Fat Albert (2004): Dir: Joel Zwick / Cast: Kenan Thompson, Kyla Pratt, Dania Ramirez, Bill Cosby, Keith Robinson: "Hey, hey, hey! It's Fat Albert on the big screen." Based upon characters created by Bill Cosby centering on a big guy with a big heart. When refused invitation to a party at school young Kyla Pratt goes home and watches Fat Albert but when a tear hits the remote control the characters suddenly emerge. This concept never works because the transformation from one world to another is taken so lightly. The longer they remain in reality the more their color will fade. Simple formula yet director Joel Zwick asks questions about adapting from one world to another. Zwick previously made the hilarious My Big Fat Greek Wedding, which ignored clichés and exploded with grand humour. Here he goes in the total opposite direction quality wise. With Fat Albert he has a great concept regarding the two worlds but a lousy screenplay to express them. Kenan Thompson embodies the personality of Fat Albert and his buddies look every bit like reality cartoon characters. Pratt's tears on the remote thing just doesn't cut it. She will obviously gain friends and it lacks real feeling. Darnia Ramirez plays the standard flirty sister. Bill Cosby makes a brief appearance. The reality fantasy theme is intriguing but fat chance that it fascinates like Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Score: 4 ½ / 10
Review of Fat Albert
