads of fun. All the actors, including the kids, have a great time with their parts, and ham it up at every opportunity. The gags surrounding the juxtaposition between modern life and the classic tale of Red Riding Hood fly by so quickly that before you are finished appreciating one, you've missed two or three more. Joey Fatone is hilarious, and should have won an Oscar for his complete transformation between two simultaneous roles. Anyone who rates this movie poorly didn't watch it with an 8-year-old. Disclaimer: I loved "The Wizard of Speed and Time."

spaceteam7 Fleetmind is out of her mind! (just read the rest of her "bug-up-her-ass" reviews.) Would you trust the judgment someone who hated, "The Incredibles"? She sounds like the mean old lady down the street and is completely clueless when it comes to kid's movies. I saw Randall Kleiser's "Red Riding Hood" at digital screening in Hollywood with an industry audience who laughed and applauded the jokes - which update and parody the classic Grimm's fairy tale. This movie is utterly charming, witty, campy and fun. Children, especially girls, will love this movie --- unless they are given a poisoned apple from an evil witch, like Fleetmind.