The Adventures Of Elmo In Grouchland [2000]

'Sesame Street' star Elmo begins his first movie adventure by selfishly refusing to share his beloved blue blanket with Zoe. This leads to a tug-of-war which sends the blanket flying off to a faraway place. When Elmo gathers up the courage to go and rescue the blanket, he soon finds himself in Grouchland, a place where everybody and everything is moody and selfish. The 'Sesame Street' characters joining Elmo in this adventure include Bert and Ernie, Big Bird, and, of course, Oscar the Grouch.   Welcome to Grouchland, USA, place of a thousand stenches. This is where everyone's favourite red monster winds up when he stars in his first feature film, The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland. Elmo learns a lesson when he refuses to share his blanket with his best friend, Zoe, then loses it in Oscar's can, where it goes all the way to Grouchland. There the beloved blanket winds up in the clutches of the greediest man alive, Huxley (played by Mandy Patinkin), and Elmo has to venture alone to Huxley's lair to get it back. The Sesame Street gang follows Elmo but ends up in the Grouchland jail. Fortunately, whenever things start looking too bleak, our hosts Ernie and Bert stop the film and offer reassurance. There are also numerous opportunities for audience participation (canned kids' voices will prevent parents from feeling too silly when viewing at home). This 73-minute film has plenty to entertain the youngsters as well as details and inside jokes for parents. And of course there are marvellous animated effects--although seeing Elmo dance in 1999 isn't quite as remarkable as it was to see Kermit ride a bicycle in 1977's The Muppet Movie. The songs are fun and bouncy, and veteran performers Patinkin and Vanessa Williams (as the Queen of Trash) contribute their exceptional talent. The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland was conceived as a film kids could see in the cinema; in the safe environs of home, it's good fun for anyone over the age of two, or even younger in small doses. -- David Horiuchi,From the Back Cover Join Elmo in his biggest adventure yet! Elmo loves his fuzzy, well-worn blue blanket better than anything in the whole world. Elmo would never let anything happen to it - until a tug-of-war with his friend Zoe sends his beloved blanket to a faraway land. Elmo summons all his courage and sets off an action-packed rescue mission that plunges him into Grouchland - a place full of grouchy creatures, stinky garbage and the villainous Huxley (Mandy Patinkin). From Jim Henson Pictures and the Children's Television Workshop, this full-length film features Elmo along with all his Sesame Street friends including Big Bird, Oscar the Grouch, and Bert and Ernie. Its grouch-loving good time filled with fun, sensational songs and adventure!