It's good to see closure for a fabulous series. (please no reboots, live action movie or spinoffs)

Just like the episodic series this one entertains in the 5th grade.

Its only flaw that remains is TJ being an annoying fat pest.

2021 update. I just rewatched it after a couple years and I must say I didn't realize how bad and choppy the animation was. It's like they borrowed the animation from the Arthur TV series.

Just for the record, I love Recess. It is fun and entertaining with great characters and writing as well as one of the catchiest theme tunes of any animated series. Taking the Fifth Grade is decent, but it is lacking something compared to the overall standard of the show. I did feel as though All Growed Down and School's Out captured the show's spirit better as well. I'll start with the good things as there are enough. I did think the voice acting was good, TJ's voice is naturally different and lacks spunk but everybody else is voiced very well, Prickley and Miss Finster are especially well voiced. The music manages to be both catchy and dynamic, good characteristics for music. The writing is on the most part fun and engaging, maybe a little preachy for my tastes in the first story but the second story especially has some great moments. The characters largely are true to those of the show, Miss Finster being a class teacher is odd, but that didn't bother me too hugely. TJ lacks his characteristic spunk at times but like in the show he does have a sense of fun and his heart in the right place. The rest of the gang I can't think much of a problem with. On the other hand, the animation is rather basic, the colours lack real vibrancy and the character designs do look very sketchy at times. Taking the Fifth Grade's story is three stories into one, and I have to agree that the second story is the only one that properly captures the show's spirit. The first one means well but over-patronises for me towards the end and the third, while having some funny moments like seeing Miss Finster as a fairy princess and Randall as a fairy prince, is rather forgettable and somewhat predictable too. I also really dislike the character of King Freddy, I do find him annoying and rather incompetent as a king of the playground, mainly because King Bob(who you do see briefly) has better rules and more of a command over the rest of the kids whereas Freddy comes across at times as a whiny brat. All in all, a little tired but not bad. 6/10 Bethany Cox

The movie, a three episode compilation, took an interesting turn. As the gang enters the fifth grade, a certain maturity comes along with it. The first story is about the controversial new policy introduced in the new year (welcomed whole-heartedly by the fifth grade teacher Miss Finster)that strips the school of all fun. In a protest of student rights TJ ditches school, leads a revolution, and returns a former adversary. The story makes a transition into an exclusive 5th and 6th grader club that enters a more mature theme of acceptance beyond cliques and age. Thirdly, Hallowe'en fun is in question as being older requires the gang to be more mature, but are fun and age really related? In conclusion, the movie searches the more mature themes of growing up with the same goofiness of the classic show. Even the jokes reach a higher level (Hustler Kid/Nixon?). In the end I was very impressed with a show that grew with the kids and was able to include the whole character list of episodes past (after some casting changes). Highly recommended to any fans.