Babes in Toyland (1986)

Good movie, but best of all time? Hardly . . .

Fresh and Exciting

At first rather annoying in its heavy emphasis on reenactments, this movie ultimately proves fascinating, simply because the complicated, highly dramatic tale it tells still almost defies belief.

This is a small, humorous movie in some ways, but it has a huge heart. What a nice experience.

That's my adult vote-- 1 for Awful. But if I were 3 or 4 or even 5 years old I'll bet I'd consider this weird misfire thrilling entertainment, once it got to Toyland. For those who like Barney the purple dinosaur, it could be just the thing... I'm glad that there are viewers who find it truly watchable; after all, it took some effort to put it together, especially with such an obvious lack of adequate budget. TV movies have come a long way since '86, though. The 80s really inflicted some pretty bad music on us and this is no exception, with a number of really painful new songs, and the beloved 1903 'Toyland' title song's melody thrown in here and there as incidental music. Thankfully, the stirring "March of the Toys" is included during the final battle scene. Even without comparison to the delightful (if considerably altered from the stage version) 1934 Laurel and Hardy outing, the less charming but still enjoyable 1961 Disney effort, or the quaint 1954 live television production (preserved on kinescope), this 'Toyland' is pretty feeble stuff. Despite being filmed in Bavaria, a place chock-a-block with fairytale villages and wonderful castles, the Toyland set looks like some corner of a minor suburban theme park, complete with rubber- tired miniature train and little cars obviously taken from a racetrack ride. The rather modern buildings appear to have been freshly repainted for the occasion. Barnaby's nasty trolls are actually icky enough to be effective as a menace, though at about 10 to 12 count they're too few to be much of an army. For the most part the cheesy creature costumes, which would be quite acceptable in person, on screen require a level of willing-suspension-of-disbelief not granted to many of us. Plus, Richard Mulligan is seriously miscast as villain Barnaby, though Pat Morita as the Toymaster is (predictably) one of the bright spots-- despite being saddled with having to sing some of that limp new score. Well, I saw 86's "Toyland" listed and tuned in out of curiosity. Thought I'd comment.

I really really love the movie !!! When i was like a year or seven, i have seen it for the first time, and my dad recorded it on a video so i can watch it everyday. and i did, i was i am really crazy on this movie. I like the way how Drew goes into toyland and meet all those amazing people. and i loved it because its a world of your own dreams. and its a movie where you can say ow i had that to..or hey its like my dreamworld.! But i only have one problem! Someone broke my video :( and now i cant watch it anymore. I have looked everywhere on the internet but i cant find it,, neder on DVD or on VHS...I live in the Netherland you know, and almost nobody knows this movie. what really stinks because i miss my movie:( My Quistion is does anybody know how i can get this movie? doesn't matter if its on DVD or on VHS. Please would you email me if you know?? Thanks,,, Lots of love Nadine

While some people might say that this movie is not worth seeing, I, for one, disagree. I am 23 years old and still love to watch this movie every now and then. Forget the fact that it is one of the first movies that you can see Drew Barrymore in or that an actor like Keanu Reeves became the star he is, and just focus on the story. For any of you who have seen the original (with Annette Funicello) you shouldn't compare the two because they are completely different. Both, however, have fantastical themes put to song. The songs are cute and enthusiastic. I'm no movie critic (although I rarely agree with critics views on movies) but I feel that this movie is worth seeing at least once to form your own opinion on it. Keep your mind open and your heart light and you should enjoy this movie. Happy viewing!

Although I was probably ten or eleven when I saw this movie for the first time, I thought it was very cute and enjoyable, and even now, being nineteen, I can still watch it and enjoy it. I understand how someone could not like it, watching it for the first time thirteen years after it came out, especially since peoples views on movies have changed drastically. I'm sure if I had never seen it before, and I watched it now, being nineteen years old, my views might be a little different, but you never know. Anyway, it was a very cute movie, and I think it's still suitable for anyone, even over the age of ten, it just depends on the person.