Osmosis Jones (2001)

After the stiff attempts at realism in many recent features, it's a treat to see broad cartoon-style animation on the big screen in Osmosis Jones, a spoof of cop movies set inside the human body. The title character (voice by Chris Rock) is a street-smart white blood cell, working for Frank's immune system. He and Drix (David Hyde Pierce), an over-the-counter cold capsule, are reluctant partners fighting what appears to be a minor infection. Osmosis discovers Frank has really contracted a fatal virus, Thrax (Laurence Fishburne): he battles a corrupt body politic led by a venal mayor (William Shatner) to save Frank's life and win the affection of the mayor's aide, Leah (Brandy Norwood). Rock's motor-mouth delivery can get annoying, but it contrasts nicely with straight arrow Drix (imagine a fussy Buzz Lightyear). Excellent drawing and a powerful vocal performance make Thrax a genuinely frightening villain.

Osmosis Jones is about two-thirds animation and one-third live action, which is why two-thirds of the film is entertaining and funny, and one-third is not. The life Osmosis and Drix save belongs to Frank, a slob played in live-action sequences by Bill Murray, who's undercut rather than supported by Chris Elliott and Molly Shannon. Shamelessly over-the-top performances make the human characters seem flatter than the two-dimensional cartoons. The live action was shot by the Farrelly brothers and features lots of gross-out gags about zits, flatulence, vomit, snot, etc. The audience endures these leaden segments, waiting to get back to the animation--and the real comedy. Suitable for ages 9 and up: profanity, violence, bodily function jokes. --Charles Solomon Amazon.com

Entertaining for kids

As a Biology teacher I am always on the lookout for entertaining movies that allow me to bring real science into the classroom. Osmosis Jones has enough Human Biology to justify showing it, but I did not find it very interesting or factually relevant. Some students enjoyed it, but others were bored (the animation keeps it juvenile). June 29, 2008

Fantastic!!!

Can be used from grades five through high school! Humor and visuals for all ages. Great fun learning about the immune system. Bravo to all.
Gets SIX out of five stars. May 14, 2008

Excellent Resource

Osmosis Jones is an excellent resource for my students. This video is utilized in my classroom when teaching about cells and viruses. My sixth grade students really enjoy the video for its science content, humor, action, and soundtrack! April 26, 2008

Fun and educational

Jumping between live action and animation, this movie is fun for kids and also explains a little about how the human body works.
While folllowing a white blood cell (a cop named Osmosis Jones), and a cold pill he has been paired up with to help the human (Bill Murray) feel better as he gets what he feels is the cold. Later we find out a deadly virus is planning to take over.
Keep in mind that this is supposed to be a fun movie, maybe with a few one liners geared towards slightly older kids. My 4yr old son loves this movie, and I think it helped him visualize what was happenning to me.
I was diagnosed with Leukemia and I think he can relate the "bad guys" in the movie to the bad guys in me, and that I have "good guys" (and pills) in me fighting to save me.
December 28, 2007

Not neccessarily appropriate for kids

I bought this item on the suggestion of a student, who thought it might be good to show in our jr. high science class. I'm glad I previewed it first! I'd caution other teachers and parents on the amount of innuendo in this film... also, as a viewer myself, it just wasn't very engaging -- more depressing than anything else. June 18, 2007

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