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Movies / On DVD / Fat Albert
Fat Albert

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Fat Albert (2004)

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Reviews Counted:81

Fresh:17

Rotten:64

Average Rating:4.3/10

Consensus: A bland but good-natured adaptation of the cartoon show.

Runtime: 1 hr 40 mins

Genre: Childrens

Synopsis: Inspired by the 1970s animated television series, FAT ALBERT transports the loveable characters from their animated universe into the real world. When Doris (Kyla Pratt), a sad teenager in... Inspired by the 1970s animated television series, FAT ALBERT transports the loveable characters from their animated universe into the real world. When Doris (Kyla Pratt), a sad teenager in Philadelphia, turns on a rerun of FAT ALBERT AND THE COSBY KIDS, her tears compel the always-helpful Fat Albert to jump through the TV screen to her rescue. His friends quickly follow, and to Doris's astonishment, the whole Fat Albert gang magically transforms into real live people right in her living room. Not knowing what to do with her odd new friends, Doris adamantly denies having a problem, and encourages the boys to jump back into the TV set. But Albert can see that Doris is lonely and is determined to find her some friends. As Albert tries to fix Doris's problem, the rest of the gang tries to adjust to their new, unscripted world. Meanwhile, Albert finds himself falling in love with Doris's foster sister, Lauri. But as soon as the gang begins to enjoy the perks of being real, their brightly colored outfits start to fade. Taking this as a sign that they do not belong in the real world, the boys decide it's time to go home. Bill Cosby (co-writer of the film and creator of the original series) makes a guest appearance as himself, warning Albert that he must return to his animated world before evaporating into a cloud of celluloid dust. But before Albert can leave, he must solve Doris's problem. Kenan Thompson (of Saturday Night Live fame) is charming as Albert, who demonstrates the power of believing in one's self by never letting anything (including his size) get in the way of his goals. [More]

Starring: Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, Dania Ramirez, Omari Grandberry

Starring: Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, Dania Ramirez, Omari Grandberry, Marques Houston, Keith Robinson, Aaron Carter, Jeremy Suarez, Raven Symone, Keri Lynn Pratt, Shedrack Anderson, Jermaine Williams

Director: Joel Zwick

Director: Joel Zwick
Screenwriter: Bill Cosby, Charles Kipps
Producer: John Davis
Composer: Richard Gibbs
Studio: 20th Century Fox

[See More Credits]

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Reviews for Fat Albert

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1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
Arrange By:Fresh | Rotten | Comments | Name | Source | Date
 
 

The Cosby touch (he's co-writer and co–executive producer) is in full effect, schmaltz notwithstanding, as Albert and the gang run through their series of pleasantly diverting escapades.

Full Review Source: Time Out | comment Comment
02/09/06
Time Out
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

The movie ambles along at a pleasant, undemanding pace, with good-natured humor.

Full Review Source: Arizona Republic | comment Comment
12/23/04
Randy Cordova
Randy Cordova
Arizona Republic

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Associated Press | comment Comment
12/27/04
David Germain
David Germain
Associated Press

A tame, inoffensive little comedy that's never heinous enough to stink up the theater completely, even though it rarely rises above mediocrity.

Full Review Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution | comment Comment
12/23/04
Phil Kloer
Phil Kloer
Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Its messages are innocuous and may hold the attention of the littlest viewers, but older audience members may find themselves repulsed by their nostalgia.

Full Review Source: Austin Chronicle | comment Comment
01/15/05
Marjorie Baumgarten
Marjorie Baumgarten
Austin Chronicle

A wildly sanitized product.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
12/24/04
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Boston Phoenix | comment Comment
12/27/04
Boston Phoenix
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An uneven effort.

Full Review Source: Boxoffice Magazine | comment Comment
12/23/04
Paul Clinton (Boxoffice)
Paul Clinton (Boxoffice)
Boxoffice Magazine

An inoffensive void through which you sail without effort or interest.

Full Review Source: Charlotte Observer | comment Comment
12/27/04
Lawrence Toppman
Lawrence Toppman
Charlotte Observer

At the end of this weak comedy is a strange and touching scene in which Bill Cosby and his childhood pals from Philadelphia, now elderly men, gather at the grave of Albert Robertson, the real-life inspiration for Cosby's bighearted Fat Albert.

Full Review Source: Chicago Reader | comment 1 Comment
05/20/08
J. R. Jones
J. R. Jones
Chicago Reader

The movie is sweet and gentle, but not very compelling.

Full Review Source: Chicago Sun-Times | comment Comment
12/24/04
Roger Ebert
Roger Ebert
Chicago Sun-Times
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

Although Fat Albert is smart enough to poke fun at itself director Joel Zwick can't quite conjure up any modern relevance.

Full Review Source: Chicago Tribune | comment Comment
12/24/04
Robert K. Elder
Robert K. Elder
Chicago Tribune
N/R

Click to read the article

Full Review Source: Cinema Crazed | comment Comment
04/29/09
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Felix Vasquez Jr.
Cinema Crazed

This movie rekindling of Bill Cosby’s long-running Saturday morning cartoon rings of squandered potential.

Full Review Source: Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia) | comment Comment
01/05/05
Mark Palermo
Mark Palermo
Coast (Halifax, Nova Scotia)

Na, na, na, gonna have a good time? Nay, nay, nay.

Full Review Source: Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN) | comment Comment
12/28/04
John Beifuss
John Beifuss
Commercial Appeal (Memphis, TN)

Should prove to be great fun for kids, especially for those who want to know what their dads used to watch on Saturday-morning TV.

Full Review Source: Compuserve | comment Comment
12/27/04
Harvey S. Karten
Harvey S. Karten
Compuserve

As a general rule, television shows do not make for good movies, and Saturday morning cartoons typically fare even worse in the transfer to the big screen. Fat Albert is no exception, but it's not in the Garfield category.

Full Review Source: Contra Costa Times | comment Comment
12/24/04
Peter Debruge
Peter Debruge
Contra Costa Times

Director Joel Zwick ("My Big Fat Greek Wedding") helms this redundant and distinctively shabby movie that wasn't even filmed in Philly.

Full Review Source: Daily Radar | comment Comment
04/16/09
Cole Smithey
Cole Smithey
Daily Radar

Pure of heart, devoid of toilet humor, it sticks close enough to Bill Cosby's cartoon series to pass muster.

Full Review Source: Dallas Morning News | comment Comment
12/23/04
Chris Vognar
Chris Vognar
Dallas Morning News

There's much to enjoy in Fat Albert.

Full Review Source: Denver Post | comment Comment
12/24/04
Lisa Kennedy
Lisa Kennedy
Denver Post
 
 
1 - 20 (sorted by source; UK critics are listed first)
Text View | 1 2 3 4 5 >> >|
all

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