Okay, fellow travelers on the rewind river, let's set the VCR tracking for a trip across the pond. While Rugrats in Paris: The Movie technically landed just as the new millennium dawned in 2000, its heart, soul, and, yes, its eventual home on countless well-loved VHS tapes, feels perfectly nestled within the spirit of late-90s animation domination. For many of us whose VCRs were still humming along, this wasn't just another movie; it was a major event, taking our favorite imaginative toddlers on their biggest adventure yet. And honestly? It holds up remarkably well, perhaps even better than you remember.
### More Than Just Diaper Duty in the City of Lights
Following the runaway success of The Rugrats Movie (1998), which proved these Nickelodeon titans could conquer the big screen (grossing over $140 million worldwide against a $24 million budget), the pressure was on for a sequel. Directors Stig Bergqvist and Paul Demeyer along with a hefty writing team including David N. Weiss, J. David Stem, Jill Gorey, Barbara Herndon, and Kate Boutilier (many veterans of the show), didn't just opt for a rehash. Instead, they delivered something surprisingly ambitious: a story tackling loneliness, the desire for parental love, and even corporate cynicism, all wrapped up in a Parisian adventure.
The setup is classic Rugrats: Stu Pickles is summoned to EuroReptarland, a lavish Japanese-inspired theme park in Paris (a detail reportedly inspired by producer Arlene Klasky's own trip to Tokyo Disneyland), to fix a malfunctioning giant robot Reptar. The whole gang tags along – Tommy (E.G. Daily), Chuckie (Christine Cavanaugh, though Nancy Cartwright voiced him in later seasons and some games, Cavanaugh voiced him here), Phil & Lil (Kath Soucie), Angelica (Cheryl Chase), baby Dil (Tara Strong), and their assorted, slightly clueless parents. But the emotional core belongs entirely to Chuckie Finster. His dad, Chas, is tentatively re-entering the dating world, sparking Chuckie's deep yearning for a new mommy. It’s a surprisingly poignant throughline for a kids' film, handled with genuine sensitivity amidst the ensuing chaos.
### Coco LaBouche and the Reptar Rampage
Paris introduces us to two pivotal new characters: the relentlessly ambitious, child-hating Coco LaBouche (Susan Sarandon, clearly having a blast), the manager of EuroReptarland who sees marrying Chas as her ticket to the company presidency, and her put-upon, good-hearted assistant Kira Watanabe (Julia Kato) and Kira's own adventurous daughter, Kimi (Dionne Quan). Coco is a villainess for the ages – vain, manipulative, and delightfully over-the-top. Her scheme to woo Chas while locking up Angelica and plotting against the babies provides much of the film's conflict and humor. Who can forget her iconic, if slightly terrifying, declaration, "I am Coco LaBouche, the head of this company!" that echoes through the park?
The animation feels like a step up from the already impressive first film, capturing the beauty of Paris (albeit through a Rugrat's-eye view) alongside the garish wonders of EuroReptarland. The climactic sequence, involving a giant snail-themed vehicle, a runaway Reptar robot piloted by Tommy, and a frantic chase to Notre Dame, is genuinely exciting stuff. It felt huge on our fuzzy CRT screens back in the day, a real cinematic spectacle compared to the often-domestic adventures of the TV show. And yes, the movie even features that inescapable song of the year 2000, Baha Men's "Who Let the Dogs Out?", cementing its place in the pop culture time capsule.
### Finding the Heart in the Mayhem
What truly elevates Rugrats in Paris beyond just a fun romp is its emotional intelligence. Chuckie’s sadness feels real, his simple wish for a mom resonating powerfully. The bond he eventually forms with Kira, and the introduction of Kimi as his new stepsister, feels earned and genuinely heartwarming. It expanded the Rugrats family in a meaningful way, adding new dynamics that would carry back over into the television series. Retro Fun Fact: The writers specifically created Kimi to give Chuckie someone who was even more fearless than Tommy, pushing him towards his own acts of bravery.
Let's not forget the humor, either. The film is packed with witty lines and visual gags that work on multiple levels. Angelica's cynical commentary remains a highlight, and the movie even throws in a surprisingly brilliant parody of The Godfather featuring baby Dil babbling demands to a gathering of other infants. It’s moments like these that remind you the creators knew plenty of parents and older fans were watching alongside the kids. This cleverness helped the film connect broadly, leading to another box office success, pulling in over $103 million globally on a $30 million budget.
### Why It Still Plays Well on Rewind
Watching Rugrats in Paris today evokes that specific feeling of early 2000s optimism mixed with late 90s Nicktoon energy. It's bright, colourful, fast-paced, and full of character moments that fans of the original show adore. The voice cast is, as always, superb, bringing these iconic toddlers to life with incredible personality. E.G. Daily as the brave Tommy, Christine Cavanaugh capturing Chuckie's vulnerability, Cheryl Chase’s unmatched Angelica – they are these characters. While animation styles have evolved, the hand-drawn charm here (blended with some early CGI for things like the Reptar robot) has a warmth that still resonates.
Sure, some elements feel distinctly of their time (that Baha Men song!), but the core story about family, belonging, and finding courage remains timeless. It treated its young audience with respect, unafraid to explore slightly deeper themes without sacrificing the fun and adventure that made Rugrats a phenomenon. It didn't just feel like an extended episode; it felt like a genuine movie event.
VHS Heaven Rating: 8/10
This rating reflects a film that successfully expanded its beloved source material, delivering a funny, visually inventive, and surprisingly touching adventure. It balances kid-friendly slapstick with genuine emotional depth, features a memorable villain, and provides a satisfying character arc for Chuckie. While perhaps not quite reaching the groundbreaking feel of the first movie for some, its ambition, heart, and Parisian flair make it a standout animated feature from the turn of the millennium and a treasured memory for anyone whose childhood bled into the early 2000s.
It’s a reminder that sometimes, the biggest adventures (and the most important discoveries) happen when you’re brave enough to step outside your playpen – even if it’s into a giant runaway Reptar robot. Definitely worth popping back in the VCR... or, you know, finding it on whatever format you use these days.