Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, May 29, 1993 TAG: 9305290241
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-7 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The animation is on a par with most Saturday morning cartoon shows - stiff and simple. The synthetic songs are forgettable. But the colors are bright and the pace doesn't drag. Younger viewers, about ages 4-8, are the target audience. Older kids will be restless.
The story begins where the first ended. The Evil Queen is dead. Snow White (voice of Irene Cara) and the Prince are about to make it legal. In fact, they're on their way to invite the Dwarfs to the wedding when Lord Maliss, EQ's brother, shows up and vows vengeance.
Before you know it, he has kidnapped the Prince and Snowy is back at the forest cottage. But the Dwarfs are gone. Seven "dwarfelles" are subletting the place. Looking for all the world like mutant Smurfs, these seven women - Thunderella, Sunburn, Muddy, Blossom, Critterina, Moonbeam and Marina - have special powers over elements and animals.
In a bit of sexual role reversal, Mother Nature intervenes to allow the dwarfelles to help Snowy rescue her Prince. Off they go to Maliss's castle.
There's nothing wrong with the idea. But judged against current standards of animation, this one's undernourished. In terms of wit and liveliness, it's got nothing on "The Simpsons." As far as feature films go, the Disney people have set a high standard with "The Little Mermaid," "Beauty and the Beast" and "Aladdin."
Kids who love those movies and rewatch them constantly will likely be disappointed.
Happily Ever After: ** A First National release playing at the Salem Valley 8. 71 min. Rated G but it does contain a scary dragon.
by CNB