Doris (Kyla Pratt of "Dr. Doolittle 2") is a sweet, cute high school girl who the most popular girls won’t invite to their parties and the boys seem to avoid. Teary eyed from loneliness and rejection, Doris stares at the television as cartoon character Fat Albert (Kenan Thompson of "Barbershop 2") and his five animated buddies "see" her from their perspective inside the TV. Fat Albert is always ready to help solve a problem and it’s obvious Doris has one. So, an astonished Doris watches as Fat Albert and his gang squeeze through her TV screen, and into the realm of reality. This reminded us of that scary scene in "The Ring" (Naomi Watts) but this is very kid friendly.

Fat Albert’s mission is to find a way to get Doris accepted by her peers. One of his first steps is to get an invite from Heather (Keri Lynn Pratt) to her birthday party. Fat Albert and his friends are in a time warp; they don’t know how to pull the tab on a can of soda, have never seen a cell phone or PC and they think the mall is an indoor town. When they "help", at best it’s a painfully small step that goes in a circle to nowhere.

Lauri (Dania Ramirez of "She Hate Me") is Doris’ foster sister, who is popular in school and mesmerizes Fat Albert. She is afraid of being close to anyone, especially boys, but Fat Albert’s charm wins her affection. Fat Albert would like to remain in the real world, but he and the gang realize that they are literally fading from view the longer they stay. After a funny and informative visit to Mr. Bill Cosby, the creator of their cartoon landscape and fantasy lives, Fat Albert understands that they must return or they’ll turn into celluloid dust.

The relationship that develops between the lovely Lauri (like a pre-over-hyped J- Lo) and a very overweight "Big Al," as Lauri calls him, is a breath of fresh air. Fat Albert never loses his self-confidence or sight of his goal. He helps Doris regain her footing, both on and off the running track, as she comes to terms with her grief over her grandfather’s death. All great and valuable life lessons.

Kids from 8-18 and adults will enjoy this coming of age story. The movie got more "I’m with you" laughs and applause at the end of the film than anything we can recall over the past year or so. With Bill

Cosby as a co writer, there is no doubt he’s still fresh regarding the topic of family values. Throughout the film the subjects of trust, truthfulness and self-confidence are dealt with from a moral perspective, that never becomes moralistic or in your face preaching.

Even the rap music is family friendly and nice on the ears, in the manner of "Shark Tale." Fat Albert is a film that belongs on the library shelf. The more kids see it, the better human beings they are likely to become.