Once Upon a Forest 1993

Gene Siskel, Chicago Tribune: The characters are not memorable; the songs are lame and the drawing style is pedestrian. Read more

Johanna Steinmetz, Chicago Tribune: It contains a dire message: Man is destroying nature and progress is evil. It is hard to know what small children, the film's intended audience, are supposed to do with this idea. Nag their parents about recycling? Work it out in nightmares? Read more

Desmond Ryan, Philadelphia Inquirer: Respect for nature and the environment is a message that no one would quarrel with, but this is yet another example of a movie that can't or won't differentiate between technology and the use to which it is put. Read more

Jeff Shannon, Seattle Times: It's a good thing this breezy animated adventure lasts only slightly more than 70 minutes. Children will no doubt enjoy its simple tale, but would probably grow restless if it went on for a minute longer. Read more

Stephen Holden, New York Times: In this likable fable about growing up, learning teamwork and developing courage, three small creatures who dwell in Dapplewood, an idyllic forest, go on a far-flung quest for healing herbs to save the life of a dying friend. Read more

James Berardinelli, ReelViews: The latest subpar G-rated animated feature to prey upon of parents in search of suitable entertainment for their kids. Read more

Roger Ebert, Chicago Sun-Times: Once Upon a Forest has a good heart -- I liked the way it treated its themes -- but the movie is kind of dumb. Read more

Mark Kermode, Time Out: Makes one long for animals whacking each other with sticks of dynamite. Read more

Todd McCarthy, Variety: While an agreeable enough effort in most respects, pic is a bit dark and somber to be terrifically appealing to kids, and could have used bigger doses of humor and music. Read more

Hal Hinson, Washington Post: Even children can't help but be bored by the movie's shadowless, textureless, weightless style of animation. Read more

Desson Thomson, Washington Post: Dismally unimaginative, this 72-minute cartoon will be excruciating for anyone endowed with judgment. Read more