Kangaroo Jack

The soundtrack to the wacky adventures in the Outback kids' film Kangaroo Jack mixes dance-pop, big-beat and hip-hop into an energetic mix that's arguably more fun than the movie that inspired it. DJ Otzi's "Hey Baby" (a dancey, Latin-tinged cover of the Bruce Channel song from the '60s), Wiseguys' "Start the Commotion," the Sugarhill Gang's "Rapper's Delight" and the Dude's "Rock Da Juice" offer bouncy, hyperactive fun for kids and adults alike, while Sugababes' "Round Round" and Lil' Romeo & Master P's "2-Way" will probably be more successful with the younger set. Conversely, Soft Cell's "Tainted Love," Paulina Rubio's "Casanova" and Shaggy's "Hey Sexy Lady" seem either too old or slightly too mature to appear on a soundtrack for a film aimed at kids; still, there's nothing too lyrically objectionable about the last two songs. Colin Hay's remake of his Men at Work hit "Down Under" isn't quite as winning as the original, but still has more charm than most of the songs on the rest of the album combined. Overall, though, Kangaroo Jack is an enjoyable -- if disposable -- soundtrack and a fun musical souvenir for kids who enjoyed the movie.