All the critics said this movie sucked. They said it’s bland, over-hyped, and that director Danny DeVito misses too many opportunities to make this movie the quality piece of film it could be. But you always thought that Roger Ebert was just a fat, annoying bastard anyhow, didn’t you?

Death to Smoochy is a smart, funny film that delves deep into the corrupt world of children’s TV. Smoochy kicks things off with resident kids TV kingpin Rainbow Randolph (Robin Williams) being busted by the feds accepting bribe money, and he subsequently loses his hit show. Seeking a wholesome replacement to bolster the station’s Randolph-tarnished image, Nora Wells and Frank Stokes (Catherine Keener and Jon Stewart, respectively) scrape the bottom of the barrel of child entertainment, casting aside heroin addicts (among other miscreants) until they come across Sheldon Mopes, a.k.a. Smoochy, a.k.a. Edward Norton, performing to a bunch of junkies in a methadone clinic.

Soon after taking over Randolph’s show, Smoochy learns that the business isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be, as he faces corruption, mob relations, and one bitter-as-Hell Rainbow Randolph desperately trying to win back his once-excessive adoration.

Death to Smoochy falters somewhat in DeVito’s overall direction for the film, closely following DeVito’s other efforts War of the Roses and Throw Momma from the Train, but the cast more than makes up for it. Norton is arguably the most versatile actor in film today, while Williams has always been a great choice for almost every role he’s ever starred in (exceptions being made for Toys and Hook).

Death to Smoochy is a dark and twisted, funny in the I-really-shouldn’t-be-laughing-at-this-sort-of-way film. It’s worth a trip to the theatre, maybe even worth some popcorn, and some gummy bears if you’re feeling saucy.