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*** THE ADVENTURES OF ELMO IN GROUCHLAND (1999). Elmo, that pilly red urchin with the insatiable tickle fetish, is in Grouchland because his beloved blue blanket has flown off into that fetid, garbage-strewn netherworld. Obstacles abound in the form of greedy villain Mandy Patinkin, but Elmo (voiced by Kevin Clash), joined by fellow Sesame Street denizens Big Bird, Oscar, and the requisite tuneful, high-serotonin grown-ups, learns much about perseverance, bravery, and sharing. Gary Halvorson's interactive film strikes a pleasing balance of self-reflexive irreverence (there are passing jabs at Starbucks, Doctor Zhivago, and Sharon Stone) and inspired whimsy that's shown to best advantage in the lesson-laced musical numbers. Elmo and his trusty blanket, it seems, have everything covered.

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Hoyts Cinemaeast Providence 10