OK, how does a movie about animated characters wind up becoming so, well, inanimate?

In theory, "The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" — which combines live-action and animation (in this case, computer-enhanced animation), � la "Who Framed Roger Rabbit?" — must have sounded like a good idea.

However, in execution this silly but ultimately lifeless comedy turns out more like "Cool World," the Ralph Bakshi dud that tried to do the same thing, although it took the idea in a more "adult" direction.

Fortunately, this film is at least a little better than that one. But it doesn't come close to living up to the standards set by its inspiration — the beloved 1960s Saturday morning cartoon.

The idea's a funny one: Evil spies Boris Badenov (Jason Alexander) and Natasha Fatale (Rene Russo), as well as Fearless Leader (Robert De Niro), have broken out of cartoon existence into the "real" world.

Not too surprisingly, it doesn't take these ne'er-do-wells long to hatch another diabolical scheme, one that involves buying up all the existing cable television channels in America. The evil trio will then broadcast mediocre television shows to hypnotize viewers, aiding Fearless Leader's presidential bid.

Things look nearly hopeless, so the country has to turn to long-forgotten heroes Rocket J. Squirrel and Bullwinkle J. Moose (voiced, respectively, by June Foray and Keith Scott). Unfortunately, the two are still trapped in their animated "reality."

Consequently, FBI Director "Cappy" von Trappment (Randy Quaid) recruits one of their most devoted fans, rookie agent Karen Sympathy (newcomer Piper Perabo), to free Rocky and Bullwinkle and to get them to New York in time to stop their longtime foes.

Director Des McAnuff ("Cousin Bette") and screenwriter Kenneth Lonergan ("Analyze This") smartly try to ape the cartoon in spirit, right down to the slapstick and the awful puns. But despite some skillful blending of the animated and live-action scenes, their attempts go awry.

For one thing, even at an hour and a half, it's too long. And Lonergan's best gags and lines — those poking fun at television or the movie itself — will probably go way over the heads of the film's intended audience.

The performances are also wildly erratic. Although it is a treat to hear Foray reprise her role, and to hear Scott doing Bullwinkle (he's the son of original Bullwinkle voice and co-creator Bill Scott), their "real-life" co-stars aren't even half as funny.

In particular, Alexander and Russo seem bored, Perabo lacks any sense of comic timing and co-producer De Niro doesn't get enough screentime to chew as much scenery as he should.

"The Adventures of Rocky & Bullwinkle" is rated PG for slapstick violence, as well as a mouthful of brief profanities. Running time: 88 minutes.

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