‘High School,’ talking dogs bring family fun

This season’s family films have their share of talking animals, including a TV dog (John Travolta), a lion (Ben Stiller) who gets stuck in Africa and even a cynical bunny (Steve Buscemi). But the live action fare looks a bit more compelling with monster tween hit, “High School Musical” heading to the big screen, and an imaginative adventure about an underground city about to lose its light. So get out the car seats, because, parents, there are movies in your future.

“High School Musical 3: Senior Year”

Video   ‘High School Musical 3: Senior Year’: Oct. 24 As they get ready to go to different colleges, Troy (Zac Efron) and brainy beauty Gabriella (Vanessa Hudgens) join with friends to produce a spring musical.

Starring: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Lucas Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Director: Kenny Ortega
Story: The wildly popular Disney franchise movies to the big screen for its third musical adventure. As they head toward graduation, Troy (Efron) and Gabriella (Hudgens) struggle with the idea of being separated from each other for college. In the meantime, the kids decide to put on an elaborate spring musical that reflects their fears and hopes for the future.
One to watch? If you’re a fan, why not? It will be interesting to see if those kids who got the first two films at home for free will come out and lay down their cash for this one. Disney president of production Oren Aviv told Entertainment Weekly that the fans “are rabid and they are loyal. But they need to see the goods.” Efron added, “Overall, the tone of the movie is much more grown-up. You're watching the kids from ‘High School Musical’ turn into adults.”
Web site:  http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/highschoolmusical3/
Release date: Oct. 24

“Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa”

Video   'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa': Nov. 7 Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe and Gloria the Hippo are back, and they're ready to go home to New York. But their penguin-piloted plane may not get them there. Buena Vista Pictures

Starring:  Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Sacha Baron Cohen, Cedric the Entertainer
Director:  Eric Darnell, Tom McGrath
Story: Still stranded in Madagascar, Alex the Lion (Stiller), Marty the Zebra (Rock), Melman the Giraffe (Schwimmer) and Gloria the Hippo (Pinkett Smith) decide to head back to New York on plane flown by their penguin pals. But the plan backfires when they crash land in Africa. There, for the first time, they encounter species of their own kind and realize how different life in the zoo was.
One to watch? If you liked the first one, this will most likely be more of the same. The entire cast is back along with directors Darnell and McGrath. McGrath told Entertainment Weekly, “We were trying to do something bigger and better.” Word is that the plot will focus on Stiller coming in contact with some of his family in Africa. Bernie Mac voices a lion in one of his last performances.
Web site:  http://www.madagascarmovie.com/
Release date: Nov. 7

“Igor”

Video   ‘Igor’: Sept. 19 The classic horror sidekick Igor (John Cusack) wants his chance in the spotlight, and when his cruel master dies suddenly, it’s his chance to win the Evil Science Fair.

Starring: John Cusack, Steve Buscemi, John Cleese, Jennifer Coolidge, Arsenio Hall, Sean Hayes
Director: Tony Leondis
Story: The classic horror sidekick Igor (Cusack) wants his chance in the spotlight, and when his cruel master dies suddenly, it’s his chance to win the Evil Science Fair with help from his two pals: a brain in a jar called Brain (Sean Hayes) and cynical bunny Scamper (Buscemi). But then the three discover an evil plot, and it’s up to them to prove that even Igors can be heroes.
One to watch? Looks iffy. It’s a cute idea that comes from “Family Guy” writer Chris McKenna, but it doesn’t seem all that different in concept than “Shrek” — sort of the Halloween version. Buscemi, who did a great voice in “Monsters, Inc.”, should be the standout here.
Web site: http://www.igor-movie.com/
Release date: Sept. 19

“City of Ember”

Video   ‘City of Ember’: Oct. 10 Two teens attempt to solve an ancient mystery in time to prevent their illuminated city from being swallowed by darkness in this family adventure.

Starring: Bill Murray, Tim Robbins, Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, Martin Landau
Director: Gil Kenan
Story: The City of Ember is an underground city lit by glimmering lights, but now the power generator is starting to falter and the lights begin to flicker. It’s up to two teens (Ronan, Treadway) to unlock the mystery of the city’s existence and help the townspeople escape before the lights go out. Based on Jeanne Duprau’s novel. Murray co-stars as the Mayor of Ember.
One to watch? Yes. Director Kenan is the man behind the very good kid’s film “Monster’s House” and here he creates an almost “Brazil”-like world. Kenan told About.com, “A lot of the work that I and (screenwriter) Caroline Thompson have done has been in taking something that’s purely a word-based mystery and puzzle-solving and making it visual and epic.” He added, “It’s a city that’s a character in every way, other than being physically alive. It’s got a heart that beats; it’s got a weak heart that needs one last push. It’s got a nerve center, brain. Every single character in this film is defined by their relationship to this city, either past, present, or future.” Looks like an inventive story.
Web site: http://www.cityofember.com/
Release date: Oct. 10

“Bolt”

Video   ‘Bolt’: Nov. 26 John Travolta is the voice of Bolt, the canine star of a hit TV show who believes he has the superpowers of his small-screen alter-ego.

Starring: John Travolta, Miley Cyrus, Susie Essman, Mark Walton
Director: Chris Williams, Byron Howard
Story: Bolt (Travolta) is a dog who’s the star of his own TV show, but he actually believes he has his character’s superpowers. When he is accidentally shipped to New York, he must try to get back to his co-star and friend Suzy (Cyrus) with help from a cat (Essman) and a hamster (Walton). But can he do it without his superpowers? 
One to watch? Maybe. Note: this is a Disney Animation feature, not a Pixar movie. You can tell by the big names doing the voices. The film had a bumpy road to the big screen. “Lilo & Stich” director Chris Sanders was originally set to direct, but, according to the New York Times, was forced out by John Lasseter for not taking his story suggestions. Directors Williams and Howard make their feature debut.
Web site: http://disney.go.com/disneypictures/bolt/
Release date: Nov. 21

Best of the rest: Family films “Beverly Hills Chihuahua” (Oct. 3) In this live-action film, a pampered Chihuahua (voiced by Drew Barrymore) gets lost while on vacation in Mexico and must rely on her friends to get her back home.

Note: Dates are subject to change.

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