The Parent Trap

Given how bad all the other remakes of Disney's classics have been (i.e., 1996's "That Darn Cat"), there was no reason to believe a revised version of "The Parent Trap" would be any better.

Perhaps it's because the others were so awful that this smart, gentle comedy comes as such a surprise. In fact, it is marred only by a too-long running time (at 124 minutes, it may test the patience of some young viewers).

Another revelation is young Lindsay Lohan, who stars as twins Hallie Parker and Annie James, preteens who have grown up separately and without knowledge of each other's existence. That's remedied when the two attend the same summer camp.

There, the girls squabble and then become inseparable as they scheme to get their estranged parents, English fashion designer Elizabeth James (Natasha Richardson) and American vineyard owner Nick Parker (Dennis Quaid), back together.

But they face stiff opposition from money-hungry Meredith Blake (Elaine Hendrix), who is planning to marry Nick for his millions, as well as send Hallie away to boarding school.

Lohan, a newcomer, does an unbelievable job of pulling both roles (and an English accent) off. But the writing (by "Father of the Bride" team Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer) and the rest of the cast is equally good.

Quaid and Richardson are appealing and have believable chemistry together. And Hendrix is a real hoot, as are scene-stealers Lisa Ann Walter and Simon Kunz, playing James and Elizabeth's hired help.

Also, there are some nice ties to the original, including some of the music and Joanna Barnes, who reprises her role as Vicki Robinson, seen here as Meredith's mother.

"The Parent Trap" is rated PG for violence (a swordfighting competition), a couple of profanities and one vulgar gag.