User reviews

One of those movies I remember being a huge fan of when I was very little. And I am... definitely too old for nowadays.

This is technically one of those movies about a stranger that blows into a conservative town and teaches everyone to loosen up and let go of their inhibitions. Except now it's a kids movie about a chaotic little girl so unstoppable she's basically magic.

It's an extremely, extremely simple movie, full of actors trying to do their best impressions of living cartoon characters. It's over an hour of kids just... playing around, upsetting adults, and defying just about every physical and natural law on earth.

It's not the worst idea, but it's a lot of fluff. And I mean a lot. It goes down a lot easier when you're younger.

And the thing is, my memories from being a kid lead me to remember a lot more about the first half of the movie than the second half, because eventually it realizes it's run out of road. The last 20-30 minutes are practically a completely separate movie.

I may have been a bit bored, but honestly, I can't be too upset about it. It's not Pippi's fault. I'm hardly this movie's target audience anymore, and at the bare minimum, it's nice to revisit these memories. There was a version of me that loved this movie, and it's good to get in touch with that once in a while.

There are many possible reactions to this curious adaptation of Astrid Lindgren's classic children's books, with most reactions being a bit polarized on the "liked it" or "hated it" scale. This review will hopefully be a non-polarized summary for those who are interested in finding out more about this movie.

This adaptation is true to the spirit of Lindgren's books (though it is set in America rather than Sweden), faithfully recreating the plucky, wildly pigtailed Pippi Longstocking and her endearing anarchy at the Villa Villekulla, complete with her horse, her monkey, her gold coins, her "whopper" tales, her superhuman strength, and her constant besting of adults. Though a bit old-looking for the role of a (supposedly) nine-year-old girl, Tami Erin does manage to capture Pippi's spunk, mischief, and childlike appeal.

The curious aspect of the film comes in the form of its incongruously modern-sounding songs, playing against a 1950s backdrop (though the songs are quite catchy), as well as a slightly choppy narrative, with several abrupt scene changes that make certain sections of the movie seem somewhat incomplete. There is a silly, cartoon-style feel to parts of the movie, though other parts are quite amusing.

It is a G-rated movie in the first sense, with absolutely nothing inappropriate (though do keep in mind that Pippi can do anything she wants, including climbing all over the roof of her house), and its fine supporting cast of adults include Dennis Dugan as the ever-exasperated father of neighbors Tommy and Annika, John Schuck as Pippi's father, and Eileen Brennan, who is her usual hilarious self as the stuffy head of the orphanage.

The most curious thing about this film is that, in spite of its little oddities, you find yourself feeling quite happy when the film is over. I was eight years old when the movie came out in 1988, and I absolutely adored it at the time. After all, Pippi gets to do all the things that children wish they could do if they knew they could get away with it. Though there is a slight 80s quality to the film, it seems to hold up fairly well, and can still be seen on video shelves at major retail stores, which says something about its appeal these decades later. It is a children's film (as opposed to a family film), which means it will greatly appeal to, of course, children. . .or children-at-heart. But since that is the essence of Pippi herself, then the film seems to hit the mark.

While I freely admit that this is not technically a great movie, I like it. I liked the music and Pippi's bravery. It's not meant to be watched critically, witha fine-tooth comb.

When I watch it, I feel ten years old again, and that's what it's all about. :)

This is another North East Florida production, filmed mainly in and near by to Fernandina Beach and the Kingsley Plantation. I was rather surprised the company was able to take over the main street of Fernandina Beach as long as was necessary to achieve the street scenes. The film is pretty, and pretty bad. Tami Erin is cute, but overacts. Eileen Brennan overacts even more. Good for small kids, or for those who like fluff in large doses. A 4 from the Miller-Movies formula.

I remember seeing this one 12 years ago, I loved it (I think it was my favorite movie) Of course I was only 5 or 6 but then again thats the age group the film was made for.

id really like to get my hands on this one for nostalgic reasons but its just to old.

Kiddy movie about a spirited redhead named Pippi Longstocking who's separated from her sea captain father in a storm and comes to live in a small town. There she introduces the kids to her madcap ways while dealing with stuffy adults and some thieves. Okay this is meant for kids and only kids, so let's keep that in mind before ripping it apart. I know it's corny and cheesy and I can't say that I enjoyed it very much, but I think I might have if I had seen it when I was a child. I am old enough to have seen this when it was first released but, for some reason, I didn't. Truth is I forgot this movie even existed until recently catching it on TV. The cast all does fine, particularly Tami Erin as Pippi. Not recognizing her, I looked at her other roles and saw this was the biggest part in her limited acting career. I also saw that she did a sex tape a few years ago. I can only imagine that is either deeply disturbing or extremely exciting to people who were fans of her back in the day. Aside from Tami, there's some solid support from vets like Eileen Brennan, Dick Van Patten, and John Schuck. There are also many songs in this but none is more catchy than the theme song that's repeated throughout the movie. I want to warn you in advance, this song will find a corner of your brain to inhabit and it will be impossible to get it out. Overall, it's a fun little movie that will play better to pre-teen girls than anybody else. Just be prepared that it's pretty sugary and corny. Oh, and that theme song will stay in your brain forever.

It's funny I see adults come in and rip a movie like this. They rip kids cartoons, and kids movies as being "unrealistic and insane and cheesy", well HELLO it's for freaking kids! They didn't make it for some 25 or older person who wants to complain about every kids movie! I watched this movie when I was 12 and I REALLY enjoyed it! The different "magical" stunts they did, the music (I loved the music) and the likes. Still a good movie for kids of today. As long as you're 12 or under you'll enjoy this movie.

When they were growing up, my kids latched onto this film. They probably watched it thirty times. I could hear it in the background until the tunes were stuck in my head. It is a musical with songs that are not all that sophisticated. The story is simplistic. But it is for kids. Pippi is played by a young lady named Tami Erin. She does a decent job as the weird daughter of a sea captain that has arrived at an old house, along with a horse and a monkey. Of course, she gravitates toward the neighbor kids whose parents immediately see her as a bad influence. She is a child, living a world of rules and regulations. Soon the cold blooded authorities swoop in. It's all pretty formula but there are nice scenes and she does kind of sparkle.

This movie . . . I don't know. Why they would take such an indellible character as Pippi Longstocking and cast the singularly charmless Tami Erin, I will never know. Why they would spend money on art direction and some not-all-that-bad special effects, then not bother to edit it properly, I will never know. Why the sets and costumes are sometimes in period, and sometimes bizarrely not, why they commissioned SUCH bad songs, why the script doesn't make any sense whatsoever (not even on a silly, children's film level) . . . . what were they thinking?? Nothing about this movie is quite as it should be. Every single part is dubbed (and always poorly,) every sound effect is slightly wrong, every edit is in the wrong place, every performance is bad in some way. It does manage to create an appropriate atmosphere, despite all the problems, but it NEVER captures the magic that is Astrid Lindgren's creation.

I'm a 59 yr old man who watched this movie with his grandkids. We all enjoyed it immensely.

It had everything it should have for a movie that was based on fantastic events. A little girl who had super natural powers, a sea captain ( her father) who was the king of a cannibal tribe, a horse who to some extent could talk, at least well enough that Pipi could umderstand him.

There was also a flying motorcycle, and a flying machine that Pipi powered by twirling around with a broom.

I wouldn't have enjoyed it near as much, had my grand kids not been there to ooh, ahh, and giggle, at what was taking place. It was a very enjoyable movie, and well worth spending my time watching. If you have kids to watch it with, it will be that much more enjoyable.

Pippilotta Longstocking is a preteen daughter of a Pirate who sails around the World. As Pippi explains, there's only about 8 places she hasn't seen. But, one day, a storm blows Pippi and the boat away from her father and their temporary port of call. She decides to head to their hometown and the old house the family has owned for a long time. Kids believe the house is haunted, it's been empty for ages. Soon, neighbor kids Tommy and Annika discover Pippi and make friends. She shows them lots of new games, like scrubbing the floor in special shoes. Also, they give out ice cream to the children at the orphanage. Most of the parents are appalled with Pippi, her pets, and her lack of supervision. The head of the children's home - Eileen Brennan - sends men to bring Pippi to the place she runs. But, as Pippi is far stronger and smarter than the average child, she eludes capture. Will her father come to find her? This film, based on the outstanding Swedish author Astrid Lindgrens books.for kids, is acceptable viewing for families. Pippi has a unique look with her freckles and protruding braids while her zany actions make for laughs. But, if you watch it, be sure to extend the pleasure by getting the books and reading them together. The books are classics while this flick is just ok.

This appalling film somehow saw the light of day in 1988. It looks and sounds as if it had been produced 20 or 30 years earlier, and features some of the worst songs ever included in a major motion picture. I weep for the parents and children who paid top dollar to see this.

This movies is great fun for kids considering some of the garbage that is on tv these days. The kids love Pippi's outlook on life and her dream in believing that you can do what you set your heart on. She is a girl who believes in herself and looks for the good in others. Kids could do worse.

What a horrible thing to do with Astrid Lingrens work.

The actors are 4th grade amateurs. It hurts my stomach to hear them read the script. Because that's what it sounds like. Unlike the earlier Swedish productions. They were kinda amateurs, but did a great job. I hope no one ever insults Astrid (and Pippi) again. And the singing is horrible. The songs are forgettable at best. I am trying to find the originals dubbed. That must be much better. Shame on you for making this horrible thing.

Americanizing things isn't always a good thing. How come they always think "We can do it better" It rarely is.

I remember seeing this when I was eight years old and at the time I really liked this film. Kids today I'm sure will still appreciate the zany antics of the pigtailed troublemaker. It's a typical kiddie film but it's something that parents may not might mind watching with the kids unlike say Barney the Dinosaur or Teletubbies. -BKJ

'The New Adventures of Pippi Longstocking' is a film starring the popular Pippi, a fun-loving girl who tries to see the good in everything around her and have fun. It has been a long time since I saw this film, but I did like it when I was younger. It was not my favourite, but I thought that it was fun because Pippi is very enthusiastic about life and it is a generally feel-good children's film. I last watched this film when I was about eight-years-old. I think that children around that age will enjoy the film as it is upbeat but a generally good film about a fun-loving girl hero with a positive outlook on life.

Just finished watching Jewel of the Nile and before I could shut off the TV and go to bed at a semi-reasonable hour, Pippi came on. Somehow, I got sucked into the movie and now over here to IMDB. Maybe it was the catchy tunes or wanting to find out if the cute kids in the movie ever went on to star in anything noteworthy (none did, except the head girl who I didn't like).

I'm in my 30s, have no kids, and have never read the books or seen any other Pippi books. Guess what? I enjoyed it a lot! Sure. It's goofy, doesn't always make sense, is anachronistic at times, and is not serious cinematography. But I liked it.

The music was cheerful, the songs were uplifting and arguably one of the best parts of the movie. The kids were great, too. It's sad that the actress playing Pippi didn't go on to do more work (especially if it had been more age-appropriate... hard to imagine she was only 10). She did a really fine job. I also got a kick out of seeing Dick Van Patten in his bit part.

The monkey was probably the worst actor in the film, but since they probably paid him peanuts (and bananas), they probably didn't waste any money.

The flying machine was totally unrealistic, but it IS a kids movie. The cleaning of the floors was probably the best scene in the movie.

It was just good clean fun that I would be happy to let my kids watch (if I had any), and the songs are WAY better than Barney's. :-) People who object to the film have just left their childhood senses of wonder long behind. They don't believe Pippi when she says that you can do just about anything if you believe in it.

I'll be the first to admit that this film is light-hearted and often silly. After all, the Pippi books are silly and light-hearted, so why shouldn't a movie version be? The character of Pippi is a great character study for kids: She is imaginative, creative, confident and above all, a good-willed and courteous child. Anyone who expects her and the stories she stars in to be methodical depictions of the serious side of life should re-examine his/her life and priorities. Maybe then the detractors will realize that life can be fun, at all ages.

I highly recommend this film for any family with children. This is a top quality production that is great for the whole family to watch! Anyone who I have ever met who has seen this movie loves it, and children who have it on VHS or DVD watch it over and over again. I only wish it was re-released theatrically, so that this generation of children could have the opportunity to see it and embrace it the way I did when I was a child.

This movie contains all the necessary elements that make up a great movie. The storyline - it's about Pippi!, that's enough! The Americans succeeded not only in translating Astrid's wonderful creation, but made changes and improvements also. Since I never heard of Astrid objecting, we can assume that she was in agreement. Fine acting, most notably Branscombe Ricmond who, according to my sources, was given a starring role in the hit TV series "Renegade" largely because of the skills he demonstrated in this Pippi movie. Special Effects - Though never elaborated upon, Pippi is possessed of superhuman physical powers. She can, for example, lift persons and horses that outweigh her in multiples, dry herself and fly by some sort of self induced centrifugal force! Fine directing - Mr Annakin seems to keep things on track. There's even innuendos, Pippi proclaims that she "...loves men in uniforms, but policemen are the best!" Fine music - catchy tunes throughout the movie which have often been emulated in other movies. It has been said that Tami Erin could have sang the title song as Inger had in the original Pippi movies, but the powers that were wanted her to concentrate solely upon her acting role, except for shorter tunes which did not require as much diversion. And finally mystery - Tami Erin, our star, for reasons still unknown, was never heard from again. This movie is worth watching over and over again.

It seems like I'm one of the few Americans who read translations of the Pippi Longstocking books, AND saw this movie as a kid. At this point, I can't remember what came first for me, the books or the movies, but I will say that as a child, I enjoyed both.

Pippi is a GREAT character in literature, I could consider her arguably one of the greatest female characters ever created.

She's strong, she's independent, she's fun, intelligent and gifted.

What girl WOULDN'T want to be like Pippi? I know that reading about her as a little girl, I was endlessly jealous of Tommy and Annika who got Pippi as a playmate. I wished she'd move next door to me.

This movie doesn't do such a great job of translating the Pippi character. She seems less creative and imaginative, and more crazy and dim. There's something about the character of Pippi that is lacking in the movie and the movie loses a lot because of that.

But Pippi aside, the movie isn't ALL bad. It's a late 80's kids movie with cheesy special effects, poor acting, and a silly story. But through all this, it is still enjoyable. The situations that Pippi and Tommy and Annika get in are still fun, and it's a good movie for young kids. If you do show this movie to your kids though, be sure to buy them the books afterwards and show them what Pippi is REALLY like. This movie is a good starting point to get kids introduced to the great character of Pippi.

Someone loosed an ancient redheaded demon named Pipi Longstocking. Her powers come from her ginger mane. She has super strength, flight, teleportation and illusion. If Pipi comes to your town RUN. CHAOS IS HERE!