The Pilgrim's Progress

John Bunyan's 17th-century religious allegory about a good man's pilgrimage through the perils and pitfalls of life is turned into a computer-generated animation, a cartoon "faith film" that's presumably aimed primarily at kids, yet whose symbolic vision will require considerable explanation from adults. This animated adaptation is basic but effective, as our hero, Christian, encounters a swamp of despondency, flying rats, talking mountains, a winged demon, giants and assorted allegorical oddities en route to everlasting life and happiness in the Celestial City. But the flag-waving Christianity may not sit comfortably with an audience that's either multi-faith or of a more secular bent than when the book was published in 1678. Also, with no cute creatures, precocious kids or perky pop songs, The Pilgrim's Progress could be considered an alternative kind of family film, offering appeal to those already inclined towards Christianity or those with the most open of minds about religion.