This movie rocks... so hard.

Not in a teenage boy "XXX" kinda way, or in a preteen girl "Barbie" and/or *NSync kind way... but in a Cinematic, Fun Time at the Movies kinda way.

The cartoon is cute enough, and the writing is always sharp, with little in-jokes or puns thrown in... but how often do grown-ups watch Cartoon Network, anyway? (not often enough, I tell you!)

The film is storyboarded within an inch of its life... each little dramatic beat during the opening credits and up to the girls first day of school is hysterical. Things start to lag again once Mojo Jojo is thrown into the mix, however...

Jojo's trademark repetitive speech seems to have been toned down a bit, unfortunately, as he only occasionally breaks into those spiral Yoda-on-drugs monologues that are so fun to listen to. ("I will now speak the words that I must be speaking to you, for these are the words I will speak until they are spoken..." or whatever).

This is a minor complaint. The girls have to have an arch-nemesis, and to throw Mojo Jojo into the mix (voice of Roger L. Jackson-- a genius) is the best possible choice, like when Batman fought the Joker in the original Tim Burton classic. All other villains pale by comparison.

"PPG" doesn't talk down to kids, nor does it make adults feel like they've wasted their time sitting through this-- like just about every Disney film has that I've seen in the last 2 years. Too bad it didn't get marketed like a real movie.... many people are missing a real treat.

Here's hoping the girls never grow up.... but if they do, I hope I marry one like Buttercup. She kicks butt.

10/10

1st watched 7/5/2002 - 6 out of 10(Dir-Craig McCracken): Different and interesting animated movie based on the cult-like girl-followed popular television show on the cartoon network. The movie is the story of how they came to be and how they decided to fight crime and evil in Townsville after their first harmless kindergarten game of tag destroyed the town. There is a good message behind this silly superhero story despite the much-publicized violent content. Yes, there is violent content and the evil that they face is `very' evil, but you can't help but love the well-intentioned `Professor' trying to be a parent to these over-achiever kindergartner's and his attempt to make them good little girls made of sugar, and spice and everything nice despite their super-human strengh. Bravo for this very un-Disney like entry by the Cartoon Network!!

I'll admit it. I am an adult and I LIKE the Powerpuff Girls. It's a cute show and if my kids want to see it, I'll usually stick around and watch it, too. However, I was very worried about going to see this movie, as MOST TV cartoons translate terribly to the big screen. After seeing this movie, I found that my original thoughts were pretty much on target. The main problem is this--a 15 to 30 minute cartoon is fine, but stretching it and making it something it ISN'T is a very bad idea. If some Hollywood idiot ever thought about doing an Itchy and Scratchy movie, it would be the same--the momentum just CAN'T be maintained. My advice? Watch the Cartoon Network or buy one of their tapes made up of TV episodes.

PS--even my kids didn't like this movie!