REEL CRITICS

James Isaac Neutron (voiced by Debi Derryberry), child genius, may be

small, but he is capable of creating amazing inventions with gadgets from

the house in “Jimmy Neutron.”

Jimmy and his family live in Retroville (a bit of modern-day to ‘60s)

with his robot dog Goddard. He and his school chums have way more

important “things” to do than schoolwork. Jimmy is trying to contact

aliens from his “spaceship,” which he crashes into his house. Our

grandson Matthew, 5 1/2, caught this one, “Napon Bill (can’t pronounce

Grandpa), see, Jimmy made a really big mess and didn’t even get put into

time out!” Jimmy’s friends are googley eyed when he claims to have

communicated with a “yucky” race of aliens.

Granddaughter Tabatha, 11, in the middle of the movie screeches,

“Grammy, that’s ‘N Sync and the Backstreet Boys music. Are they in the

movie?” That was about all the reaction she showed. She said it was a bit

too “babyish” for her!

Of course Jimmy has his parents to deal with -- don’t all kids? A new

amusement park is opening and Jimmy is not allowed to attend because it

falls on a school night. He and his classmates try a few unsuccessful

schemes, so he sneaks out. Little does he know while he and his friends

are stuffing themselves with junk food at the opening all their parents

are being abducted by the “green phlegm” aliens Jimmy has engaged in

contact with. This is the best part . . . not going to tell you any more

. . . got to see the movie!

The target audience may be for children, 5 to 10, but parents and

grandparents, you’ll enjoy the high-energy music, vibrant colors and

amazing computer animation, plus a chance to be a kid one more time. We

say, “Fly with Neutron” at the theater or on video.

* GAY WASSALL-KELLY, 62, is the editor of a Balboa newspaper and is

active in the community. BILL KELLY, 60, is an industrial engineer.