Watch Babes in Toyland

In 1997, a new version of the classic tale "Babes in Toyland" was released starring Charles Nelson Reilly, Lacey Chabert, and Joseph Ashton. The movie takes place in a magical world where all of the toys come to life and live in harmony with each other. The story follows two siblings, Jack and Jill, who venture to this world to save their hometown from a greedy developer.

The movie opens with an animated sequence that provides background information about Toyland and its inhabitants. It's explained that the land is ruled by a kindly old man named Santa Claus (played by Reilly) who is aided by his loyal soldiers, the Toy Soldiers. The citizens of Toyland are busy preparing for the upcoming holiday season, but trouble is brewing in the form of Barnaby (played by Christopher Plummer), a wealthy businessman who wants to destroy Toyland and build a new factory in its place.

The story shifts to the real world where we're introduced to Jack (played by Ashton) and Jill (played by Chabert), two siblings who are struggling to keep their family's bakery afloat. Their town is in dire straits and Barnaby is the only hope for economic revival. However, he makes a deal with the siblings that requires them to sign over the deed to their family's property, a deal Jack is unwilling to make. But after Jack and Jill accidentally fall into a pile of toys while being chased by Barnaby's henchmen, they find themselves transported to the magical world of Toyland.

Once in Toyland, Jack and Jill are quickly introduced to a variety of colorful characters, including Mary Contrary (played by Rachael Leigh Cook), the daughter of a powerful mayor; Grumio (played by Bronson Pinchot), a helpful inventor; and the evil Barnaby who has made his way to Toyland and is now scheming to take over the land. Jack and Jill must work with their new friends to stop Barnaby's nefarious plans and save Toyland from destruction.

Throughout the movie, Jack and Jill are constantly being chased by Barnaby's henchmen, including the bumbling duo Gonzargo and Rodrigo (played by Phil Fondacaro and Kevin Schon). The action is fast-paced and energetic, with plenty of slapstick humor and a series of creative, cartoonish sequences that take full advantage of the film's fantasy setting.

At its heart, "Babes in Toyland" is a cheerful and uplifting movie that celebrates the magic of childhood imagination. The cast is charming and energetic, with Charles Nelson Reilly stealing the show as the lovable Santa Claus. The film also features a handful of catchy musical numbers, including "Toyland" and "We Won't Be Happy Till We Get It".

Despite the movie's cheerful tone, there are a few moments of darkness and danger that might be too intense for very young children. The movie's climax, in particular, features a tense battle between the heroes and Barnaby's forces that could be too scary for some viewers.

Overall, "Babes in Toyland" is a fun and entertaining movie that's perfect for the holiday season. The film's message of friendship and perseverance is sure to resonate with viewers of all ages, making it a great choice for family movie night.

Babes in Toyland is a 1999 animated movie. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 4.8.