Wow. This film has some surprisingly rich entertainment to offer. At its best it takes on and sometimes beats three rather well known series: Star Wars , Lord of the Rings , and Die Hard. Big nicely done action fits well into the film and around the easy-to-like characters that don't take themselves too seriously. In fact, the film's excellent sense of humor aptly rounds the edges of the abrasive title. Yes, he's red and ugly (by his own admission), but how can you not root for a devil-like brute that takes valuable film time to sit down with his amphibian friend and sing -- from the heart, no less -- a silly Barry Manilow love song.

And so, the bulk of the film strongly entertains. There's not a dull moment and each element feels put together with passion -- from the CGI to the set design, to the editing, dialogue, direction, acting. It's enough to forgive the film's sub-par opening and ending climax/resolution which rely too heavily on a ho-hum beneath-the-production-value dispassionate story. Especially the ending, there were many better choices for climax even given the storyline. This one is far too typical and un-affecting given such a wealth of cinematic prowess making up the bulk of the film.

It's an A picture mounted into a B frame, wedging a final grade precisely between B+ & A-. I'll round up for the pleasant surprise.

-- Books by author/illustrator Ross Anthony --