

Danny Glover also does a good job with the ever slow-but-steady quality that characterizes Walter Tortoise. Jay Leno nails the arrogant and humorous personality Murray Hare brings to the table.


The surprising cast does a great job portraying the characters. I have to say, this is a well-made movie. If they can get Murray and Walter to work together, they may all survive the dangers of this race. As the two teams race and the rivals continue bickering, both Butch and Crystal get along fast after quickly looking over their differences and their fathers' rivalry. When the opportunity arrives in the form of the parent-child Nature Adventure Race, Murray challenges Walter to a rematch, which the tortoise agrees to, and both drag their kids, nerdy Butch Hare (Drake Bell) and sassy Crystal Tortoise (Keke Palmer), along for the ride. Murray Hare (Jay Leno) had to live with his humiliation of losing to a slowpoke for years while Walter Tortoise (Danny Glover) gets to bask in wealth and glory. Interestingly, this movie's story actually takes place after the classic race. The Jim Henson Company of all people took it upon themselves to bring to life the world that the fairly tales' greatest rivals live in as a CG family film. Strangely, there's never been a film adaptation, understandably due to the short plot. The Tortoise and the Hare, written by Aesop, had quite a history, having been adapted into numerous cartoons and TV specials. I always loved the classic fairy tale where slow and steady wins the race.
