Fable

In the tradition of Hoodwinked, this computer-animated tale offers a vibrant update on a childhood classic. Presented by the Jim Henson Company, 3 Pigs and a Baby splices The Three Little Pigs with Three Men and a Baby. Directed by Sharkbait's Howard E. Baker, the Unstable Fable opens with a gang of wolves preparing to chow down on a trio of porcine brothers. A flashback reveals how the fussy Richard (Jon Cryer), laidback Sandy (Steve Zahn), and uptight Mason (Brad Garrett) ended up suspended over a pot of boiling water. After the Big Bad Wolf blows down two of their houses, the pigs gather in Mason's brick mansion and light a fire. Alas, the wolf dives down the chimney without looking and--poof! That's the end of Big Bad. So Dr. Wolfowitz (SpongeBob's Tom Kenney) and his covert ops leave a wolf cub on Mason's doorstep in hopes that the pigs will raise the tyke. Then, when he's old enough, his canine compadres will ask Lucky (singer Jesse McCartney) to let them in, except the wolf grows up thinking he's a pig. When adolescence hits, an identity crisis takes over, but in time, Jesse finds his way in the world and saves the day. In 76 minutes, Baker tackles adoption, peer pressure, blended families, and alternative parenting--even a musical sequence. Extras include an introduction to the voice talent, an interview with the creators, a look at the animation, and a preview of Tortoise vs. Hare. --Kathleen C. Fennessy