Reviews (15)

Re-release the series
This series is has great writing and depth, a little pressure from you (the customer) may persuade Disney to re release the series, on DVD? and VHS... When it is re-released I'll review the series. (Review copies Disney?)

BRING TO DVD!!!
this is a classic! the only problem is that all the episodes are not in one place. when the series was on tv, i recorded it onto videotape, but now those tapes are virtually impossible to watch for the disintegration. thank goodness someone put them on prerecorded video! i watched them years ago with my niece, and now that i have a son he needs to see them as well! i hope the people who are in charge of bringing series' to dvd will include this priceless one - - i want to be one of the first on the list! thanks for the video, too!

dinosaurs
Please put this series out on D.V.D. I would buy them all!!!!! I wish nickelodeon would show them....Please hear our pleas.

IT IS on DVD
I keep reading reviewers wishing Dinosaurs TV series was on DVD, it is available from a website on DVD's a quick search reveals it. You can purchase all the episodes for $70 or by seasons for $25 each.

These aren't on DVD? A SHAME and a CRIME.
The paranoid part of me has come up with a theory on why this would be held back from DVD release:

Disney, who has made its *last* hand-drawn animation film (something about an Alamo -- apparently, nobody cared), are afraid to release such a masterwork of magical puppetry, because it's just gonna make us fall that much more OUT of love with Computer Generated Imaging, the wave of the future.

(Mind you, I'm not one of these anti-CGI cranks. Much as I love "Dinosaurs", or "Labyrinth", I also dug "Attack Of The Clones." Go, computers. Yay.)

But it's a shame, shame, shame -- because not only is this brilliant puppetry, it's EXTREMELY good *writing* and *acting.* Funny as can be! Laugh upon laugh for the kiddies and adults!! Me, I have no children, and I would buy up ALL the theoretical Complete Season DVD box sets, to sit proudly among "The Simpsons" and "South Park."

I don't know how typical I am -- but Disney folks, do you really want to TAKE THE CHANCE that you are MISSING OUT on tapping the Simpsons/South Park fan base?!?

Are you THAT sure of yourselves? Seems to me you guys keep missing the mark. ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Better than Book
My 25 month old loves this Video after we watch the video we looked for the book. I usually likes the book version but this time I found the video wonderful with great sound effects and animation. My toddler also adores Thomas the Tank Engine not the video but books and toys. She cannot watch the Thomas video because she finds the accidents and faces horifing. But she can watch Little Engine Tillie anytime.

Don't expect the book Do expect fun
My 3 year old loves the video and doesn't seem to mind it isn't the same as his story book. His die hard Mom wishes more of the original story was evident. Some of the embellishments seem unnecessary and harsh like the signal's attitude toward Tillie and the argumentative chicken. I am most disappointed that the helpful clown was turned into a buffoon. A lot of the characters changed and are hard to identify. I do like the Doc who helps Georgia. All that said it is a fun tape and your child will enjoy it. I did have to assure my son that the scary face was just snow that was falling down not a monster,

Distorts the story and the message
Expecting a faithful rendition of Watty Piper's immortal book, I was appalled by this video. Not only does it add a lot of gratuitous material, but it undermines the main lessons in the book.

Here's a quick synopsis so you know what I'm talking about: Chili, the little blue switch engine, desperately wants to pull a train of her own but she is mocked for being too little by the mean dispatcher (in the form of a talking control tower). When the engine pulling the Birthday Train breaks down, Chili see's her chance to sneak past the sleeping tower and pull the train over the mountain herself. The results are nearly catatrophic as a storm washes away part of a bridge and the caboose plumets into the ravine. After the train get buried in an avalanche, Chili gives it one more try and saves the day.

In the original book, the little blue engine doesn't know about the broken-down train until she stumbles upon it. She agrees to help out of kindness even though she's not entirely sure she can do it. In this video, the message is entirely reversed. Chili wants to pull the train out of self interest in order to prove herself and she is quite sure of herself. She defies authority to do what she wants, at great peril to herself and the train. Do you want your 4-year-old to sneak past you and cross the street without supervision, just because she really believes she can do it? This video says it's OK to do that.

Not to leave bad enough alone, we also have a tower that yells and a big sister that taunts her little brother. What about "I think I can?" It's in there, but so distorted as to be unrecognizable.

This video does teach one good lesson, though: never trust a video based on a beloved book love until you've viewed it yourself.

Better for an older child
My five year old son who loves trains really likes this one. He really likes Tillie the heroine of the story. He likes the little bird, and Georgia, the train who needs help. Of course some of the other trains are not as nice, but isn't that really like life? Not everyone your child will run into will be kind, unfortunately. You can help them understand this. The cave part was a little scarier than I'd like to have seen, but even as tender-hearted as my son is, he didn't get scared. He seemed to see that the little engine was trying to help someone do something good even if the "tower" hadn't given him permission. Overall, it's a sweet story.

Wrong lessons
This video is also my 3 year-old's favorite, and the books too. (He has about 4 different books of the story, he even found a reprint of the original [I think] version in the bookstore, all by himself, just based on the colors on the binding.) But besides the other complaints mentioned above, I feel that whomever added the video's additional material was very careless about the lessons that a preschooler might take away from it.

First (mainly an annoyance), the control tower character yells all the time, except once when he pretends to be nice just so he can yell really loud. Maybe it's setting things up for the next:

Second, a wrong lesson: It's okay to disobey your parent / local authority figure, especially if they aren't nice. And if they don't give you permission to go somewhere, it's okay to trick them and sneak out because you really want to do it, and you think you can. (I don't want my kid deciding to start his own search & rescue mission because someone says his son lost his puppy, and his son would be really, really sad if my kid can't find it.)

Third, a really wrong lesson: By repeating the mantra "I think I can" you can do anything you can think of (safe or unsafe), as opposed to those things that are merely difficult as in the book. (In the book, if the Little Blue Engine fails at her task, nobody's much worse off, and in fact the train is closer to town so she was still a help). I want my boy to use that mantra when normal childhood challenges arise, like running a lap faster or getting better grades. I do not want him thinking it will keep him safe when he encounters a rain-swollen river, or wants to race a real train over a railroad trestle. (Especially if a peer taunts him with "Yer tew little!")

Fourth, and kind of related: the avalanche that buries the engine makes the fire in her firebox go out. Then in the morning she magically wakes up, pushes her way out, and off they go, everyone's fine & happy. (Maybe there's some plot device w/ the boy reading the book at the same time.) But a kid who has gotten into so serious of a situation that his firebox goes out will not be able to just wake up and shake it off, and won't be able to learn about it for next time either. (Even in Thomas they need a breakdown train to pull them out of trouble.) I don't want my boy thinking there is no danger in the world, only fear, and that "fear is nothing to an engine with determination" (to paraphrase Percy) and should be ignored. Not sure how to discuss this one with him. He already thinks he should be able to cross the street, since if a car comes he'll just "run really, really fast! and jump! out of the way." ("As fast as a car?" "Faster!")

If your kid hasn't already discovered it, I'd advise avoiding this. Otherwise some lesson correction may be in order. An animated version of the original story would be nice though. (BTW that book had a lot better drawings of how the tracks, switches and roundhouse were connected, and I could show him how the Little Blue Engine could come up from behind, uncouple the broken one, tow it away, and attach herself to the front, that question has come up before.) ... Read more

Reviews (272)

Another Flop From Notorious Dreamworks Pictures!
Honestly, the way I see it is that "The Haunting" was the only commendable production from Dreamworks Pictures. This feature animation, on the other hand, puts Steven Spielberg to a great deal of shame, I'm afraid; and it all the more proves how Jeffery Katzenberg can hardly survive without the expertise of the Walt Disney Company.

First of all, it is terribly non-accurate in terms of restoring a "tale" of how Moses delivered his people. And secondly, eew...imagine how the people looked! Many praised this movie for its stunning background design; I personally feel horrible-looking CGI-animated people pale in accompaniment to how "stunning" the audience opines the animation to be - either in a positive or negative way. Why, I think even Don Bluth's "Anastasia" could do many times better!

The soundtrack itself isn't all the more that fantastic, despite the several rather meaningful songs like "River Lullaby", "Through Heaven's Eyes" and "When You Believe", due to that familiar sensation from listening to scores of similar tones. I suppose this is the only portion of "The Prince of Egypt" which persuades me to only hang on to it with an unimpressive 3-star rating. Better luck next time, Dreamworks - looking forward to your much anticipated "The Iron Robot"!

AN ARTISTIC MILESTONE IN THE HISTORY OF ANIMATION!!
The Biblical story of Moses has become a spiritual cornerstone of faith for millions of people worldwide. To adapt it to an animated motion picture presented an epic challenge to Dreamworks founders Steven Spielberg and Jeffery Katzenberg, which they have triumphed over very successfully. Disney's somewhat disappointing Hercules made movie fans look for a different angle of story-telling as it was becoming clear that they were tiring of the tried and true Disney hit formula. .

After the Oscar-winning Pocahontas, the studios had not been to deliver its best (though I completely agree that The Hunchback Of Notre dame is one of the most underrated animated classics). Fox's Anastasia conquered a large number of hearts with its amazing character-depth and haunting tunes, but a box-office success of a larger proportion was required to dethrone Disney's monopoly. The Prince Of Egypt is easily the best non-Disney feature ever made (followed closely by Anastasia) and in every way, it as unique a classic as Beauty And The Beast or The Lion King. It is emotional, musical, captivating, and inspirational and has a profound moral meaning and beauty.

The story remains mostly true to its Exodus origin. It varies from The Ten Commandments in exploring the relationships between the two brothers who are destined to be enemies. The strength of the movie lies in the strong emotional bonds it depicts between its characters, something which The Ten commandments failed to portray. The animation is lush and vibrant, blending both classic hand-drawn cels and Computer Generated Imagery. The backgrounds and visuals and breath-taking and even the CGI sequences such as "The Parting of The Red Sea" are to be marveled at. Dreamworks artists have adapted a new angular style of character sketching which looks refreshingly beautiful on the silver screen.

Stephen Swartz's music is melodious and meaningful; from the spine-chilling "Deliver Us" to the soul-searching "When You Believe" which won the Oscar for the Best Song in 1998. (though I must say that I love Pfeiffer and Dworsky's version much more than Mariah Carrey and Whitney Houston's pop reprise). An astoundingly deep, sensitive and piercing score almost overrides the film's music; strongly highlighting the sentimental points with its rich orchestral appeal and Ofra Haza's tantalizing choral accompaniments. Nominated for an Academy Award, it deserved the Oscar for the Best Musical Score category (though I would personally have loved to see Goldsmith win his second Oscar for his incredible score of Mulan). Warbeck's score for Shakespeare In Love which eventually won, though appealing, pales before Zimmer's work or Goldsmith's masterpiece. Then again, I have noticed that Oscars go more by popularity than by talent. David Newman's nominated score from Anastasia was most definitely the Best among the Musical scores of 1997, although the Oscar favored The Full Monty, which could not possibly win in any other field where it had been nominated (owing to Titanic) and so walked away with a very undeserving award.

The Prince Of Egypt utilizes a host of acclaimed on-screen actors and actresses; comprising the voice talents of Val Kilmer, Ralph Fiennes, Danny Glover, Michelle Pfeiffer, Jeff Goldblum, Sandra Bullock, Patrick Stewart, Martin Short, Helen Mirren and Steve Martin. It is undoubtedly the most ambitious vocal cast ever assembled for an animated movie. All the actors bring the characters to life with striking warmth and depth. Both Kilmer's as well as Fiennes' work are very praiseworthy.

The DVD offers a excellent anamorphic 1.85:1 video transfer which looks very crisp and colorful. The Dolby digital 5.1 sound makes good use of surround, nicely highlighting the score and special effects. Dreamworks has also recently released a DTS version of the DVD in April, 2003 which is an improvised version of the earlier Dolby release. The special features provide an in-depth look at the making of the movie. Also included are two trailers, "When You Believe" multi-language reel, still galleries, interviews with the cast and a "Basics of the Chariot Race" CGI explanation segment.

The Prince Of Egypt is nothing short of a masterpiece in animation history. The movie is geared more towards the mature audiences and those expecting fast pace fun-oriented stuff will not find it towards their taste. Young children may find some scenes a little disturbing, hence Dreamworks rated the movie a PG. So go enjoy Dreamworks' first animated motion picture, which is a classic to be cherished now and for generations

Excellent Animation and Story
The Prince of Egypt is an excellently animated movie from Dreamworks, with
great storytelling and characters and usually very good music. One doesn't
have to be religious to appreciate this movie (I'm not at all) -- the
emotions expressed by the characters are touching and the conflicts still
relevant.

As far as the animation in the movie goes, it is never less than excellent.
Besides the special effects sections (the parting of the Red Sea being the
most ambitious and breathtaking of all), the character animation is superb.
Each character is different and distinct, with this quality most noticable
when Moses is leading his people. Every person walking behind him, most of
whom have only seconds of screen time, is unique. As an animation
enthusiast, I appreciate this unwillingness to cut corners. Also standout
in this production is the appropriate and effective combination of computer
graphics and traditional hand-drawn animation. The dream/history sequence

that plays out in heiroglyphics on the palace wall is an effective use of
computer graphics in a 3-D setting that wouldn't work as well with
traditional animation, but the movie isn't overburdened by CG shortcuts
that just look fake.

The storytelling is also very well done. I have read reviews that say it
changed the Bible story too much, but the movie flows well and has a good
sense of pacing. Although I've never read the Bible story, the key points
I've heard of are included, and it seems the spirit of the story is intact.

The music, for the most part, is very good as well. "River Lullabye" and
"Through Heaven's Eyes" are beautiful in that they have a more
middle-eastern feel to them, with a broader range of instruments than the
hit "When you believe", which in the ending credits is sung by divas Mariah
Carey and Whitney Houston.

One complaint: The Steve Martin/Martin Short scene is bad, bad, bad. The
characters seem borrowed from too many Disney movies: as snide, snooty
henchmen with no character development, they are also way too modernized to
fit the theme of the story. And their "Playing With the Big Boys" song is
terrible -- I just want to fast-forward through it. That scene
notwithstanding, I think the movie is worth watching, for both children and
adults.

not very good
I know many rated it very high, but this movie was very disapointing. The graphics are not great, the songs are below average at best, the story "more or less" follows the biblical accounts, but worse, the characters are not attractive. I found Moses a reluctant participant, The Pharaoh a good guy and God a little sadistic (perhaps the authors should have emphasised what really went on with slavery, but then this is a film for kids). I shook my head a few times, wondering how such a wonderful and powerful historical account like Exodus could be rendered as lifeless and sadly my kids were just turned off by the story (as was I). My son's comment was "it is so much better when you read it from the Bible" and I have to agree.

I am still waiting for a good account of the Exodus to show up on film. Perhaps (instead of using their imagination to fill in the gaps) the writers should just follow the biblical text when making their movie... It has lasted and will last longer than their films will anyway.

Was the movie a good biblical account? Not bad, but not good either. The author took alot of his own inspiration when making the film. Is the movie good for kids? Perhaps some will like it... But most of the ones I know left the room before the end of the movie.

A Wonderful Movie!!
When I first saw it when I was like 8 or so, I liked it... and now, many years later, I still do! The songs are breathtaking and original, and match the scences. The characters, storyline, colour... oh, the list goes on! It's a fabulous movie! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Look who became a star. Barbie comes to life in this computer-animatedChristmas tale that quite naturally takes the longtime favorite doll into a newrealm. The plot is a slight variation on the traditional ballet based onTchaikovsky's music. Instead of being in an open-ended dream, Barbie and herescort, the Nutcracker (soon to be Ken, natch), are on an adventurous quest.Along the way there are more creatures and derring-do than in the original. Thesole known voice talent, Tim Curry, has a good old time as the Mouse King, andthe animated dancing is gracefully adapted from New York City Balletchoreography. A few clever characters, bright animation, and wonderful musicshould entrance any Barbie fans ages 3 to 9. The 78-minute feature debuted onvideo shortly before playing on CBS in 2001. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (83)

The movie scared my daughter
If you are looking for a great introduction to the classic Nutcracker, don't do it with this movie. Mattel completely revamped it and the movie was filled with scene upon scene with the Mouse King which scared my five year old daughter. She wanted to see Kelly and Barbie and ballet and the land of sweets. The land of sweets was nothing more than a brief look at a destroyed gingerbread village, courtesy of the mouse king. This movie is all about the toys Mattel is trying to sell. I expected sparkles, bright colours and a fun, christmasy Barbie adventure. It was an adventure, but it veered from the traditional Nutcracker. Not enough dance scenes - most of all the traditional ballet scenes were non existant. Barbie doesn't even wear that beautiful pink tutu until the very, very end of the movie. Marzipan the horse just grunts a few times and pulls the characters along boring snowy terrain about three times. The little kelly fairies were cute though, but they didn't contribute to the story very much. The peppermint Kelly only complained about the awful Prince Eric and was then left with a bunch of people to be looked after. I thought it was interesting that the dolls stuck out among everything else. It screams, aren't I adorable? I can be yours for only ... I also come in a three pack along with my other colourful friends. Did you know the little captain candy Tommy doll is actually portrayed as an old mean man in this movie? It's worth to take a look if your curious, but I can't recommend this movie to those who scare easily. If you want the classic Nutcracker tale, look elsewhere.

Sure to be a Christmas classic!
Beautiful. Exquisite. Captivating. There aren't enough superlatives to describe the quality of Barbie's first, and hopefully not last, movie. I bought this for my daughter thinking that it would be fun video for her to watch (Barbie lover that she is at 2 1/2) as the holidays approach. I didn't expect to fall in love with it myself. In amazing computer animation, the Nutcracker is retold through the eyes of Barbie playing both the roles of Clara and the Sugarplum Princess. The story is strong, with lots of action and tenderness: the plotline includes, of course, Prince Eric as the Nutcracker, the Mouse King and his legions, and lots of adorable sugarplum fairies. The dance sequences will take your breath away as the graphics artists have integrated actual footage of the dancing of the New York City Ballet into their computer animated scenes. I only wish there had been more of them, but I will take quality over quantity! A few of the scenes were a little rough for my 2-year old, but really no worse than a Disney movie. Even if you're not a fan of Barbie, pick up this movie for its sheer storytelling and visual value. All in all, I have to say that this is destined to become a favorite for girls (including us moms!) of all ages.

Nut Cracker? Get it? Nut Cracker?
Barbie is ugly. Barbie is one big hecka of a nut. So she's gonna be cracked by her own movie! Get it? NUT cracker? Barbie's a big, stupid nut, and there's a nut cracker, so she's gonna be cracked. YEAH!!!

For the kids, but still a solid effort
"Barbie In The Nutcracker" is primarily for the kids. The music is fantastic and the computer-animated ballet sequences are great, but this is still a "Barbie" movie no matter how you look at it. I commend the "Barbie" people for using great production for the music and ballet, but the animation is a little bit square. Tim Curry is funny as the Mouse King, and the story did manage to hold my daughter's attention. She's two and one-half and didn't find the Mouse King too scary. None of the scenes in this flick are too scary as I recall. The other "Barbie" movies out there(a "Rapunzel" flick and "Swan Lake") have the same top-notch production that this movie has. They also share weak plots that won't hold an adult's attention.

Keep in mind that this is strictly a children's movie. That's the only reason I'm giving it three stars. If I were a two or three year old girl, I'm sure I'd think this is the best movie ever.

And the 'Stupidest Movie Award' goes to...
Barbie: The Nutcracker. As always, Barbie is annoying as ever. She dances and stuff. Yanno, this movie is sooo dumb all I wanna do is kill that doll! I wanna gun her down! She is such a boogerbrain. She is so kind yet so fluffy and cotton-candy like and so GIRLY! Awww! Aw, for PETE'S SAKES! Jeepers, this movie is a gee whiz. A gee whiz dumb! The first thing I will do to this DVD is smash it and thro it in the dung pile. All Barbie dolls are gonna lose their heads. This movie is so so so REALLY bad! oh damn...

Anyway, there is an EASTER EGG in the DVD. Click on the up arrow, 5, 4, 48, 3855, 000, Setup, 9, and you will see outtakes. If you listen VERY closely, you will hear farting sounds. If you watch it in a plasma-screen TV I swear you will faint. That is Barbie farting out there! She trips on dolls too, and she had REALLY BAD BREATH. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Recommended!
This video is brilliant for youngsters! The story is fun, simple and easy to understand. It delivers a good account of the Biblical version that is well presented. My little son has been fixated to the video for the past week and enjoys watching it over and over again. Well Recommended.

Enjoyable animation for big and small
My 21-month old daughter has been viewing and enjoying this tape many times. The characters are so lovable that she feels like imitating them. I have just decided to order a few other videos from the series "The Beginner's Bible" and hope that they will be just as good as this one!

It is great
All Beginner's Bibles are great. My children just love to watch them over and over. They love singing the songs. I know they are learning a valuable important lesson. The whole set is just wonderful. Buy your children the Beginner's Bible videos, you will not be sorry. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Kipper, a loveable, animated dog with a British accent, is on par with perennial preschool favorites Little Bear and Clifford, humble characters involved in ordinary play while reinforcing messages of cooperation, courtesy, and kindness. Drawn in simple lines with floppy ears, Kipper is the creation of England's Mick Inkpen, a prolific children's author (of Threadbear and Wibbly Pig fame) whose books have inspired a Nick Jr. television series. Pools, Parks and Picnics is a collection of seven episodes from the series, with straightforward names like "The Long Walk," "The Swimming Pool," and "The Picnic." The gentle tales are comfortably paced, accompanied by a soft instrumental soundtrack. In "The Gizmo," a bubble blower and a toy boat provide hours of entertainment for Kipper and his pal, Tiger, during an otherwise quiet day. In "Cakes and Tails," Pig agrees to share his triple chocolate cake with Kipper, until a game of hide-and-seek ends in a plateful of crumbs. A magnifying glass offers an up-close look at the wonders of nature in one episode; in another, a water fountain provides cool relief on a hot summer day. There are no crises and no moral dilemmas here. Rather, the sweet antics of childhood are mixed with the fun of friendship and the simplicity of play. Will the characters' British voiceovers play to young American audiences? Youngsters unfamiliar with the King's English may find the accents a bit distracting at first, yet, more likely, delightfully intriguing. (Ages 2 to 5) --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (11)

Wonderful, gentle videos
If anything you have read above appeals to you, do not hesitate. Whip out your credit card and buy every Kipper tape you can find! This is one of the few video series that requires no parental policing and can be viewed by all with delight. The stories are gentle and affectionate and are imbued with the warmth of genuine friendship. The animations are simple but charming. The plots revolve around kid-level problems that are solved with a bit of inventiveness, much consideration, and a dash of bemusement. The characters are well acted without the cloying adults-pretending-to-be-children edge that you find in many US videos; BBC regular Martin Clunes, who does the voice of Kipper, is absolutely amazing. The pacing is suited to very young toddlers yet the stories are engrossing enough for school-age kids.

This is the type of video you like your child to see....
After hearing so many stupid songs and weird voices and annoying lyrics, Kipper is without a doubt a breath of fresh air..my daughter begun showing an interest in the video at 18 months (before this wouldn't hold her attention- too complex)...now at 33 mos., she loves him and I love her to love them...the videos are calm, gentle with cute non violent characters..... the story lines can relate to kids....I have the VHS version which is fine....Everytime she asks to see Teletubbies or something equally as anoying, I try to get her to see one of her 3 Kipper videos instead.....Love those sweeet Brit accents too! : ) I also like that the video is long...not like some 20-30 min. deals....

A Breath of Fresh Air
My daughter has loved Kipper since she was about 10 months old. We were shocked, when at 10 months she actually sat through three episodes of Kipper. We don't encourage a lot of TV viewing, but Kipper is always welcome in our house. It is a nice change from all the other nonsense out there.

Its stories and characters are refreshing in today's fast-paced world. It has a simple animation that will be a relief from all the flashy, fast-paced cartoons. We think this lack of complexity is what first caught our daughter's attention. It isn't violent, it isn't demeaning, and it is worth every cent. I never get tired of watching it with my daughter and how many children's shows can you say that about. At 15 months, she still loves it. We own four of the Kipper DVD's now and love every one of them, but Pools, Parks, and Picnics is one of my personal favorites.

Kipper is a Keeper!
We've been watching Kipper since we discovered him and his pals when we lived in the UK. They are the most non-intrusive, hilarious, precious, and pleasant children's shows. We've got the whole collection, this one being one of our favorites. Strangely enough they don't get on one's nerves after you've heard it in the back of the car for hours on end. That's because, one, the dvds are very long and, two, the music and voices are pleasant to listen to. We've loaned our tapes and DVDs to many of our friends and haven't found a kid yet that didn't love Kipper, Tiger, Pig, Arnold and Sock Thing. The other bonus is Kipper's voice is done by the one and only Martin Clunes.

Hooray for Kipper! One the best kid videos.
When I was browsing at a local store to find a gift for my niece, then 2 years old, I was attracted to the cute, cuddly creatures on the cover of this video. I bought it and watched it with my niece and we both enjoyed it a lot. I have seen many kid videos my niece owned and I find this the most educational, gentle and creative of them all. The cartoons are draw in a watercolor fashion of soft tones and simple colors. The images are uncluttered which helps the young mind to focus on the actions of the characters and their immediate surroundings - a rare treasure for small children today who are constantly bombarded with chaotic media blitz and hyperactive cartoons. The story lines are based on everyday children's activities, which makes them easy to relate to for little children - such as picnicking in the park, playing with friends, outdoor explorations, etc. I have since bought 3 more of the series and am planning to collect them all for my niece. I highly recommend Kipper to parents of young children as a great alternative to the many unhealthy, violent cartoons out there and I assure you, you'll enjoy this cartoon as much as your kids. ... Read more

Description

This animated comedy tells the story of a high-living Las Vegas dog who must suddenly fend for himself when he is cast out into the world. ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Truely a movie for the entire family
Did you ever want a movie that could capture the attention of the children and also keep you in tune with the action? Rover Dangerfield does it, The underlying adult humor is innocent to the child, however makes the adult smirk , not to mention viewing Rover.. Ahh the red tie, the bulging eyes.. makes you think Rodney Dangerfield was in the movie.. If youve got a rainy afternoon and a room full of kids, make the popcorn and enjoy, you wont be disappointed

Good;Great animation,Great voices
When Rover is in Las Vegas,He gets a pare of snake eyes. Then,Rocky sends him down the Colorado River. 2 sailors find him. He's adopted by a farmer and is in love. So? This was made the year I was born;1991.Rodney Dangerfield was in this. And I Don't know but this is a good movie. 1991 is filled with laughter. Better than "Rock-a-doodle" or "All dogs go to heaven" This is great. No one else would take this masterpiece away from kids. You must see it if you've seen it or not.

Rover
It's the best (animated) movie I've ever seen.I saw it for the first time 11 years ago - when I was 7 years old. Great story about dog who got lost and found love...I like it and I would give my life if I could see Rover on DVD.
Sorry about my possibly incorrect English but I come from Czech Republic.

It was SWEET!!!
It was an awesome movie. I have been desperately looking for the super cool film in DVD. Rodney Dangerfield, who played Rover Dangerfield, is an outstanding actor.

This is a funny movie, live from Vegas
This is a great movie including that Rodney Dangerfield plays his own self as a dog, and at the first time, I iike it when the bright lights start to shine to Rover Dangerfield. Why I give this ***** (5 out of 5). ... Read more

Description

**All stories written and illustrated by Kevin Henkes** CHRYSANTHEMUM (Narrated by Meryl Streep; Music composed by Ernest V. Troost): Chrysanthemum thinks her name is absolutely perfect--until the kids at school make fun of her. It takes a special friend to change her classmates’ minds.

OWEN (Narrated by Sarah Jessica Parker; Music composed by Ernest V. Troost): Owen isn’t happy when his parents won’t let him bring Fuzzy, his beloved yellow blanked, to school. Luckily, Owen’s mother has the perfect solution.

A WEEKEND WITH WENDELL (Narrated by Mary Beth Hurt): Sleepovers are usually fun, but spending a weekend with Wendell is anything but fun and games. Sophie shows Wendell that, sometimes, she has to be boss too. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Loved It!
My 4 year old daughter loves all of Henkes' books so when I saw there was a DVD out there with 3 of his stories I snatched it up. Talk about a 3 time winner in our home. My daughter LOVES this DVD, it's her favorite amongst all the other scholastic videos we own and I can see why. Meryl Streep and Sarah Jessica Parker do a wonderful job narrating. I would love to see Sheila Rae the Brave, Chester's Way and any other Henkes book compiled into another DVD.

You get 6 stories: Chrysanthemum, Owen, A Weekend with Wendell (all Henkes), The Picnic, Monty and The Wizard for an hour of enjoyable stories. I highly recommend the DVD for young kids.

The best kids author
Our family has all the Kevin Henkes books, mainly because they appeal to both kids and adults. When I saw that the books were read on DVD, I purchased them without hesitation. These wonderful books are even better when narrated by the likes of Oscar winner Meryl Streep (reading "Chrysanthemum")and Golden Globe winner Sarah Jessica Parker (who narrates "Owen"). Included are a few bonus stories (not Henkes) and an option to read alond with the story (in the same format as a sing-a-long show). A wonderful idea! Also look for books like "Chicka Chicka Boom Boom" and "Goodnight, Gorilla" on DVD published by the same company.

THANK YOU, KEVIN HENKES!!
My daughter Molly loved "Owen" when I bought it for her a year ago. Then I got "Chrysanthemum", then more and more of Henkes' wonderfully delightful, stupendously enjoyable, magnificently superb books. Molly liked them so much, she wanted to rent the video... just assuming EVERYTHING must be available as a video!! Good news, Molly. Now it is!

Of course, when I saw this DVD, I had to order it immediately. I was worried that it would just be pictures from the book with a big-name guest reading the story. I'm happy to say that I was wrong! The animation is simple, flowing gently like Henkes' illustrations. Meryl Streep's reading is a reflection of her well-known talent. She and Sarah Jessica Parker give the readings real heart.

5-year old Molly gives this DVD 5-stars, and so does 8-year old big brother. (And he's a Yu-gi-oh playing, GameBoy-toting, sports-playing "tough guy"!!! It proves that Henkes brings out a gentle humor in everyone!)

Sorry to gush, but this DVD is worth twice what I paid for it. In fact, I just ordered 2 more for gifts. I just hope they follow up with a "Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse" DVD. Or--heaven forbid--a TV show! If you liked the "Little Bear" cartoons, you'll like these. ... Read more

Amazon.com

In a cute and cuddly cartoon character contest, Kipper would come insecond only to Pooh. Add a British bunch of fluffy and feathered creatures tothe show's mix (as seen on Nick Jr.), and the adorable quotient skyrockets, aswe see in Cuddly Creatures. Here, Kipper, Tiger, Jake, Pig, and Arnoldare up to their pastel forepaws in rascally new friends--Jake's bird flies thecoop, a tadpole and a goldfish swap swimming holes, a smart-alecky parrotpretends he's an echo, a mouse makes off with Kipper's cornflakes, then sticksaround for a hide-and-seek match, and a wily hedgehog wanders about confoundingwould-be hunters. Best about Critters is what's not present. All is calmand quiet in Kipper's camp; there are no fits and only minor fusses, a constantin the series that's earned it a trusty following, most likely of mellowed-outlittle kids and their contented caregivers. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Very nice, calm video
With the recent recommendation of the American Pediatric Association of not letting children under the age of two watch ANY Tv and those over two only an hour daily, this video is very calm, relaxing with no high stress interaction within the characters. Fast-fed videos actually are bad for children according to the APA but Kipper is very slow paced, easy to watch like Blues Clues (recommended by the APA). We particularly like the British wit and accents throughout the video series and it's very amusing to see the interactions between Kipper and Tiger. Now, combine this with the Wiggles and we might all wind up with British/Australian accents! This is such a very sweet video, not excitable for children, slow paced and very entertaining.

My first Kipper purchase
This was my first Kipper video that I bought for my daughter who was age 2 1/2 at the time. I was expecting a simple-minded cartoon that would have nothing more than colorful movement on the TV. Instead I was delightfully surprised at the storylines, the playful interaction of the characters and lightheartedness that make Kipper such a great series.

We have had this video for well over a year and my daughter still asks to watch it. It is a wonderfully relaxing show, rather than filled with needless violence or conflict. I highly recommend the Kipper series to anyone with toddlers. It is such a great change from the typical video fare.

Kipper to the rescue
Once again, Kipper has proved the perfect carton to play just before bedtime. And, again, the values of caring and sharing are displayed in such a subtle way that it was easy to mention these themes after the tape while my son was brushing his teeth for bed. Thank the group in England and Hungary(?) for doing these films!! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Peter and the Wolf
This is a very old story, set to music by Prokofiev. It was adapted by Disney as one of ten segments of the animated feature film, "Make Mine Music" in 1946. Narrated by Sterling Holloway (the voice of Pooh) it is the story of a young boy who goes with his pet cat Ivan, duck Sonia, and bird Sasha to catch the wolf. The music has always been a popular way to teach people the value of classical music, and how music can be expressive and teach a story. Each animal and person in the story is expressed by a musical instrument, such as Peter by a string quartet, Grandpa by the bassoon, and the hunters by kettledrums. The piece is hilarious and very well animated. It was edited into a short featurettte for the first time in 1955. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Five is the age when the rules of the grown-up world start to seem sensible and less about wrecking everybody's good time, as Big Little Bill reminds us. In four episodes, each one further reinforcing viewers' good taste for having picked up this four-star Bill Cosby creation, the bald, gap-toothed title tike tiptoes into double-digit-age territories. "Big Kid" is short on action but long on love and learning, as Little Bill and great-grandma Alice the Great while away an afternoon practicing big-kid skills. Little Bill is strutting, peacock proud, in his dad's hat and shoes when panic strikes: Will Alice the Great still love him when he's all grown up? In "Just a Baby," Little Bill wants to cozy up to his baby cousin, but he can't get it right--his tweaks are too rough and his songs aren't sung softly enough. Then, in "The Bills Go to Work," Little Bill punches a pretend time card at the Department of Housing, his dad's version of school, where he sharpens pencils, buddies up to the boss, gets funky to the rhythm of the copy machine, and considers calling a meeting on the importance of circle time. "Miss Murray's Wedding" fuels a day of fantasy for the ring-bearing Little Bill, who doffs his signature "B" T-shirt in favor of a tornado--make that a tuxedo--and step-togethers his way down the aisle. Cosby checks in between episodes for a guessing game that's more like a gigglefest, proving he's still fantasy-parent material all these years after Fat Albert. Little Bill's sunniness alone could captivate any kid over 2; he's no wisecracker, never overly clever. How this series snares grown-ups, though, is through music. A jazzy piano tune threading throughout causes instant, toe-tapping cheer in classic Cosby style. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (6)

It doesn't get any better than Little Bill!
THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU!!! Bill Cosby for creating such a wonderful series of books and videos. Last year while pregnant with our first child I began to look for books and videos that were educational and entertaining which she could watch. So we were quite ecstatic when we came across Little Bill one Saturday morning (Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. Channel 2). Since that day we have purchased every Little Bill book (every series, there are a few) and video. We even have the Little Bill doll. Our daughter has been watching and enjoying Little Bill since she was four months old. She looks forward to Little Bill every day. Already she is familiar with the opening jazz number.

If you looking for a book/video series that is both educational and entertaining that you both can enjoy (where you don't have to worry about the content) THIS IS IT. It has something for both the child and the parent (the jazz touch is great, like Bugs Bunny with the classical music). Not too mention the familiar voices of Ruby Dee, Phylicia Rashad, Gregory Hines, etc.)

We just purchased the Merry Christmas, Little Bill video. The first one will pull at your heartstrings, the second and third are just a fun look at children and their imaginations.

Parents will find themselves wanting to watch Little Bill almost as much as the child. I agree with reviewer Karl W Berner, it is the most entertaining and delightful children's television show airing today.

Good show, but teaches people to be stupid
This is a good show, but it teaches people to be stupid. Little Bill is funny, but in a stupid way. Why would Bill Cosby create such a stupid cartoon? I give this ** (2 out of 5), because this is good except it teaches kids to be stupid.

Little loveable Bill!
Bill Cosby can never go wrong because he cares about kids and all of humanity! I was introduced to Little Bill initially by purchasing Bill Cosby's first collection of Little Bill books before I had a child. I purchased this video for my 3 year old son and he can't get enough! Little Bill's laugh is too cute! My husband and I love to watch the Black family themes and images with bonds of love and friendship that our son experiences with us everyday. Moreover, it's great for all cultures to see...not just African Americans. The music has the "Cosby" jazz touch and great for us adults to tap our toes while we watch. We will continue to build our collection of Little Bill videos for our children to enjoy for years to come.

Little Bill is a BIG hit!
I didn't even know about the series on Nick Jr. when I purchased this video. I just wanted my African-American son to see images with which he could identify. I was surprised and delighted when I watched the video first alone then with my 2 1/2 year old. He loves Little Bill and the values represented in the videos are ones I would like for my little one.

Little Bill a "Big" Hit
The most entertaining and delightful children's televsion show airing today, Little Bill is an adorable little boy with a big heart, and an even bigger laugh. Come join a young boy growing up in New York City with his family, friends, and adventures. You'll laugh. You'll empathize. You'll fall in love with Litte Bill. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Gap-toothed 5-year-old Little Bill radiates with the sunny realism of his creator, Bill Cosby, but a Fat Albert redux this series is not. For starters, pull the strings on each episode's tidy package and you'll find more family than friends. Little Bill's New York apartment, not the local junkyard, is the nexus of his universe and where he works the kinks out of his kindergartner's world alongside his parents, older sister and brother, and the improbably named and ingenious Alice the Great, his great-grandmother. Inside, there's a whole lot of togetherness going on: Me and My Family's four episodes encapsulate a crowded car ride to Super Family Fun Land (a two-parter), the forming of a neighborhood cleanup committee tasked with clearing a trash-strewn lot, and the dusting off of a time-honored family tradition as Alice the Great breaks out her magic quilt to keep the bogeyman at bay. The look of this series also is something of a novelty--it shares the Colorformish quality of its sister Nick Jr. series Blue's Clues, an effect that adds to its producers' keep-it-real commitment. That said, anybody intimate enough with the realness of inner-city strife may not be blamed for criticizing the sedateness of this show. Otherwise, the youngster himself isn't the only likable part of Little Bill. This being a Cosby creation, there's music--vintage-sounding jazz melodies thread through each story, guaranteeing a finger-snapping good time for parents as well as their more preoccupied preschoolers. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (3)

Cosby gives kids yet another gift
First order of business -- the "editorial" reviewer for Amazon says that this show is set in NYC. WRONG, Tammy, the show is set in Cosby's hometown, Philadelphia. Look at the buildings in the frequent skyline shots and figure it out. Anyway, what one finds is a middle class family in a middle class neighborhood, in a city that is just as racially diverse as the cast of kids one sees in this show. In other words, it is true to life.

It is really refreshing to hear an animated child character whose voice (as far as I can tell) is actually *performed by a child*. Again, it adds to the reality. And underlying all that is the simplicity and believability of the storylines. Nothing too presumptuous or grand, but always charming and stimulating.

If I would make a criticism, it is that the series seems to have a lot of preschool messages, for a character who attends school. So some episodes will appeal to younger viewers more than others. Our child is almost 3-1/2 and is developing an interest in the show, but I don't think all the episodes are equally appealing to one that young. Time will tell whether the stories remain appealing, as our child gradually approaches Little Bill's age.

But that's pretty subtle and is a faint criticism. Meanwhile, I think it's fantastic that the same jazzy musical score that appeals so much to us as parents is also appealing to our little viewer.

Yes, toddlers of one race can be fans of cartoon characters of another race. Yes, a simple animation style is adequate to convey life issues that matter to little kids. Yes, toddlers can enjoy jazz soundtracks in their TV diet. Hats off to Cosby and his team, as well as Nickelodeon, for bringing this to the screen.

Now, let's see more episodes on tape and DVD!!!

Outstanding Tapes for Every child
Bill Cosby has done it again. My daughter only wants to watch the Little Bill series. She relates to it as a Black child but also as a little girl watching the trials and excitement thru the eyes of Little Bill. I can't recommend enough. Hopefully, more tapes are forthcoming - there are only 4 out there to date.

Wonderful family video!!
Bill Cosby has done it again!! This video is a real winner!! My 2 1/2 year old son asks to watch this tape everyday. Barney used to have exclusive rule in our house but now he has to share the stage with Little Bill.

It is wonderful seeing Little Bill interact with the rest of his family while delivering important life messages that even young children can absorb. My 10 year old son also enjoys watching this video (even though he probably won't admit it). ... Read more

Description

Sing, dance, and play along with your favorite Disney songs! Learning the words is fun and easy as you sing along to the on-screen lyrics and join your favorite characters in their most memorable musical moments from classic Disney animated and live action films. Disney presents a pair of Academy Award(R)-nominated songs from the spectacular, show-stopping musical ALADDIN, best song nominees "Friend Like Me" and "A Whole New World"! It's a sing-along celebration of friendship also featuring a delightful assortment of songs from Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID, THE JUNGLE BOOK, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, and more! ... Read more

Reviews (3)

You aint never had a video like this.
I remember renting this video when i was in 1st grade and i enjoyed it very much back then,i do not own anymore disney sing along videos as some of them broke or they were gaven away and there where 2 strange things about this video.

1.A non standered musical score was used during the title presintation and not the theme song.

2.After the theme song there was no intro with professer owl saying "And now here's our friend, Jiminy Cricket"after the theme we see Jiminy right away.

Fun
My grandma got me this video when I was only three years old. But now I gave this video away to someone who could use It. I was too old for this video. My grandma says I used to love this video.

Fun...fun...fun...
We have all the "Disney's Sing Along Songs" videos but my daughters love this particular video the most. I honestly enjoy it very much myself. I also like the theme of the video, which is friendship and getting along. It is really a lot of fun to watch...and sing along. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

My daughter loves this movie.
My 3-year old watches this video over and over! It is perfect for young children to help them understand who Jesus is, what 'miracles' are, and to learn about Jesus's miracles recorded in the bible. The songs are great, and the story moves along at a good pace. The video lasts about 30 minutes, but I wish it were longer - it's wonderful!

THIS IS ONE PRECIOUS VIDEO!
What a wonderful way for young children to learn about Jesus's miracles. Some of the stories include Jesus turning water into wine, walking on water, healing the sick, and the resurrection. This video is not only informative, but the songs are adorable! I even find myself singing along! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Another of Disney's efforts to create a quickie animated feature film out of one of its daily TV shows, this one plays like a low-rent reworking of Aladdin. Still, with Scrooge McDuck (voiced by Alan Young) and nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, there's fun to be had. And that includes the genie (voiced by comic Rip Taylor) and the villains voiced by Christopher Lloyd and Richard Libertini. The plot centers on Scrooge's search for lost treasure; the kids come up with the magic lamp with the genie in it, which is sought by an evil magician. Everyone gets into the act of making wishes and seeing them come true, until the bad guy gets a hold of the lamp. Mostly for young viewers. --Marshall Fine ... Read more

Reviews (12)

A Cute Movie, But Limited Viewability
I was always a fan of the DuckTales series as a child, but even then found this movie to be dissapointing. It's a cute movie, and has great characters to work with, but it lacks the charm and fast pace of the show. Kids may become restless watching it (I know I always did) as it tends to drag its feet a bit. Most of the jokes of the Geenie are stale and fall flat.
The familiarity of the classic characters does make it a good comfort movie. I don't care for the central villain, Merlock, who never comes across as particularly menacing, but his sidekick Dijon is a nice addition and provides some comic relief while fitting in with the true DuckTales style.
This movie is worth viewing once or twice, but you might opt to rent it rather than purchase it, as it's not something that will hold your interest if you watch it often.

A Very Good Movie
If you are a fan of the older disney movies, than Treasure of The Lost Lamp is a must have. Even today, I still love to watch this amazing movie. DuckTales Treasure of The Lost Lamp is great for all ages.

The only improvement needed is to make Treasure of The Lost Lamp a DVD. Even on the old VHS, it still deserves a 5 star rating.

i love it!!
this is the best & most underrated disney movie ever... love it as a kid... i wish i would see it ungain... i especially like the part where weddy stuffed animals come to live & attack the genie & run rampant... funny part & the rest of the movie is perfect... dont miss it if u love this stuff

Disney's feature-length DuckTale is a lot of fun
The first of Disney's attempts to make some quick bucks from a feature based on one of their daily TV series, "Treasure of the Lost Lamp" sprawned from the enjoyable 80's cartoon series DuckTales and is likewise animated by the TV department. In this big-screen goround, Scrogue McDuck (Alan Young) travels with his nephews and niece Huey, Dewey, Louie, and Webby (all Russi Taylor) in search of Collie Baba's legendary treasure. They are persued in this quest by powerhungry sorcerer Merlock (Christopher Lloyd) with the reluctant assistance of his henchmen Dijon (Richard Libertini) and escape with their lives - but without most of the treasure. The kids release a geenie in the lamp when Webby is cleaning her "teacup" and have fun making crazy wishes (such as turning Webby's stuffed toys into real live animals.) But Merlock, the geenie's former master, is hot on their trail and hell-bent on reclaiming the lamp and the power of the geenie at any cost.

All this plays out like a workprint version of Disney's classic "Aladdin," which debuted two years after the DuckTales release, but that's not nessesarily a bad thing. There's a lot to like about "Treasure of the Lost Lamp," and a lot of fun to be had here, including many comic moments. Also, the breezy 74-minute runtime is just right for young viewers' attention spans. While the visiuals and somewhat choppy editing are nothing compared to the Feature Animation-created Disney efforts of the time, the movie recaptures the look, feel, and spirit of the TV show, making it good fun for fans and a very worthile watch for others. In fact, it's best to think of this as an episode of the TV show with an extended runtime. When you use that point of view with this film, you'll have a lot of fun following the epiosodic adventures of the characters. The opening sequences while searching for (and finding) the treasure feel a lot like an animated Indiana Jones and it's a shame there wasn't more time put into this part of the story.

All in all "DuckTales" provides a solid, simple and entertaining story, great vocal delivery from all the cast (most noteable in this department is Christopher Lloyd as the villian), and a lot of laughs with genuine humor behind them. Highly reccomended viewing for a lazy afternoon, but this might not stand up to repeated showings unless you're a big fan of the show. If you are a fan, don't hesitate to buy this - you'll be pleased. Others who just want a taste of what the show was like, this will fit the bill nicely and is suited to a rental.

The best movie!
This movie was a childhood classic. This movie is funny, interesting, and it grabs your attention. It's hard to walk away from once you start it, and even though I've seen it dozen's of times there is always something new or something that you never really "saw" what it was. This is definetly a movie every kid should see....at least once. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Another made-for-video sequel to a Disney masterpiece. As with the Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas sequels, most of the recognizable vocal talents return, creating a worthwhile successor to the highest-grossing animated film ever. We pick up the story as the lion king, Simba (voiced by Matthew Broderick), and Nala (Moira Kelly) have a new baby cub, a girl named Kiara (Neve Campbell). Like her father before, she seeks adventure and ends up outside the Pridelands, where lions loyal to the evil Scar (who died in the original) have lived with revenge in their hearts. The leader, Zira (a spunky turn from Suzanne Pleshette), schemes to use her son Kovu (Jason Marsden) to destroy Simba. As luck with have it, Kiara has bumped into Kovu and fallen in love.

This all sounds familiar since all of Disney's straight-to-video sequels have played it very safe, nearly repeating the originals' story, tone, and pace. Perhaps there were too many cooks for this production. Besides the two screenplay credits, there are eight other writers credited for additional written material. The look of the film has none of the surprise of the original but is far superior to other animated videos. In fact, the film played in European theaters.

For kids, the sequel will be a favorite. The comic antics of Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumba (Ernie Sabella) are enjoyable, as is Andy Dick as Nuka, the mixed-up older son of Zira. And there's plenty of action. The best element is the music. Relying on more African-influenced music, the five songs featured are far superior to those in Disney's other sequels. Zira'ssong of revenge, "My Lullaby," was cowritten by Buffy the Vampire Slayer creator Joss Whedon. The standout opening number, "He Lives in You," was created for the Lion King Broadway smash and now finds a whole new audience. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (188)

Six stars out of five!
The Lion King II-Simba's Pride is a better than excellent movie! I really loved it. I watched it at a friend's house a few months ago and we all loved it. Simba is grown up and has mated with his childhood sweetheart Nala. He has a daughter, Kiara, who wanders onto the territory belonging to Scar's mate, Zira. She starts playing with Zira's son, Kovu, but soon Zira finds out and she snarls and all. Simba comes to the rescue and forbids Kiara to go there again. Kovu is sent to Simba's territory to live there and kill him. But, like any Disney movie, Kovu and Kiara fall in love! It's about the relationships between Kiara and Kovu and Simba and Kovu. In the end there is a fight, but I'm not going to tell you who dies or lives! Watch this movie that brings The Lion King back to life!

Dark...dark is good...
Okay. I loved the "The Lion King". I was tickled silly when I heard of "The Lion King 2". I rushed to Blockbuster and rented it when I was eight.

I...was...hooked...

Then I saw it at a friends house four years later.

I...was...still...hooked...

Now I have it on DVD and I watch it whenever I get the chance.

There isn't really anything bad I can say about this movie. However, I would not recommend it for children under seven. I'm actually quite surprised it's not rated PG at the very least.

"The Lion King 2" is actually a pretty dark story, about Kovu, Scar's heir who was destined to follow in his pawprints and become king.

Nuka, Kovu's brother and Scar's son (Kovu is NOT Scar's son!), is quite jelous and is always trying to impress his mother, Zira, to make her change her mind.

Zira is the bad lioness of the story.

Meanwhile at Pride Rock Simba's daughter, Kiara, is destined to become future queen. But Simba is a little...over-protective.

Zira trains Kovu to kill Simba.

But as the story progresses, and his chances of killing Simba and Kiara grow nearer, Kovu cannot bring himself to do it.

You know, the usual stuff.

This is a VERY dark and emotional story. But good just the same!

Rent or buy? - Buy. No questions there.

Oh, Disney, Why?
Lame.

The concept was nice enough, I suppose. But I found the move to be lacking in so many ways. The music made me wince - that was probably one of the worst things in the film. The songs were completely forgetable, and cheap.

Don't get me wrong - I adored the Lion King. And I thought it was interesting to have the daughter fall in love with Scar's son. But it was a poor follow up to that wonderful first film.

Well, I guess it's ok....
I've never really liked Disney sequels (ie, Peter Pan 2, Pocahontas 2, Little Mermaid 2, etc...), but this one is an exception. The story follows the adventures of Simba's daughter, Kiara. All she wants to do is explore the Pride Lands unsupervised, but her father fears for her safety. One morning little Kiara goes wandering off too far, ends up in the forbidden "Out Lands", and meets another young cub named Kovu. They become great friends against Simba's and Zera's (Kovu's mom's) wishes. It's pretty much a total conflict between the Pride Landers and the Outsiders, ending up with Kiara and Kovu having to solve the problem. The story isn't too bad, but Disney sequels can always use some improvement, as usual. My sister and I still have fun pretending to be Kiara and Kovu. And the animation isn't top notch, but it's good. To round it all out, I think the kids will probably enjoy it. Go ahead and give it a try, but I can't promise you that you'll like it. Me and my sis have always enjoyed it ever since we bought it though, so I'm sure somebody in the family will love it. :)

Surprisingly Good Sequel to the 1994 Classic
Yeah, I know that this direct-to-video sequel was put out to cash in even more so on the original, which itself grossed over $300 in U.S. box office receipts to become the most successful Disney film ever! However, after watching this a couple of years back and revisiting it today, I know that there was another, much better, reason: four years after THE LION KING, we were all missing the characters...and we were hungry for more. As much as us fans of the original did not want the possibility of having the franchise tainted by an inferior sequel, it seemed to be worth the risk.

And it was. In 1998, Disney got most of the principal voice-over actors back from the original---Matthew Broderick as Simba, Moira Kelly as Nala, Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella as Timon & Pumbaa, respectively, and of course, Robert Guillaume as the hilarious Rafiki---and made THE LION KING II: SIMBA'S PRIDE, which follows our favorite Lion hero (and King) & family as they pick up from where they left off in the first film. Now Simba is the King and his young offspring is a lioness cub named Kiara; he's the worried dad in this one, always fearing for the safety of the young precocious girl, but they're nevertheless a happy family just the same. Of course, danger lurks in the shadows, as Zira (Suzanne Pleshette---yes, *that* Suzanne Pleshette), the villainous ex-mate of Scar, is training her young son Kovu to grow up to avenge Scar's death by killing Simba. However, Rafiki, the silly-acting but nevertheless wise monkey, finds out to his horrified amazement that Kiara and Kovu are destined for each other. Sure enough, Kiara and Kovu meet each other as cubs and take an immediate strong liking to each other. Can true love overcome true evil?

This film, by itself, is very well-written and acted, with excellent production values for the fact that it is a direct-to-video sequel. It has really no flaws of its own, just one obvious inconsistency between it and the first film: Scar's 'ex-mate' Zira (and, by extension, Kovu) simply did not exist in the original THE LION KING! She was obviously made up just to have a sequel. However, this is the only major thing to overlook, and if you can forgive this movie for it, then you should be able to easily enjoy yourself. As I said, this is a good animated movie, and I recommend it for any fan of the original. This sequel isn't quite as dark; however, I still would not recommend showing it to very young kids. Suzanne Pleshette does a surprisingly good job as the evil, scheming, vengeful Zira (basically a female versdion of old Scar himself). Neve Campbell does a solid job as the voice of the adult Kiara, and Jason Marsden does excellently as the conflicted Kovu, who wants to do good, but...he made a promise to his mother...didn't he?!

Listen, THE LION KING II: SIMBA'S PRIDE is not the masterpiece that THE LION KING is...however, it is much better than it perhaps should be. Fans of the original should definitely own it.

RECOMMENDED, AGES 8 & UP ... Read more