Racetime Parent Guide

Frankie (voiced by Lucinda Davis) takes sledding seriously. Every year, the kids in his village compete in an epic toboggan race, careening down a snowy racetrack on homemade sleds. The track—which would look right at home in a video game—includes hairpin turns, tunnels and other obstacles, and the kid’s antics not only defy the laws of physics, but also lead to some crazy wipeouts. Fortunately, in this animated film, everyone bounces back unharmed and ready for more fun. And while they can get pretty competitive—especially Frankie, whose brilliantly engineered sled always wins—this odd assortment of boys and girls value their friendship above all. They put up with Frankie’s eccentricities, they look out for the younger members of the group, and they even chuckle good-naturedly at one of the kid’s noisy flatulence.

But as this tight knit group enjoys an innocent co-ed sleepover at their clubhouse (an abandoned barn that’s been lovingly refurbished) there’s trouble afoot. Zac (voiced by Noel Fisher) is the new kid in town. Like Frankie, he has a flair for sled design. And he’s eager to prove his skill at any cost, even if it means sabotaging the competition. When the big race ends with Frankie’s sled in pieces, Frankie and his friends cry foul and demand a rematch. Zac agrees—but it’s soon obvious that he hasn’t changed his ways.

With the help of his cousin Charlie (voiced by Dawn Ford), Zac keeps an eye on the other kid’s progress and searches for weaknesses to exploit. Frankie, with an ego at least as big as Zac’s, quickly throws his own principles to the wind and uses spy equipment to eavesdrop on his rival’s conversations. He even breaks into his bedroom. Pretty soon, it’s hard for Frankie’s friends to tell who the real cheater is. Fortunately, the kids in this town aren’t willing to sacrifice their close relationships in the name of a toboggan race, and their efforts to settle the conflict are genuinely heartwarming.

The script includes a bit of potty humor - like a puppy who sometimes sniffs human backsides, and, of course, one character who gets a bit gassy. There’s also name calling, slapstick situations, and some mild peril as a result of diabolical scheming on the racetrack. But overall, it’s a cute little production that’s perfectly appropriate for small children and provides an ending as sweet as hot chocolate on a snow day.