This film version of the classic series The Little Rascals is cute and funny, but by no means as accessible and charming as the original series.
The plot revolves around the gang, especially the members of the He-Man Woman Hater's Club including Spanky, Alfalfa, Buckwheat, Porky, Stymie, and Uh Huh. Alfalfa, leader Spanky's best friend, has turned against them by having Darla be his girlfriend. When he invites her to the clubhouse for a secret date, it accidentally burns down. Not only does the club now have to worry about building a new one, it is also concerned with winning the go-kart derby race. And Alfalfa can only think of winning Darla back from rich kid Waldo who steals her away, even though he is on probation from seeing her.
Thankfully, the film stays true to the characters and plots of the series, and even employs many of the same gags and situations, mainly from the later episodes. The He-Man Woman Haters Club comes from the short "Hearts Are Thumps." Also from this short is the bubble scene where Alfalfa consumes soap and sings out bubbles. The "high sign" comes from the short "Anniversary Trouble." The scene in which Spanky and Alfalfa dress in ballerina costumes to escape Butch and Woim is taken from "Rushin' Ballet." In "Teacher's Beau," the kids sit on each other's shoulders and put on men's clothing and fake facial hair to appear older. The idea of putting on a show to make money is found in several shorts including "The Big Show" and "The Our Gang Follies of 1936."
There are many cameos in this film including those by Mel Brooks, the Olsen twins, and Whoopi Goldberg.
Overall, this film is cute, but it is mostly accessible to children, a step back from the original series.
