Only a grouch wouldn’t love “The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland.” Simple, fast-paced, brief (only 75 minutes) and sweet, it’s the perfect first movie for the youngest cinema set. Kevin Clash provides the voice for little red Elmo, one of the residents of “Sesame Street” created by the genius of the late Jim Henson. (You may remember Elmo in his sought-after “Tickle Me” incarnation a few years back as THE most sough-after Christmas toy). At first glance, the story doesn’t sound like much: Elmo loses his beloved blanket, and runs off to find it. But it develops into a lessons about sharing, determination, friendship and working together that are all the more delightful because of the brightly colored, musical way in which they’re presented. Elmo’s best pal is his blanket, which he refuses to share with anyone. When his friend Zoe (Fran Brill) tries to grab the blanket from him, the blanket tears, then is accidentally whisked away by a roller-blading Muppet. At last, Oscar the Grouch (Caroll Spinney) finds the blanket, uses it for a hankie then sends it down into his trash can world. 

Little Elmo tries to wait outside the trash can, but he just doesn’t have the patient to stay until Oscar returns. And so he dives in, finding himself swept into a rainbow-hued vortex that sends him spinning into grimy Grouchland. That’s where he meets bad guy Huxley (Mandy Patinkin), a villain who seems to be in charge of just about everything in Grouchland -- in fact, Huxley is so greedy that he sends all items through a machine that stamps them “MINE.” And, a la “The Wizard of Oz’’ and other “quest”-themed stories, Elmo must journey through a series of adventures to Huxley’s castle in search of his blanket. What’s really fun is the way the story is delivered: Bert and Ernie appear occasionally as the film “stops” to discuss what’s happening to Elmo and to further explain his adventures. You’ll see lots of the familiar human faces from “Sesame Street” as well as Muppets such as Big Bird and The Count, along with a nifty appearance by Vanessa L. Williams as The Queen of Trash. And the lessons never thwack you over the head in this movie that’s pure enjoyment for all ages. 

Rated G.