Leofwine_draca An attempt to replicate the success of the 1920s - 1940s film series for modern audiences, THE LITTLE RASCALS is a lamentable enterprise which has completely the wrong look and tone. I admit freely that I didn't laugh a single time. This is merely a badly-acted, over the top production that utilises stupid special effects and child actors with little to no discernable talent. All of the warmth and charisma of the original stars is missing in these cheap imitators. The plot is merely a string of gags ripped off from the original short films, none of which are funny. I suppose most people will only be interested in it today for the Donald Trump cameo. It's a good example of everything that was wrong with 1990s-era Hollywood comedy.

ironhorse_iv In the 1990s, it seems like every major movie studio in Hollywood, was making remakes of classic adventures TV shows about neighborhood kids from mid-1930s to the late 1960s. Some of them, were minor hits; others were horrible retellings like 1993's 'Dennis the Menace'. However, the majority of them, fall between all-time best great & super awful. 1994's 'Little Rascals' is one, such mediocre film. The movie directed by Penelope Spheeris was a little too bog down on nostalgia; that it felt like a series of various sketches, oddly cobbled together, in a paper-thin set up about Spanky McFarland (Travis Tedford) trying to sabotage, one of his members, Alfalfa Switzer (Bug Hall)'s relationship with Darla Hood (Brittany Ashton Holmes), in order to get him, focus back on track, on winning the local go-cart derby race. It just doesn't mesh well. Plus, all of the sketches really does slow the pacing of the movie, down. A good example is all the scenes of the gang trying to make money, in order to rebuild their burn down clubhouse like the bank & freak-show scenes. None of those sequences were really that funny, nor makes any of much sense with the main plot; seeing how the gang have enough material to build another go-cart, yet not enough for a clubhouse. Honestly, the driving force of the plot could had been simple down to the idea, that the race had a prize money, all-along. It would save the movie, a lot of time. Also, as much as I love the ballet & soap singing scenes, those moments weren't really needed. It does feel a bit forced. It could had been cut, if Universal really wanted it, like they did with their VHS & DVD releases; when it came down to other scenes. Many of these versions, are so unlike the original movie, we saw in theaters. However, most of them, works better in watchable. Don't get me wrong, I do like seeing the familiar of sight gags and slapstick situations, taken straight from the original series of comedy short films produced by Hal Roach from 1922 to 1944, even if its bit sexism & anti-homosexual. However, I do wish they add more uniqueness with them. Some of the humor seem a bit repetitive, recycled & outdated. Even, when they did try something new, like updating the source material to a modern setting background. It still came across as somewhat jarring, because how the children is dressed in 1930s style of clothing. If anything, the movie should had, kept the 1930s settlings, just add new jokes to counteract, scenes, mirroring shorts like 1937's 'Hearts are Thumps & 1939's 'Auto Antics'. Furthermore, the movie should add more scenes of the children acting like themselves, rather than imitating adult. Lots of the big wordy dialogue given here, sounds so unnatural, coming from the mouth of a small child. I kinda wish, the movie gave them, simpler sentences to speak. This film really lacks the raw nuances of child performers acting like real children. Nevertheless, not all things, about this film, were bad. I do like how the cast is more integrated and less racist than the original. Also, the main actors were not that bad. Bug Hall & Travis Tedford were born for these roles. There are also some great cameos from Reba McEntire, Mel Brooks, and Lea Thompson to name a few. Even the sight of future president, Donald Trump wasn't that bad. Nevertheless, I would love to see, more cameos from past 'Little Rascals' alumnus, like Jackie Cooper, Eugene Jackson & Robert Blake in minor roles in this film. Sadly, this movie was lacking some of those. However, the movie makes it up with action set pieces with great stunt work. The Go-Kart race was somewhat compelling to watch, even if it's a bit over the top. Also, the soundtrack by composer, William Ross that goes with it, and most of the movie, really does seem like it came from yesteryear. It's beautiful to listen to. In short, while, 1994's 'Little Rascals' will never outdo the original short films from the 1930s/1940s. It does beat 1936's 'General Spanky' & 2014's 'The Little Rascals Save the Day' in being a better 'Our Gang' film. Overall: Watching a kid movie like this is like watching a blender without a lid. It's messy, but it's cool to witness. I highly recommended seeing the film. I kid you not.

michellecampbell246 Granted, more than half of the children were terrible actors. Most of them sounded coached and rehearsed, the movements were for the most part awkward and very unnatural, and some of them even looked into the camera throughout most of the movie. But that's what made it relatable to Us children of the '90s. It was definitely a spin off of the "Our Gang" serious from the Depression Era, however it was made to be modern with a few familiar twists. They were '90s Kids doing what Kids do! Just like the 'Our Gang' children were Kids doing Kid things from that era!Even though there were some copies from the original in the movie, it was all in good fun. Remember, it is a CHILDREN/family movie. I grew up watching both 'The Little Rascals' and 'Our Gang' and I don't think that the Little Rascals "disgraced" 'Our Gang' in any way whatsoever. Yes, there were similarities and some "copy catting," but so what? It is after all a Children's movie about Children doing things that Children like to do in their time frame. I didn't try to get too elaborate or lengthy with this because I'm simply defending the simplicity and innocence of the movie from old cranky grown ups & sell outs.

Brian Spall Although, so do I!!! I've done a lot of research about the 'Our Gang' shorts and this updated version comprises of numerous stories from 'Our Gang' rolled into one.My kid (now 3) watches on a regular basis and has me in stitches when he repeats some of the catch phrases. It's a film that parents would love to, such is the childish humour.I would have liked to have seen more 'out-takes' from the film as I know how funny kids can be! But the story line, cast and famous faces in the crowd (see Whoopi and Trump) bring the film to a whole new level.Can anyone recommend me a UK equivalent?