Madeline

Review by James Anthony

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In an old house in Paris,
All covered with vines,
Lived 12 little girls,
In two straight lines,
In two straight lines,
They broke their bread,
They brushed their teeth,
and went to bed.

How many times have those lines been read by children or read by adults for kids? Too many to count, but trying to find a parent who won't go into a trance-like chant repeating the verse after mentioning the first would be like finding a bank manager with a sense of humour.

For decades, Madeline has been the heroine of many young children who find her independence and adventures something to marvel at.

"The smallest one" has made her mark in books and on TV and now has skipped media to appear on DVD.

In this big-screen adaptation, Madeline has to not only battle the 'orrible little Spanish boy next door - Pepito, the son of the ambassador - but also has to save her beloved school from being closed.

It is not an easy task as the owner of the school (Nigel Hawthorne) is keen to sell.

Apart from that major concern, our Madeline tends to get herself in some awful scrapes in an adventure that is based a lot upon the original book. She gets appendicitis, falls in the Seine ... you know, the usual stuff for young girls.

The cast does well with a non-demanding script and, all-up, it's an acceptable way for youngsters to spend an hour and a half.

Conclusion: Movie: 75% DVD Extras: 50%

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