Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SATURDAY, June 4, 1994 TAG: 9406070059
SECTION: EXTRA PAGE: B-10 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: By CHARLES SOLOMON SPECIAL TO THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
DATELINE: HOLLYWOOD LENGTH: Medium
Based on the 1872 novel by Scottish writer George MacDonald, this fairy tale focuses on Princess Irene (voice by Sally Ann Marsh), who leads a sheltered life in her father's castle with only her bumbling governess and her cat, Turnip, for company. On a walk, she meets Curdi (Peter Murray) a miner's son, who learns that subterranean goblins are plotting to seize the kingdom. Curdi foils their plan with a little help from Irene and the royal guards because he knows the goblins' weaknesses: They hate singing and stepping on their feet is the only way to hurt them.
All ends happily, although the screenplay by producer Robin Lyons leaves many loose ends dangling. Why is Curdi the only person who knows how to defeat the goblins? While sneaking through the underground kingdom, he discovers the Queen Goblin (Peggy Mount) has six toes on each foot, while her subjects have only one: Why is this significant-sounding discovery never mentioned again?
The animation, done by crews in Wales and Hungary, looks like Saturday-morning kidvid. Director Jozsef Gemes, is widely respected for his epic paint-on-glass feature, ``Heroic Times'' (1982): He deserves better material - as do the children who'll be parked at a matinee of ``Princess'' while their parents shop in an adjacent mall.
The Princess and the Goblin
A Hemdale picture, playing at the Salem Valley 8 and Valley View Mall 6. Rated G. Nothing objectionable. A flood scene may upset 2- and 3-year-olds. 82 minutes.
by CNB