Most adults remember the good old days of “3-D” films viewed through green and red plastic eye lenses framed by cardboard. Watching the film was more work than it was worth, and you were left with a headache as a parting gift.

Now 3-D is back and better than ever in Walt Disney Feature Animation’s new film, “Meet the Robinsons.” The film will be shown in 600 3-D capable theaters around the nation, with several in the metro-Atlanta area. You can call your local theater to check for 3-D capability.

“Meet the Robinsons” tells the story of Lewis, a brilliant kid with a knack for creating clever inventions. Lewis’ most recent project is the Memory Scanner. He hopes to use his machine to win the science fair and to capture the one memory he has of his birth mother, who left him at an orphanage as an infant.

Lewis has suffered through hundreds of adoption interviews to no avail and he believes that only his birth mother will truly be able to accept him for who he is in order to create the family he has always dreamed of.

Before he has a chance to use his machine, it is stolen by the mysterious Bowler Hat Guy and his diabolical sidekick, a robotic hat named Doris. Before Lewis even realizes what has happened, he is befriended by a stranger named Wilbur Robinson. Wilbur claims to be from the future, and when Lewis expresses his doubts, Wilbur whisks him away to the future in an ultra-sleek time machine.

Their trip to the future introduces Lewis to a wacky cast of characters who turn out the be Wilbur’s family. As much as Lewis wants to stay put in the future, Wilbur’s family makes it clear that they must find the Memory Scanner and return Lewis and the machine to the present before any permanent damage is done to the space-time continuum.

The Robinson family must team up with Lewis to track down Bowler Hat Guy and set things right before life as they know it is ruined by Doris’ master plan for destruction.

Lewis will discover that he has more in common with both the Robinsons and Bowler Hat Guy than he ever imagined, and he will learn that it’s okay to be exactly who he is.

Seeing this film in 3-D, I was blown away by the advances that have been made to the technology behind “Meet the Robinsons.” The depth offered is remarkable, and best of all there were no ill side effects to be had. The bright colors, and Jetson-like futuristic inventions also add appealing elements to the film.

Whether or not you get the chance to see “Meet the Robinsons” in 3-D, this is one to leave the house for; it’s one of the best, if not the best, film so far this year. Funny, creative and incredibly imaginative, the film reflects all the best characteristics of our hero Lewis. The G rating makes it a film anyone can see and the clever script makes it appealing to the adults in the audience as well as the kids.

Stephen Anderson makes his directorial debut with “Meet the Robinsons,” and will surely have Disney clamoring for another.

The message is inspiring with phrases like “Keep moving forward” permeating the script. “Meet the Robinsons” is one your whole family will enjoy.

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