Review: ‘The Seventh Dwarf’ a forgettable princess tale

In the new German CG feature “The Seventh Dwarf,” elements from “Snow White,” “Sleeping Beauty,” “Tangled,” “Frozen,” “Happy Feet” and “Shrek” have been ineptly stitched together into a leaden film that children will enjoy about as much as lumps in their oatmeal.

The kingdom is preparing to celebrate: Princess Rose (voiced by Peyton List) has reached her 18th birthday without falling victim to the curse of the evil Dellamorta (Nina Hagen). But during the festivities, the witch tricks Bobo (Joshua Graham), the youngest and klutziest of the Seven Dwarfs, into pricking the princess’ finger with a booby-trapped ring. Everyone in the castle falls asleep and freezes.

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Determined to make things right, the dwarfs set out to rescue Jack (James Frantowski), the kitchen hand whom Rose loves and Dellamorta has kidnapped. In Dellamorta’s ice castle — incongruously built over a lava pit — the dwarfs engineer Jack’s escape and befriend Burner the Dragon (Norm MacDonald). All ends happily and predictably.

Stolidly directed by Harald Siepermann and Boris Aljinovic, the film fails to generate even a shred of suspense or humor as the characters stumble from one forgettable song to the next. Bobo might as well have “will grow into a hero” stenciled on his shirt, and why have the dragon dream of becoming a tap dancer when the animators can’t execute the movements convincingly?

After a brief theatrical run, “The Seventh Dwarf” will end up where it belongs, in the bargain DVD bin of a discount store.

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“The Seventh Dwarf.”

MPAA rating: PG for thematic elements and some suggestive material.

Running time: 1 hour, 28 minutes.

Playing: At the Laemmle Town Center, Encino.

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