Customer Reviews

Phantom Tollbooth [VHS]

5 star:		(39)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(9)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

"The Phantom Tollbooth" is the magnum opus of all involved--that's saying a lot--considering it is co-directed by animator Chuck Jones and stars the very talented Butch Patrick (who was featured in "Pressure Point" and "A Child is Waiting"; as well as a regular on "The Munsters").

"Tollbooth" is not only a film for the whole family, but is actually GOOD for the entire family. Some features will teach children that academics are important, this piece of entertainment goes beyond that and teaches that being a human being is important.

Despite what some critics have written--the songs are awesome and the storyline is very entertaining!

I remember when I first viewed this movie, having never had heard of the book or such a concept. I guess I was young then and wasn't expected to know anything about it anyhow, but I did remember enough so that I was on a three year search trying to find the Phantom Tollbooth...finally I realized the magic of the Internet. The Phantom Tollbooth is not only an educational film, inbreeding knowledgeable information through adventures experienced with Milo in Digitopolis, Dictionopolis, the Land of Expectations and the Castle in the Air, but also it is enjoyable to watch and be submerged in. It definitely is on my top ten list of movies, and I think it always will be. Chuck Jones's masterpiece is really a movie everyone, young and old, should own and love.

The Phantom Tollbooth is a wonderful flick that I always enjoyed as a child. Now, as an elementary school teacher, I constantly search for videos that differ from the standard Disney cartoon. I was concerned that the cinematic style of this picture would seemed too dated for 90s kids, but I was wrong. My class thoroughly enjoyed the animation and the songs. The characters appealed to the children's own experiences in fourth grade. They understood Milo's struggles with writng and divsion, and enjoyed seeing their schoolwork come to life in such a silly manner. It turned out to be a great way for kids to see why school is important. This movie isn't just smart, it's also a really good time. I can't praise it enough.

This movie is a wonderful family film. A little boy named Milo that is bored with his life suddenly finds a tollbooth in his room. He heads through the tollbooth into a world where nothing makes any sense. He goes through the Doldrums where he meets a watchdog named Tock, goes to Dictionopilous, Digitopilous and the Mountains of Ignorance. Just like the book, the monsters are taken from some real-life people and attitudes. The songs could be better, but I look at them fondly. I remember watching this movie and taping it from the cartoon network, but they unfortunatley stopped showing it. When I saw I could buy it again, I had to tell everybody what a great movie this is.

My husband and I adore this movie. I grew up on it and we hoped to have it around for our kids. Now our tape copy is wearing out and we find that a dvd isn't available! Please help send word to the studios that these types of family shows are exactly what people what today. And if you can, see this movie. I think you'll know why it is so special to us.

This is a wonderful movie I am only 14 but this is probably my all time favorite movie and I like movies like american pie and Van wylder so its not like im only exposed to this genre. The movie is great while getting some education in on the side. It's also a good buy because you will want to watch it over and over again.

The first thing to keep in mind is that the book was aimed at "ages 7 to 77," as the old slogan went, but the movie is aimed at ages 7 to 10, maybe, with only a few nods towards anyone older than that.

This is still a terrific film for its intended age group. It's not perfect; a few too many times thoughtful solutions to problems from the book were replaced with slapstick, the film stops dead every time it hits a song, and the ending was radically changed -- and that last was a huge, gasping mistake, because it removes the original story's catharsis. On the other hand, some of the visualizations are wonderful; the Lethargians and Digitopolis are drawn with wonderful insight.

I'd advise, though, presenting this movie to children as a companion to the book after they've already read it, not as a replacement and not by itself.

Additional note: freed from the yoke of established characters, Chuck Jones absolutely let his imagination run free here, the result sometimes approaching Tim Burton levels of surreality. Animation aficionados of any age should seek this film out for that alone.

As a child I enjoyed this movie immensely. I recognized some of the educational stuff that was mixed in, but would never had described it as "educational" because it was so silly and fun. Only as an adult to I appreciate all the subtle, intelligent humor, but I still enjoy it just as much. It has some good messages, too. I'm so glad to many older movies are making it to DVD, and I hope this one will soon join the ranks

This is a movie that has wonderful songs, animation and scenes that you will remember and want to see over and over again. It teaches and morals and how you need rhyme and reason. I should know that you would remember the scenes because I saw the movie four years ago and haven't scene it since yet still remember the music, scenes and songs. As a result of my memories I was urged to purchase it for my birthday gift because its simply a movie I have to have. I can't say enough about it. It definitely is a movie for all ages, young and old alike.

this film is the best film ever.it explains life in the most basic form from a magical comical perspective.hauntingly beautiful and deeply provocative.watch it.(on drugs)