Rascal

About as Disney as you can get, "Rascal" is the story about a boy and his raccoon. We've seen it before: a boy takes in a wild animal, animal causes mischief, neighbors blame animal and get mad at kid, and by the end of the film the boy must release the animal back into the wild.

But in today's deluge of computer generated craziness, this quiet little bit of Americana stands out as authentic and full of heart. I was actually worried that the pace was too slow for my kids as the movie started, but was pleasantly surprised to see them all enthralled by 5 minutes in.

While the main plot of Rascal is entertaining enough, there is also a subplot about a free-spirited dad realizing his growing boy's need for his involvement. Dads sensitive to the topics discussed on this blog will appreciate the realization the father makes.

Overall, a great family movie to watch and enjoy. I rented it through NetFlix, but it seems to be available for purchase as well.

Rascal