Bebe's Kids

Having comedians routines turned into either movies or TV series has become big business in recent years, some have become quite successful and others have failed. With this film we’re shown the animated world created from Robin Harris’ routine about Bebe’s kids, a group of rambunctious kids that seem to be able to get away with just about anything. Even though Harris died before the project really got going, the skillful talents of Faizon Love, as Robin, Bruce Smith, as director, and Reginald and Warrington Hudlin, producing, bring the world of Bebe’s Kids to life for all of us to enjoy.
Robin tries to get to know Jamika a little better, which means he has to survive the day with Jamika’s son and the three children that she’s watching for a friend. With the voice over talent, which includes Tone Loc and Nell Carter, gathered here the fun begins with the opening scenes and carries all the way to the very end. The animation isn’t CGI so that it has a feel for the old school cartoons, with the mannerisms of the characters and the environments that they live in. Some very modern day issues are discussed throughout the story and are done in such a way that it leaves the audience laughing but also leaves you with a sense of conscience about the issues.
It’s a shame that Harris died before he was able to see his creation come to life, this fun and entertaining film opens a door on a way of life that we’re only exposed to briefly. I’ve enjoyed this movie repeatedly over the years and I think it’s aged rather well, some of the issues that are discussed in the film are still current problems and with an animated spin on it their a little easier to swallow. Even though it’s rated PG-13 I think that the entertainment for the most part is family oriented, and may actually start the family talking about the world around them.