Feel right at 'Home' on this old 'Range'

Teen Movie Review By Charly Shelton

"Home on the Range" is the story of a group of cows trying to save their farm from the auction block, and accepting a newcomer cow. This movie isn't exactly "where the deer and the antelope play"; more like "where the cows, horses, buffalo, jackrabbit and yodelers play." Filled with hilarity, even for teens and adults, this is a great movie for a family to see together.

Roseanne Barr provides the voice of "Maggie," the new cow, a smart-mouthed character that makes the other animals on the farm realize they have more power than they thought. Judi Dench as "Mrs. Caloway," is the bovine voice of reason and Jennifer Tilly is the "hippie" cow that tries to bring love and understanding to all creatures. This trio sets out to capture the cattle-rustling bad guy, "Alameda Slim," voiced by Randy Quaid, who is out to grab all the land for himself. The cows get a little horse power from "Buck," voiced by Cuba Gooding, Jr., who considers himself the "Bruce Lee" of horses.

"Home on the Range" is a very touching story with laughs along the way. There are not as many songs as in other Disney animated films, but that seems to play well with this story.

Young children will like the lovable characters, and especially the baby pig's gross out humor. Older audiences will appreciate the humor put forth by Buck and Maggie. Listen for the references to all karate movies ever made and the "Got Milk?" and "California Cheese" commercials.

Written and directed by Will Finn and John Sanford, "Home on the Range" is rated PG for "brief mild rude humor."

I give this movie 4-1/2 out of 5 "entranced colorful cows."

Charly Shelton is a freshman at Crescenta Valley High School.