Newsies

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Newsies ★½ 1992 (PG)

An unfortunate attempt at an old-fashioned musical with a lot of cute kids and cardboard characters and settings. The plot, such as it is, concerns the 1899 New York newsboys strike against penny-pinching publisher Joseph Pulitzer. Bale plays the newsboy's leader and at least shows some charisma in a strictly cartoon setting. The songs are mediocre but the dancing is lively. However, none of it moves the story along. Add a bone for viewers under 12. Choreographer Ortega's feature-film directorial debut. 121m/C VHS, DVD . Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Robert Duvall, Ann-Margret, Michael Lerner, Kevin Tighe, Charles Cioffi, Luke Edwards, Max Casella, David Moscow; D: Kenny Ortega; W: Bob Tzudiker; C: Noni White; M: Alan Menken, Jack Feldman. Golden Raspberries ‘92: Worst Song (“High Times, Hard Times”).

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