
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 19, 1993                   TAG: 9306190137
SECTION: EXTRA                    PAGE: B5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: MIKE MAYO CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

`ONCE UPON A FOREST' IS SIMPLY A MOVIE FOR THE YOUNG ONES

"Once Upon a Forest" is a perfectly acceptable little animated feature for children, the younger kids who aren't ready for the high-powered thrills of "Jurassic Park."

Older viewers probably won't find much to hold their attention, and anyone looking for the wit and detail of Disney animation will be disappointed. This one is a co-production of Hanna-Barbera and a Welsh television group, and it looks like something that might show up on a Saturday morning network cartoon.

The simple story involves the inhabitants of Dapplewood Forest, specifically three youngsters: Abigail the mouse, Edgar the mole and Russell the hedgehog. They are students, or "furlings" of the wise old badger Cornelius whose voice is provided by Michael Crawford, Broadway's "Phantom of the Opera."

When a gas spill seriously injures their friend Michelle, Cornelius sends the trio to a distant meadow to find the herbs that might cure her. Their adventures on the quest include a scary encounter with a one-eyed owl, and an avian preacher (voice of Ben Vereen) who warns them about "the yellow dragons," construction equipment.

The musical numbers are few and instantly forgettable. The characters have no real personalities. At the same time, the story moves quickly; it's short - just over an hour long - and it's simple enough for all but the youngest to understand.

For comparative purposes, "Once Upon a Forest" is a cut above the recent "Happily Ever After" but it's not even close to "Aladdin."

`Once Upon a Forest: **1/2 A 20th Century Fox release playing at the Valley View Mall 6, Salem Valley 8. 66 min. Rated G.

by CNB