Recess: School's Out

This Disney make-over of a kids' TV cartoon series offers no cinematic surprises, and plainly strains by imposing upon itself a preposterous save the world adventure. Yet its well characterised comedy of playground manners and teasing social awareness rings confidently through. The sole flashy effect is an opening CGI 'helicopter' zoom into the urban, mixed race playground of Third Street Junior, where reverse-capped, freckled hero TJ realises that everyone but him is going to camp for summer vacation. So big deal! Meanwhile, a reformed-hippie former principal (hilariously voiced by Woods), embittered by his holiday-shortening plans being thwarted, has set up a laser machine in Third Street to alter Earth's orbit - it could happen! - and TJ has to recall the gang to fight the foe. The under-11s nostalgia ('This is the last summer we will get to do stuff!') catches the throat, and Marvin Gaye, Nilsson and Hendrix play on the soundtrack. That'll educate 'em.