Having Burt Reynolds sing wasn't the only unfortunate move director Don Bluth made in "All Dogs." The worst, by far, was coming up with a story that 5-year-olds will find scary and impenetrable.

This darkness seem to work against the lightweight nature of the story. I don't think Bluth intended this to be as gloomy a movie as his earlier The Secret of NIMH.

Emotional punch, memorable character design and animation, a richly detailed narrative, a delightfully shadowy visual sense and sharp cultural perceptions -- all distinguish All Dogs Go to Heaven, the Don Bluth team's best all-around achievement.

Judith Barsi is tragically exceptional, as she outshines everyone in the film with her charm and innocence. The ending basically rips your heart out, and All Dogs Go to Heaven is more memorable because of it.