TinkerBell

Directed by Bradley Raymond, TinkerBell offers up an origin story for the iconic title figure (voiced by Mae Whitman) and primarily details her efforts at fitting in with her fellow fairies (including Lucy Liu’s Silvermist, America Ferrera’s Fawn, and Kristin Chenoweth’s Rosetta). It’s passable subject matter that’s employed to basically watchable (albeit entirely forgettable) effect by Raymond, as the filmmaker, armed with Jeffrey M. Howard’s screenplay, delivers a gentle endeavor that benefits from Whitman’s affable turn as the likeable central character – with the actress’ solid efforts here certainly matched by an impressive roster of periphery performers. (Anjelica Huston’s brief yet compelling work as the Queen of the fairies remains a recurring highlight, to be sure.) And while the whole thing never adds up to much, TinkerBell, which admittedly grows more compelling as it progresses into a relatively eventful and propulsive second half, generally comes off as a decent-enough prequel that never quite wears out its welcome. (The 78 minute running time sure helps in that regard.)

**1/2 out of ****