After the stiff attempts at realism in many recent features, it's a treat to see broad
cartoon-style animation on the big screen in Osmosis Jones, a spoof of cop movies
set inside the human body. The title character (voice by Chris Rock) is a
street-smart white blood cell, working for Frank's immune system. He and Drix
(David Hyde Pierce), an over-the-counter cold capsule, are reluctant partners
fighting what appears to be a minor infection. Osmosis discovers Frank has really
contracted a fatal virus, Thrax (Laurence Fishburne): he battles a corrupt body
politic led by a venal mayor (William Shatner) to save Frank's life and win the
affection of the mayor's aide, Leah (Brandy Norwood). Rock's motor-mouth
delivery can get annoying, but it contrasts nicely with straight arrow Drix (imagine
a fussy Buzz Lightyear). Excellent drawing and a powerful vocal performance make
Thrax a genuinely frightening villain.

Osmosis Jones is about two-thirds animation and one-third live action, which is
why two-thirds of the film is entertaining and funny, and one-third is not. The life
Osmosis and Drix save belongs to Frank, a slob played in live-action sequences by
Bill Murray, who's undercut rather than supported by Chris Elliott and Molly
Shannon. Shamelessly over-the-top performances make the human characters
seem flatter than the two-dimensional cartoons. The live action was shot by the
Farrelly brothers and features lots of gross-out gags about zits, flatulence, vomit,
snot, etc. The audience endures these leaden segments, waiting to get back to the
animation--and the real comedy. Suitable for ages 9 and up: profanity, violence,
bodily function jokes. --Charles Solomon