I've been listening to the How Did This Get Made podcast for more than a decade now, and it's always been a dream to go to a live show. Finally, they decided to visit the Midwest on a tour, which included a stop in Detroit. I was quick to get a ticket, but somewhat appalled when I saw the movie they were going to put us through was The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure. This is a truly painful movie to watch. Even having no kids of my own, I've seen some bad children's TV shows, but this is like the worst of those all stretched out to be feature film length. The entire thing is so slow and tedious, with no educational value whatsoever. It doesn't teach any real life lessons, and at best can get kids to count up to 3. It's almost the opposite, in that it teaches kids they can safely jump from high places holding nothing but a balloon, and it also displays some mild racism.
What might be the most shocking about The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure is the cast of human characters that show up to embarrass themselves. Chazz Palminteri, Christopher Lloyd, and Toni Braxton are just 3 of the faces that are dancing and singing as horribly goofy characters. I will acknowledge that it seems they are giving their all in these performances despite how stupid the characters are writtten. Speaking of that, the writing is what I find most obnoxious about this film. It's one thing for goofy puppet characters like Barney to talk in very simple words so children can understand them, but these creatures say utter nonsense half the time. The songs are somehow worse. I've heard improvised lyrics that are better than this drivel. And if there's one thing I can't imagine parents wanting when they bring their kids to the movie theater, it is for a movie to encourage their kids to get up and start dancing and running around the theater. What can I say other than never watch The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure? Even if you have little kids there's no value in it, and God help you if they decide they like it and want to watch it again and again.
What might be the most shocking about The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure is the cast of human characters that show up to embarrass themselves. Chazz Palminteri, Christopher Lloyd, and Toni Braxton are just 3 of the faces that are dancing and singing as horribly goofy characters. I will acknowledge that it seems they are giving their all in these performances despite how stupid the characters are writtten. Speaking of that, the writing is what I find most obnoxious about this film. It's one thing for goofy puppet characters like Barney to talk in very simple words so children can understand them, but these creatures say utter nonsense half the time. The songs are somehow worse. I've heard improvised lyrics that are better than this drivel. And if there's one thing I can't imagine parents wanting when they bring their kids to the movie theater, it is for a movie to encourage their kids to get up and start dancing and running around the theater. What can I say other than never watch The Oogieloves in the Big Balloon Adventure? Even if you have little kids there's no value in it, and God help you if they decide they like it and want to watch it again and again.