Down in the forest something stirred - the sound of critics giving the bird to this eco-worthy cartoon adventure, because many felt it force-fed its tale of planet-saving too strenuously. The criticism was a bit unfair, however, as the story of a fairy, a fruit bat and a tiny lumberjack battling a malevolent spirit bent on destruction is well-meaning and thoroughly entertaining for youngsters. Its target audience won't mind the preachiness and adults, even though they may be a little bored with it themselves, can be sure of the film's good intentions.

When a sprite named Crysta shrinks a human boy, Zak, down to her size, he vows to help the magical fairy folk stop a greedy logging company from destroying their home: the pristine rainforest known as FernGully. Zak and his new friends fight to defend FernGully from lumberjacks — and the vengeful spirit they accidentally unleash after chopping down a magic tree.