Clifford's Really Big Movie

Clifford the Big Red Dog gets his own big-screen adventure in this feature-length spin-off from the children's cartoon series, based on the books by Norman Bridwell. Offering innocuous and giggle-inducing fun for the very young, it sees the inexplicably humongous canine (voiced by the late John Ritter) and his regular-sized pals T-Bone and Cleo run away from home to join a floundering troupe of carnival animals. "Big Red", as he's dubbed, is immediately welcomed by the amusingly ragtag group, which includes a high-flying ferret and a tightrope-walking cow, who view him as a means to win a talent contest that will save their show from closure. With its unsophisticated plot and flat, simplistic animation, this is an undemanding film with no appeal beyond its target audience. Entirely unsuitable for the cinema, it's best watched at home, where little ones will most appreciate its bouncy, sunny style and gaudy block colouring.