I‘m quite happy to report that the experience of watching Hey, Arnold! – The Jungle Movie wasn’t too much like the regrettable experience of re-watching The Never Ending Story (1984); a children’s film that I adored as a child, and one that should have been left firmly in my childhood.

This follow-up to the Hey, Arnold TV series finally tells the story of young Arnold’s parents, as the trailer promised. And the writers certainly delivered something worthwhile.

Unsurprisingly, a younger me would have enjoyed Hey, Arnold! – The Jungle Movie more than my grown-up self. Luckily, I still had fun because my favourite thing about the series was always the humour. And the amusement present in this movie, though, dare I say, isn’t as sophisticated as my grown-up tastes have come to prefer, but it’s still timeless.

I don’t know that I ever had a favourite Hey, Arnold character, but now I’m certain it’s Helga and her undying, yet completely unrequited love for dear ‘football head.’ Especially the way she verbalises her feelings when she thinks no one is around to hear her.

To satisfy your curiosity about the football-headed one’s parents, and to reminisce about your relatively carefree days, feel free to hit that play button on this one and see how you like it. But, be warned, you probably won’t be as in love as you once were, unlike our dear Helga.

Happy Film Loving,

G