Turbo - B

Rated PG, 90 minutes

 Winning, fun "Turbo" moves along quite well

Ryan Reynolds as Turbo

Some of the better movies this summer have been animated, and you can add the enjoyable, colorful new film "Turbo" to that list. About a snail who ends up in the Indianapolis 500, it's immensely likeable and well-cast. Ryan Reynolds, is Theo, or Turbo, who longs to leave the slow-paced life of a snail behind him and become a race car driver like his hero, Guy Gagne (Bill Hader). When an accident infuses his DNA with nitrous oxide, Turbo may get his chance, and with his rag tag crew led by his new human friend Angelo (Michael Pena), his brother Chet (Paul Giamatti) and a group of snails led by Whiplash (Samuel L. Jackson), he turns his world and everyone else's, upside down. Directed by David Soren and from Dreamworks Animation, "Turbo" is a predictable but entertaining animated entry, that while not on the level of Pixar, is a pleasant surprise and is filled with a peppy energy that will keep the young set engaged. It also helps that "Turbo" has some inspired voices, especially from the supporting cast including Jackson, whose tough snail character is clearly not intimidated by some crows, Hader as the competition, and comedian Ken Jeong ("Community," "The Hangover" films) as a wise-cracking female nail shop owner. The plotting, the messages of friendship, family and support are all-too familiar and its first act is a tad - no pun intended - sluggish (except for those darn crows, who provide the funniest moments early on), but overall "Turbo" bounces with enough energy to make this a fun drive in the end. "Turbo" is a winner and worth a look for even the adults.

Wes's Grade: B