3 ½ stars

Once or twice a year, I just go nuts about a movie.
It's all I think about. It occupies my mind because I'm so delighted with it. I imagine that I detect references to its themes everywhere I go, and I often buy the soundtrack and listen to it as I play part of the movie over again in my head.
Usually, it's a movie with an element of fantasy that's the focus of my obsession. "The Iron Giant" and "Babe" are among those cherished films (of course, so are darker visions, such as "Reservoir Dogs" and "V for Vendetta").
For 2007, my obsession film is "The Last Mimzy."
Admittedly, it's not perfect. And no, I didn't love it merely because there's a toy rabbit in it (although I do indeed have a plush Mimzy sitting on my desk at this very moment).
No, it's because this film has a sweet sense of wonder that is sure to enchant both children and adults. The way I felt while I was watching it reminded me of the emotions I experienced when I watched "E.T."
And just think: I went into this movie grumbling about it. I'm a great fan of the all-too-often-unsung science-fiction author Lewis Padgett (they're re-releasing his book, by the way). The show is loosely based on his marvelous story "All Mimsy Were the Borogoves," whose title comes from the Lewis Carroll poem "Jabberwocky." It's a far cry from Padgett's piece, but each stands on its own as an admirable tale.
The movie is more of a gentle fable than the original short story. Siblings Noah (Chris O'Neil) and Emma (Rhiannon Leigh Wryn) find a strange box on the beach. They bring the container into their home only to become fascinated by the items they discover inside it.
The objects are more than toys -- they're instructors. The children, who are now labeled geniuses, become more involved with these gizmos, which include a toy rabbit that Emma calls Mimzy.
While the kids' transformation accelerates, they make an impact on the lives of the adults around them, including their mom and dad (Joely Richardson and Timothy Hutton) and Noah's teacher (Rainn Wilson). But what is the purpose of these "toys?" And what is happening to the kids?
This is true science-fiction that both children and adults will appreciate.
And Pink Floyd will appreciate the soundtrack and its splendid Roger Waters song.
Director: Bob Shaye.
Screenwriter, Bruce Joel Rubin and Toby Emmerich, based on the short story "All Mimsy Were the Borogoves" by Lewis Padgett.
Stars: Chris O'Neil, Rhiannon Leigh Wryn, Joely Richardson, Timothy Hutton, Rainn Wilson, Kathryn Hahn and Michael Clarke Duncan.