Death to Smoochy is one of those films whose assumed plot we've always fantasized about; especially those of us with young children in the home. Barney the Dinosaur (1992-2010), Teletubbies (1997- 2001), Yo-Gabba-Gabba (2007-Present) inspire just as many kids to use their imaginations and jump up and down as they inspire grown- ups to take up Valium. So why not release a movie about a beloved children's character meeting his demise.Well I'm not sure people knew quite what they were getting into with this one but if you can deal with Edward Norton's painful earnestness and Robin William's mania there's actually quite a lot to like here. Atmospherically the tone is dark and caustically funny. Director Danny DeVito creates a cynical media-centric universe in this film where crime and corruption ooze into the folds of children's programming. Smoochy the Rhino (Edward Norton) is a real believer in the power of his message to kids which is at odds with his angry rival Rainbow Randy (Robin Williams). As a result Smoochy naivety was seen by many as unrealistic and even annoying. I agree but a lot of bad things happen to the pink rhino so to me, it washes out.

Death to Smoochy (2002): Dir: Danny De Vito / Cast: Edward Norton, Robin Williams, Danny De Vito, Catherine Keener, Pam Ferris: Vile comedy indicating bad intentions brought about, with the audience falling victim. Interesting plot regards Robin Williams as children's entertainer Rainbow Randolph who is arrested in the film's opening. Catherine Keener plays a T.V. executive instructed to find new talent and brings in Edward Norton dressed as a purple rhino named Smoochy. He is all about entertaining and making kids happy but learns a lesson in corruption when promoter Burke schemes. Randolph attempts to sabotage Smoochy's success and even presents him with penis shaped cookies. Too many climaxes are issued as director Danny De Vito loses control. He often makes films about the dark side of human nature such as The War of the Roses. Norton is too happy to take seriously, and much of his story is predictable. Williams as Randolph is the one character of any depth as he struggles to regain his celebrity in very unpleasant ways. Keener is a fine actress but given very standard material here. De Vito overacts as Burke who is the clear villain who gets his just deserts. Pam Ferris played the psychotic teacher in De Vito's Matilda. Here she is equally over the top as a mob boss. Satire about industry corruption within a screenplay that died long before Smoochy. Score: 4 ½ / 10

(53%) It's no real mystery why this failed financially. Just look at that DVD cover, doesn't look much like an R rated black comedy featuring criminals and murder now does it? This is very much a mixed bag of dark humour intermixed with kid friendly fluff that does have some quite fun contrast, but the gags aren't as plentiful, or as good, as this really needs to properly satisfy. Robin Williams has a good proportion of the laughs, but he is a bit underused here, while Norton's character is just a bit too goody-goody to be a relatable person. There are some fans of this out there, and I can see why as it does have appeal in its talented cast and quite bizarre sense of humour, but a universal comedy for the masses this ain't.

This film starts dark as the children's TV star Rainbow Randolph is shown taking a bribe to allow a child special status on his show in a sting operation... or rather, dark before that, with the emphasis on the sales of his likeness and candy style "breakfast foods"... or maybe just in the innuendos of the song he sings at the beginning... or dark when we watch a figure being beaten to death at the very opening.All of the above: less than 5 minutes of screen time. This dark as the grave comedy just keeps getting darker and darker.WARNING: With the loss of one of the stars by his own hand, this may be too dark for the fans of Mr. Williams. I thought I could take it. I was wrong. Too soon for me, but I will go back again.It is, however, as brilliant a piece of dark comedy ever made, and with his untimely loss, maybe some that ignored it then will find it now. Brutal, unflinching and bordering on bitter (but never sweet), this is a grand film for all involved. Read the cast names... yes, this one somehow got away from us.