Reviews (5)

My review of The Magic School Bus: For lunch
Let me begin by saying that this is all a fantasy. Or pretty much everything in this video. But maybe again, this all could be not true. First of all shrinking a bus. Now if your teacher let you stay behind while the rest of your class goes on a field trip, would you be happy, and then get suspicious about your teacher letting you stay behind. When The Magic School Bus begins, Arnold (voiced by Danny Tamberlli) is helping Wanda (Lisa Yamanaka) break a record to get two free tickets to action mountain, and to get to get the free tickets, you have to chew gum for over 6 hours. Wanda could have done the chewing, but she got a new filling. But Arnold shallows the gump when Wanda hits, him, she gets kinda mad with him. Then Arnold's teacher Ms. Frizzle (Lilly Tomlin) announces that they are heading for a field trip, and then Ms. Frizzle lets Arnold stay back, but while Arnold enjoys his favorite snack (cheezie wheezies), little does he know that Ms. Frizzle has shrunk the bus and the rest of Arnold's classmates in the bus and the bus goes into Arnold's mouth. Which in real life, could never happen. The class goes really fast though Arnold's digestion system (but it takes over 10 hours to digest). But please remember this is a 30 minute show, and they had to make them go though it really fast. If you or your kids love The Magic School Bus, get this tape, or this would be good to watch if you ever wanted to learn about the digestive system, this would be another good reason to watch, but if you wanted to learn more about the other systems in the body, then you have to find something else to watch or take a trip to learn more about the body.

Our 4 Year Old Loves This Video!
We have purchased this and all other available MSB videos. This one is one of my child's favourites. It focuses on the human digestive system. He has been watching this video since he was 2 and can tell you all about the digestive tract, villi, and the rest. I highly recommend this video and most in this series.

It Was Interesting
It helps me see what's inside you. Sometimes it made me laugh. I recommend for parents to buy it for their kids.

What a ride!
Imagine going for a wild ride from a mouth on down! Thats just what a bus load of kids did! What better way for kids to learn where all that food goes! There is suspense for the adults too! Just how is the producer going to handle the subject of the bitter end? All I can say is they always have the best way of explaning things to kids!

A wonderful introduction to the digestive system
This is a wonderful video for young children. My 4 and 6 year old loved it. It is a descriptive and fun adventure inside the digestive system, showing the process food goes through as it enters our mouth. It is fun and entertaining and the children learn a great deal about digestion. I am a nutritionist and food scientist myself and I recommend this video to all parents. I think this is a great introduction for the children. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Sick? MSB to the rescue!
Ms. Frizzles team of reporter kids is going to get the "inside story". Ralphie is sick with a sore throat and the bus is going in! They see bacteria destroying Ralphie's throat cells. They see white blood cells marking the bacteria with antibodies and consuming them! It is a war worth watching! And when the "backup support" (medicine) arrives the battle is being won! An exiting way for kids to understand what happens in there when they get sick!

A Magic School Bus trip through the body of a child
This video teaches young children about the inner workings of the human body in an entertaining and informative format. It is suitable for pre-schoolers through lower elementary grades. The video is approximately 30 min. in length. ... Read more

Description

Sing, dance, and play along with your favorite Disney songs! It's fun and easy as you read the on-screen lyrics and join your favorite characters in their most memorable musical moments! Sing along to the happiest songs on earth at the happiest place on earth -- Disneyland! Your host, Mr. Owl, invites you to celebrate a musical day with all your favorite Disney friends. Join Mickey and Minnie for fun and thrills as they hustle and bustle behind the scenes at the park! Then get a front-row seat on some of the wildest rides, like Star Tours, Splash Mountain and the Matterhorn, with Chip 'n' Dale, Roger Rabbit, and a Magic Kingdom filled with sing-along adventures. ... Read more

Reviews (16)

Fun for ALL ages! (seriously)
My 2+ year old has loved this video since he was 9 months old, and it's STILL his favorite kids' (non-movie) video!

We bought a couple other Sing-A-Longs after this (Campout at Walt Disney World, and the Disneyland: Happy Haunting one), and they don't compare to this one. Those videos star cheesy kids who "act" for the camera and try to be cute. The kids in this video are really there to simply help create the environment, even though you see the same group of kids throughout the video.

Plus, this video concentrates more on the characters and the attractions, than the kids (during the Haunted Mansion song, it stars only the Villians and you practically ride the entire ride!). Which makes it fun for adults and fans of Disneyland - it plays like a Disneyland home video! Also, this was filmed around 1989-1990, just after Splash Mountain opened. Which means you get to see several attractions and restaurants that are no longer there: the Rocket Jets, People Mover, and Submarine - all in pre-1998 Tomorrowland.

My wife and I agree that the songs are also pretty good, even the original ones ("Making Memories" and "Walking Right Down the Middle of Main Street, USA" come to mind).

If you're a fan of Disneyland and Disneyland videos (especially to get you in the mood before a vacation there), this is a must-own.

Wonderful alternative to cartoons!
This is a nice change from the animated sing along videos. My 23 month old daughter asks for this video everyday! The video features many of the Disney Characters singing and dancing around Disneyland. My daughter loves Mickey Mouse and Pooh. She also loves to dance around with the music. The only caution is the Haunted Mansion scene might bother children that scare easily. It's not "scary" but it features some of the Disney Villians and the Grim, Grinning Ghost music from the Haunted Mansion attraction. It depends on your child. The rest of the video is wonderful!

THIS WAS GREAT !!!!!!!
I love this movie. It is the best thing sence Thomas the Tank Engine.I love the Grim Grining Ghost song. To bad it was the shortest one.I am ten and I have loved sence I was two.

Great Video
We have had this video for over 11 years when my older children were babies. They loved it. We kept it and brought it out whenever our younger nieces and nephews came over, and they loved it. We now have 1 year old twins who love watching this video. My older children still sing all the songs with their younger brothers. It's great! However, I could not find this video in stores. I ordered 5 copies online to give as gifts to my friends. This movie put us in the mood for a trip to Disney!!!!

The happiest place on earth now on home video.
I had this video since 1991 but it broke so i dont have it anymore and whenever i watched it i felt like i was in disneyland.
to me it's not a sing along it's an advertisment for disneyland. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

There is greatness in film that can be discussed, dissected, and talked about late into the night. Then there is genius that is right in front of our faces--we smile at the spell it puts us into and are refreshed, and nary a word needs to be spoken. This kind of entertainment is what they used to call "movie magic," and there is loads of it in this irresistible computer animation feature. Just a picture of these bright toys on the cover of Toy Story looks intriguing, reawakening the kid in us. Filmmaker John Lasseter's shorts (namely Knickknack and Tin Toy, which can be found on the Pixar video Tiny Toy Stories) illustrate not only a technical brilliance but also a great sense of humor--one in which the pun is always intended. Lasseter thinks of himself as a storyteller first and an animator second, much like another film innovator, Walt Disney.

Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas

... Read more

Reviews (81)

Toy Story
1995's "Toy Story" was the first feature length film generated entirely by computers, and Pixar's first dive into theatrical films. The movie opens as young Andy turns 7. The undisputed leader of Andy's toys, a 50's cowboy doll named Woody (Tom Hanks), finds himself challenged by the new toy on the block, "space ranger" Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen). When Woody's plan to get rid of Buzz backfires, the two find themselves lost in the suburbs. Woody and Buzz relize they have to work together to get back to Andy's, and they eventually become the best of friends. The humor and animation is terrific, and a great start for Pixar. This lead to several other successes, such as A Bug's Life and Finding Nemo.

Now on to "the vaults". Disney is trying to squeeze every last penny out of the cash cow, and have the two Toy Story films under lock and key, no doubt so they can sell millions of "Special Editions" in five years. Once again, Disney appalls me with their unmatched corperate greed. In conclusion, Toy Story is an excellent film and a true must-see.

The Secret Lives of Toys Revealed
"Toy Story" is a modern fairy tale created with appropriately modern computer animation. Its snappy dialougue will appeal to adult viewers, the spectacle of fantastic toys coming to life will appeal to children, and adults may wax nostalgic about the toys they enjoyed as children, several of which are featured in this movie.
The story revolves around a cowboy doll named Woody, and his imminent replacement as the favorite toy of his owner, Andy, by Andy's new Buzz Lightyear doll, a multigadgeted gift that Andy receives for his birthday.
Tom Hanks'personality shines through in the persona of Woody, and Tim Allen's voice lends the right amount of charisma to Buzz.
In the process of forming an eventual friendship, the characters go through a lot of antagonism and a lot of other real human emotions. As they prepare for life in a new home, they are imperiled by the sadistic kid next door named Sid, into whose clutches they fall by accident.
It's entertaining to watch the toys interact with each other.
Buzz gradually learns that he is simply a child's plaything and not the noble space crusader he fancied himself to be in the beginning, and Woody learns to share his special place in Andy's heart. A great supporting cast including Annie Potts as Woody's sweetheart, Bo Peep, Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head, Jim Varney as Slinky, Wallace Shawn as Rex, John Ratzenburger as Ham, and Laurie Metcalfe as Andy's mother help fuel this tale.
Seeing this innovative film made me want to buy dolls of Woody and Buzz as collector's items. But I am content with just a copy of this movie. The second installment of the "Toy Story" saga is an enhancement of the first one, and just like the first, nothing short of delightful.

Original and fun for the whole family!
This movie took me by storm when I saw it back in the summer of 1995 at the theatres and let me tell you, this movie is still one of the best computer animated movies of all time. In fact this movie shattered new grounds back in 1995 by not using drawing cel animation and instead this movie is the first of an unbroken chain of computer generated animated movies that has continued to date with "Finding Nemo".

The plot is absolutely joyful and stunningly original. The story revolves around the quiet family home of a quiet town where a boy owns numerous toys with his toddler sister. The toys however, are almost like beings of their own and are 'living' as well but stop 'moving' when the boy comes back into his room. However, a cowboy named Tim is the most popular 'toy' in the boys bedroom and is kept by the pillow almost every night until on his birthday, he gets a fancy astronaut toy named Buzz Lightyear who has many 'gizmos' and in time takes over the toy cowboys place as the most popular toy and Tim gets enormously jealous of this. However, after a botched attempt to remove Buzz, the cowboy himself along with Buzz end up in the hands of a punk teenager who takes joy in blowing up toys with firecrackers and or other means like burning, breaking, or smashing them and/or even taking them apart and re-assembling their parts to create 'mutant' toys and now the clock is ticking for Tim and Buzz to escape from the boys house before they end up being blown to molecules.

This movie is absolutely fun and original even by 1995 standards. The computer generated special effects are innovative and unbelievable especially considereing the fact that this movie came out nearly a whole decade ago. The whole tone of the movie is just fun and charming and is for the entire family. Not only that but this was what put the then newcomers Pixas right into the front seat of movie animation and would be the start of an unbroken streak of excellent movies from this dynamite team.

Computer animation wow. 16th april 2004.
The toys are great, the graphics and scenery is too. The collectables are boys mostly but the film is ace for anyone. The 3D toys look real, the colors are excellent[like finding nemo]. The talking toys are all friends, and they live with their owner andy.

Hit Me With Another One!
Give me another Toy Story and while your at it lets go for a 5th. Wow lets see...Tom Hanks and Tim Alan...Pixar and Disney...Go get it or miss out! ... Read more

Reviews (301)

the finest family movie to ever come out of Japan
Master filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki has created a delightful work of sheer beauty in My Neighbor Totoro. The story centers around two girls who move into the countryside with their father. Their mother is in the hospital, and when she seems to be getting better, she has a relapse. An urgent telegram is sent to the house, where it is read by Satsuki (the older sister). Neither child knows how to react to this; Mei runs away, and it is up to Satsuki and the Totoro of the forest to find her.

I first saw this movie when the original Fox VHS came out (I was about 5 at that point, and got it as a Christmas present), and continue to be enchanted by it today. As soon as I heard that it was being released on DVD, I ordered a copy, but alas, I should have waited.

To those of you who have the VHS and are considering the DVD, and even to those who have the Fox DVD, I strongly reccomend ordering a copy of the Disney/Studio Ghibly version. It is true that dubbing a movie can do tremendious injustice to a foreign film, and the Japanese language track is a feature that should have been included on the Fox release. Also note that the second disk will be packed with features, including storyboard drawings, cast interviews, and a myriad of other interesting morsels.

Fantastic Animation -- Unforgivable Treatment
My Neighbor Totoro is one of the greatest animated films ever produced (for children or otherwise). It is a film that devoted fans such as myself love sharing with children and friends (I even teach it in my Children's Literature class.)
----The delicacy of Hayao Miyazaki's tale of two young girls who must cope with the stresses of moving to a new house, neighborhood and school--while their mother is kept in a hospital for a problem they do not understand!--is extraordinarily well-told through delightful and surprising events and beautiful animation. That the girls need the friendship and support of their father, the neighbors and the Totoros (friendly nature spirits) is subtly presented and then heroically answered through Miyazaki's unforgettable imagery.
---But you'll have to trust me on that because a good portion of that imagery has been butchered away through the pan-and-scan process. Not only have the producers of this DVD version cut away much of the visuals but they have also left off the Japanese language track and given us a rather pale transfer.
----English speaking kids deserve to see this better-than-Disney film. They deserve to view the widescreen version and they deserve the option of hearing the dubbed version (if they cannot yet read) OR hearing it in it's original language while reading subtitles. A quality production would offer these things and more.
----This DVD offers a Masterpiece, but a badly Mistreated one----

Marvellous film, but beware this Fox release
Charm, wisdom and beauty - Miyazaki style. "Totoro" is a real winner for all the family, but I would advise prospective buyers to wait for the Disney/Buena Vista release later this year. This Fox version is full-screen, cutting down the viewing area, and is only available with English dubbed voices (the original Japanese with subtitles offers much more subtle performances for parental viewing!)

Blown Away By the Mighty Voice of Totoro!
I have spent the past day wondering what has gone wrong with children's entertainment, particularly American kids fare. This movie is, quite simply, awesome. Granted, there's that one iffy bath scene early in the movie, but I'm willing to overlook it because the rest of the movie is mind blowing beauty. This is the antidote to the usual American kid show, in my opinion. It is subtle, beautiful, simple, and yet complex. It is charming, wholesome, real, and superb. This is the breakthrough film for Miyazaki in America and I can see why.

Enchanting!
"My Neighbor Totoro" is a beautiful film, comprised of lovable characters, decadent animation, and a plot choc-full of magical fun. It is simply marvelous!

I was first introduced to Totoro in about the fourth grade, when we watched this movie at Japanese School. I remember wishing that I could live at the house that Mei and Satsuki live in so that I could see real dust bunnies and follow acorn trails to little Totoros. Some years later, I am still enchanted by Totoro's huge smile, the flying cat bus, and the amazing trees in the girls' backyard.

Although there are some dramatic moments in "Totoro" (i.e. visiting Mother in the hospital, Mei running away, etc.), it is still a movie that you will want to watch time and time again. This is family entertainment at its very best!

If you're looking for more great Japanese animated movies, try "Castle in the Sky" by Hayao Miyazaki. :) ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Very entertaining! My preschooler can't get enough of it.
This is the very first Magic School bus video I bought for my 3.5 year old. He loves it. He watches it again and again. Now he is hooked on Magic school bus videos. The video shows where honey comes from in an entertaining way that captured his attention. An educational video that invites him to wanting to learn more about it.

Mostly Inaccurate, But Get A Kick Out Of The Fun!
Now, I've enjoyed "The Magic Schoolbus" series since I was a kid (I'm a teen now - get it?). And I must say, its adventure in the beehive is one of the most exciting I've ever seen, which made me so glad to find this episode on video, so that I could share the pleasure I had with my little brother.

The schoolbus "In A Beehive" mainly but vaguely discusses the various tasks of the bees in a typical hive, from the transportation of honey, to the conscientious care of the Queen Bee. Again, most of the facts are inaccurate, coupled with a fictitious plot that "swarms" the whole point of being informative (pardon the pun). But, hey, you still have a great theme song, with the whole class gang, and the ever-adored Miss Frizzle whom I really want to have as my teacher! This "stinging" story of the "pests" in nature still gives a rather endearing tale as to why bees, well, sting. So, it's really no harm to go BUZZ OFF and get this video. Mainly for the little ones, though - the "big" people may just brush this off as childish scientific ridicule. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Once upon a time kids learned many of their school lessons in the three-minute episodes of Schoolhouse Rock. These educational cartoons came on during the commercial breaks of the less-than-edifying Saturday morning fare in the 1970s, and despite their healthy content, kids stayed glued to the screen to sing along to the somewhat psychedelic cartoons. Countless children hummed their way through social studies. The Preamble to the Constitution is much easier to remember when it's set to music. And everyone who saw the cartoon remembers how a bill becomes a law ("Oh, I'm just a bill, a lonely old bill, sitting here on Capitol Hill").These and eight other shorts make up America Rock, a 30-minute program that will stir patriotism and teach kids a bit of history.Whether you're an adult who remembers fondly his Schoolhouse Rock days or a parent trying to help a child with school, this selection will have you singing that "knowledge is power." A bonus cartoon of "My Hero Zero," performed by the Lemonheads, is included at the end. --Jenny Brown ... Read more

Reviews (44)

No More Kings-An fun and educational video
Jason Goode
Period 4
11/4/02

It was one of the most significant events in American History when the Americans revolutionized against the British. The Schoolhouse Rock version of this event, entitled "No More Kings", is very entertaining and educational for children between the ages of seven and ten. It was appropriate and fun for the following reasons. Firstly, the creators simplified the events, therefore making it easier for children to comprehend. Secondly, it is illustrated with humorous cartoons, so that it is fun to watch and listen to. In addition, it is simply is educational, and will give kids a jump start on American History. Lastly, since the song is shown on television, the events in history, such as the Boston Tea Party were drawn out. Visuals always help young children remember things. As parents or teachers can tell, "No More Kings" is a great way to get kids or students to learn our country's history while having fun.

Schoolhouse Rock - The Shot Heard Round the World
It was one of the most significant events in American History when the Americans revolutionized against the British. The schoolhouse Rock version of this event, entitled "No More Kings", is very entertaining and educational for children between the ages of seven through ten, It was appropriate and fun for the following reasons. Firstly, creators simplified the events, therefore making it easier for children to comprehend. Secondly, it is illustrated with humorous cartoons, so that it is fun to watch and listen to. In addition, it is simply educational and will give kids a jump start on American History. Lastly, since the song is shown on television, the events in history, such as the Boston Tea Party, are drawn out. Visuals always help young children remember things. As parents and teachers can tell, "No More Kings" is a great way to get children and students to learn our country's history while having fun.

Homeschooling mother of five
Well, i am here to say this is a fabulous tool! I watched all of these as a child and have shared them with my children. For those of you with the less than 5 star reviews let me say...This is not meant to be an exhaustive history lesson! It is a great way to introduce children to the history of our country. Something that, in my experience, schools made very boring. My children love history. If you find it not as accurate then be the one to take the next step and research it with your kids. I would agree it is geared toward younger kids but not that older kids would find it "stupid" at all! These reviews were pretty harsh. Also, the pilgrims DID plant food. Yes, the indians taught them everything and saved them but i wouldn't call that an inaccuracy. The movie just didn't get that deep into it. Come on now it is only a half hour! I highly recommend this to children of all ages. It opens the door to questions and conversations about our country that may not be raised otherwise. The music is very catchy and stays with you. It is plain and simple fun while being educational at the same time. Don't let the negative reviews sway you. This is a great video series and I highly recommend it!!

Schoolhouse Rock! teachers U.S. history and government
All right, boys and girls, here is a little ditty that has got to jog your memory:

I'm just a bill,
Yes, I'm only a bill,
And I'm sitting here on Capitol Hill.
Well, it's a long, long journey
To the capital city,
It's a long, long wait
While I'm sitting in committee,
But I know I'll be a law someday...
At least I hope and pray that I will,
But today I'm still just a bill.

"Schoolhouse Rock! America Rock" collects the mini-cartoons ABC aired on the television in the mid-1970s and taught a generation of children about government and history (as well as grammar, science, and math in other rock counterparts). The ten America rocks are done in pretty much chronological order, with "No More Kings," "Fireworks" and "The Shot Heard 'Round the World" covering the founding of America, the Declaration of Independence, and the start of the American Revolution. I would be willing to bet that most of the kids in this country who can recite the Preamble to the Constitution learned it from "The Preamble" (or the "Star Trek" episode "The Omega Glory"). "Elbow Room" covers America going West while "The Great American Melting Pot" celebrates American diversity. Great American inventors get their due in "Mother Necessity" and "Sufferin' till Suffrage" covers women getting the right to vote. But the most popular one here has got to be "I'm Just a Bill," which explains how a bill comes a law in terms so simple that even a first term Congressman could understand it. "Three-Ring Government" explains the separation of powers between the three branches, and then there is also a bonus video of the Lemonheads doing "My Hero Zero."

Granted, American History might not lend itself to 3-minute lessons as well as basic principles of grammar or mathematics, but these are still so much fun. Too bad there were not more of these (how would Schoolhouse Rock! have explained the Civil War or the Great Depression?), because they are just a lot of fun and then do a great job of driving a few essential points home in each lesson. "America Rock" is just the hook. It is up to history teachers and parents to provide the line. Even for more advanced students teachers can get some mileage out of these by showing them to students and either getting them to critique these (what inventors should be added?) or to be creative and write the script for their own (e.g., "Andy Jackson says no thanks to the National Bank!").

This is awesome dude
School House Rock is mad awesome cool! I love all the song, like i'm just a bill. i memorized the preamble cause of the preamble song thing. peace ... Read more

Amazon.com

How many movies offer the rare spectacle of a parasailing pink starfish flying over a crowd with a congratulatory pennant clenched between his buttcheeks? And that's only the tip of the iceberg--The SpongeBob SquarePants Movie is a freewheeling goof of a cartoon, full of surreal twists as its diminutive heroes head down a dangerous road to rescue the lost crown of King Neptune. SpongeBob (voiced by Tom Kenny), an arrested adolescent in the mold of Pee-wee Herman, works at a fast-food restaurant that serves something called Krabby Patties (as the restaurant owner is himself a crab, it's not clear what exactly they're made of). His best friend Patrick Starfish (Bill Fagerbakke) lives under a rock and has an IQ in the lower digits. Still, their friendship carries them through many a tight spot as they strive for manliness. Anyone seeking a coherent world will be disappointed; in this undersea adventure, things catch on fire or seem to be surrounded by air whenever it's convenient for a gag. The jokes are often more silly than actually funny, but there's an undeniably energetic joviality to the proceedings. Featuring the voices of Scarlett Johansson, Jeffrey Tambor, Alec Baldwin, and a fully fleshed appearance by David Hasselhoff. --Bret Fetzer ... Read more

Reviews (161)

Adorably Sweet and Funny To Boot!
The animation was perfect, the plot was funny as well as interesting and (at times) touching, and the music rocked!!

I think you'll also find the new characters quite charming, especially the sweet and beautiful Princess Mindy (who SHOULD be Spongebob's romantic interest, not Patrick's...but, ah well.).

This movie is definatley wonderful... I give two thumbs WAY, WAY up!

Sometimes EXTREME ignorance can be charming!
I am a big fan of the TV series; unfortunately, the movie is not nearly as entertaining to me. If you enjoyed "An Extremely Goofy Movie" or maybe "The Care Bears Movie" then you might want to chance it, but if you're expecting the TV show forget it. The most interesting thing about this movie to me is that it drew someone like p kitts out from under whatever rock he/she was hiding. Word creations like "lagh" (used 5 times), "houp" for "hope," "seen" for "scene," and "though" for "tough," when teamed with expressions such as "i seen it 2 times," etc., are funnier than anything in "The Spongebob Squarepants Movie"! Just funny, funny stuff! And I don't mean any disrespect, honestly. I just wish the movie had entertained me as much as that review!

Spongebob's Biggest Adventure Yet!
King Neptune somehow misplaces his crown and suspects it was stolen. He then goes to Mr. Krabs, who is a crab {obviously}, and the owner of the restaurant the Krusty Krab. He is also egomaniacal. Spongebob and his friend Patrick who is a starfish agree to go find the crown so King Neptune would be happy. {It's nice to not have commercials in between the movie too}. But, Mr. Krabs nemisis, Plankton, hires a guy {more like a tough biker} to go after Spongebob.

loved it , two tumbs way up!!
I love this movie i seen it 2 times in the theaters, and bought it when it came out.For allmost a month i watched evey night ,and somtimes throughout the day.Even adults can love this.My favorite seen is when spongebob sings "Goffy gober rock" when it showes patrick with tights on LOL. I laghed untill I allmost cried ,but when i seen it the second time i didnt lagh,but i was expecting eveyone else to lagh but no one laghed.(must have been a though crowd), if you have not seen it you must at least rent it,or buy it if you are a spongebob fan like me or anyone else,houp you like it!

Good L-o-L Fun
there are some good jokes in this film and funny scenes. Worth the buy, that simple. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Admit it: if it weren't for Schoolhouse Rock, you probably couldn't recite the preamble to the Constitution, and you might be fuzzy on the function of conjunctions, too. All the more reason to cue up the 30th-anniversary video, which culls 25 fan-selected favorites ("I'm Just a Bill," "My Hero Zero") plus a new, informative and wacky Electoral College number. The countdown, kind of like Casey Kasem's of the same era, reaches out to old-school Schoolhouse Rockers with instant recognizability (number 25 is the frontier-busting "Elbow Room"), but better yet, the science, math, grammar, and history bits burst through the decades dust bunny-free--verbs are still happening, and Interplanet Janet's intergalactic gusto still seems groovy. Turn it off halfway though and a flurry of interjections from a new flock of 4- to 10-year-olds may fly. --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (13)

Schoolhouse Rock Rocks my house!
This Video has most of my favorites - Conjunction Junction, I'm just a bill, you know them. It's amazing that in 25 years no one's been able to top them.
I wonder how many high school seniors know as much as a kid who watches these videos about history, science, grammar, and math. I prefer DVD, but whatever.
My kids watch it all the time. I like it too. The songs are as fun. These clever rhymes are unforgettable, but unlike some annoying kid's songs, you don't really want to forget these.
I really feel like my kids need to be informed about the Bible too, (whatever they choose to believe later), so I have also been thrilled that they made a CD and DVD called
Scripture Rock.

School House Rock!
I like the songs. I saw these when I was in my 10 or 13yrs old. I like to see these cartoon on DVD.

I love when my kids love Schoolhouse Rock and Scripture Rock
My kids love this tape. I'm amazed at how these songs hold up year after year. - Conjunction Junction, I'm Just A Bill- those are the best but the others are good too.
I got this for them and noticed that the made a Schoolhouse Rock for Bible called Scripture Rock and my kids love both Schoolhouse Rock and Scripture Rock.

List of Songs
This is a list of all the songs in the video. This list is arranged by subject. In the video, the songs are arranged by popularity.

America Rock:
Elbow Room
Mother Necessity
Great American Melting-pot
No More Kings
The Shot Heard 'Round the World
The Preamble to the Constitution
I'm just a Bill (my personal favorite)
special bonus: Electoral College

Grammar Rock:
Verb
Rufus Xavier Sasparilla (pronouns)
Unpack your Adjectives
A Noun is a Person, Place or Thing
Interjections! (my other favorite)
Lolly Lolly Lolly (adverbs)
Conjunction Junction

Science Rock:
Them not-so-dry bones
Telegraph line
Interplanet Janet

Math Rock and Money Rock:
Naughty Number 9
Dollars and Sense
Elementary, my dear
Here I come (counting by 5s)
Figure 8
My Hero Zero
Three is a magic number

I'm Disappointed.
I was soooo excited to get this home and play it because I grew up listening to these cartoon segments every Saturday morning! But it bored me. They just weren't as good as I remembered them, I guess. I ended up fast forwarding through most of it. I paused for the classics "I'm only a Bill" etc, but I didn't seem to recognize most of them anymore.
If you're looking to relive a little childhood, rent it first- then if you think you can live with it, buy it. Perhaps you need to check to be sure you recognize more than 1/2 of the titles too. (I 'thought' I did!) -I personally wish I had my money back. (My kids even begged me to shut it off!) Just my opinion...hope it helps those of you looking to purchase it. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Huckle, Lowly Worm, and rest of the schoolchildren are inspired by their teacher's discussion about different kinds of occupations and what people in those fields do all day. The kids run to the schoolyard for some make-believe, playing at what they'd like to be when they grow up. Huckle becomes a grocer like his father, Freddie Fox a baker specializing in mud pies, and Rhonda Raccoon a truck driver delivering baked goods. Consistent with the usual excellence of the Richard Scarry video series, Best Busy People introduces the concept of how a complicated society functions, with everyone's job having an impact on everyone else's. The jokes are funny, the songs are sweet, and Scarry's popular book What Do People Do All Day? makes great supplementary reading. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (13)

It's a wonderful busy world
Richard Scarry has created a world of variety, humor and niceness. His videos and books are richly detailed at the same time that the images' linear quality is rather spare, the colors simple. I mention the amount of detail because it may be over-whelming for very young kids. Our son could not really watch it until he was about 1-year old. In what amounts to a lot of mini-episodes the students in Miss Honey's class (children who are actually all different animals) dream of what they will do when they grow up. The video is one of Richard Scarry's that could appeal to a pre-talking child as many of the jobs are of a very visual nature--baker, truckdriver, firefighter, etc. A lot of information is packed into very short segments, but done in a humorous and enjoyable manner. Pacing is perfect for the very young. If you have never seen a Richard Scarry book or video you are in for a treat. He has really created a tangible, sweet world. I wonder if I am the only one that has compared it to the Andy Griffith show. Both paint the world as a welcoming place where people treat each other with respect and kindness. And who wouldn't want to live in a place whose buildings are human scale and which boasts an elementary school with a dramatic clocktower?

This movie has entertained my kids for 10 yrs
My youngest, now 2, is seriously in love with this movie. Not only does she sing along to the whole movie, but also the clips that show after to promote other Busy People videos. We have had this video since my oldest started watching videos and it's never gone out of style, like Barney or Teletubbies. Plus it's a great learning video and the kids don't even realize it.

Today I ordered 4 more Richard Scarry videos to go with our current collection.

A Good Video for small fry
What I like about this video is the diversity of careers that it shows. Besides doctor, police and fire people --which are very predictable-- the video demonstrates that it is possible to make a living by being a grocer, pilot, farmers, builder, plumber, painter, or even travel agent.

What my 3 and 1 year olds like about it are the songs, the neat characters like Huckle the cat and Henrietta Hippo, and the silly situations that Richard Scarry is renown for. In one part, the baker (Able Baker Charlie) mixes in too much yeast into his dough and the situation quickly escalates into total mayhem in the bakery.

All in all, if I were to sum this video up I would say that it is downright fun as well as educational.

Sweet, innocent, simple, captivating - A Great Learning Tool
I started out by buying Richard Scarry's counting DVD. I loved it so much, I bought all the rest (minus the nursery rhymes DVD). My 2-year-old son really enjoys watching the movie, as does my 6-month-old daughter. I personally enjoy the DVD and its innocence. I like that it is simple yet captivating for them. It really holds their attention. I tend to be pretty particular when it comes to movies for my children, making sure they don't teach any bad habits and that it doesn't teach anything contrary to the Bible. I was very pleased to see there wasn't any reference to magic, fairies, etc, as many things tend to include such references these days.

my son loves it
My three year old son watches one dvd every day. Mostly he choses one of richard scarry and I like to watch them too! Funny, interessting and nothing scarry. Perfect for a preschooler! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Margaret Wise Brown and Clement Hurd's bestselling children's book headlines this winning 25-minute collection of sleepytime tales from HBO. Susan Sarandon narrates the simple story of a bunny readying for bed. Other top entertainers lend their voices to the tape: Tony Bennett sings the story of "Hit the Road to Dreamland"; Lauryn Hill brings rhythm to "Hush, Little Baby" (the best segment); Billy Crystal lends many voices to Mercer Mayer's "There's a Nightmare in My Closet"; and singers Natalie Cole, Aaron Neville, and Patti LeBelle sing other tales. A dandy video for the youngster, punctuated with "interviews" of real kids answering a host of bedtime questions. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (57)

nightmares...monsters??
I was looking SO forward to getting this video for my 20-month old, because he adores his "moon" book (the Goodnight Moon book). We read it almost every single night. And since we sometimes watch a video before we go to bed, I thought the Goodnight Moon video would be perfect. The "Goodnight Moon" portion was excellect, very sweet, very calming. And, I will say much of the other parts were nice too. But the "Nightmare in my Closet" story was the kicker. It talks of a little boy and this monster in his closet, that is ugly, tall and then comes into his bed with the little boy. Yes, the monster is friendly, but the images of a monster, period, before a little one goes to sleep could be disturbing. Now, my toddler is too young to speak of monsters, bad dreams, or scary things, but I'm afraid this story could make him start having bad dreams and get scared at an early age. Overall, not a very pleasing bedtime choice. Now I have decided I will just fast forward through that story in the video, or, simply just stick to READING our favorite book!!

Excellent, sweet, a family favorite!
This video is a family favorite in our household. It has several children's stories with wonderful animated illustration, interviews with children (which will make you laugh and cry), and songs. The grown-ups enjoy this one just as much as the kids! It's a must-see!

every child should have or see this video
what can i say the story alone is a classic not to mention the other sleepytime tales.. My children love these stories and watch them over and over. With all the crap out there, this video is a breath of fresh air. the only problem is that there is not a dvd yet.....

All About KKKrappy Books I REad O'er de Sumber
I didn't think it was good and I didn't understand it. I read it 9 time and still didn't git it and one day i went to the park and i was on the swing and i fell done and i was krying and i went home and i red it agin and it was great and i loved it and i laughed and i laughed and laughed and laughed and laughed and i called my friend and said yuve gottta reed this book and he sed grate and we lived happily eber affer.

THE END

Our Family Favorite!
This movie is so wonderfully delightful! My daughter just adores it! She has been watching this movie every night since she was 6 months old. Now at 16 months it is still a family favorite. Turn down the lights snuggle in close and enjoy! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Solid entertainment from a new group of Disney animators. The storysource is a Chinese fable about a young girl who disguises herself as a man to help her family and her country. When the Huns attack China, a call to arms goes out to every village, and Mulan's father, being the only man in the family, accepts the call. Mulan (voiced by Ming-Na Wen, sung by Lea Salonga) has just made a disastrous appearance at the Matchmaker and decides to challenge society's expectations (being a bride). She steals her father's conscription notice, cuts her hair, and impersonates a man to join the army. She goes to boot camp, learning to fit in with the other soldiers with some help from her sidekick, Mushu, a wise-cracking dragon (voiced by Eddie Murphy). She trains, and soon faces the Huns eye-to-eye to protect her Emperor.

The film is gorgeous to look at, with a superior blend of classic and computer-generated animation. Directors Tony Bancroft and Barry Cook make the best of it: a battle in the snowy mountains is as thrilling as the best Hollywood action films. The menacing Huns are not cute but simple and bad. The wickedness is subtle, not disturbing. The film is not a full-fledged musical, as it has only five songs (the best, "Be a Man," is sung during boot camp). Eddie Murphy is an inspired choice for the comic-relief dragon, but his lines are not as clever as Robin Williams's in Aladdin. These are minor quibbles, though. The story is strong, and Mulan goes right to the top of Disney animated heroines; she has the right stuff. --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (374)

A Legend to Remember
Mulan is a character unlike any other Disney heroine. She lives for a purpose of bringing herself and her family, honor. She fights, not only the Huns, but also Chinese tradition. All that she does and says is powerful. Other characters present humor and irony, making the film cute and sending a strong inspiration to be yourself and strive for the best. The music, including "Reflection", is well performed and composed (voices of Lea Salonga, Donny Osmond, Ming-Na Wen, Eddie Murphy, etc.). Orchestrations from this movie were nominated for the Oscars. The animation combines typical Disney styles with touches of Chinese art. This is truly a moving story with some breathtaking animation thanks to computer technology.

Fantabulous!!!!!!!!
WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!!? Sorry but I read some discouraging reviews and I just wanted to ki-... Ok Mulan is a GREAT movie!!! Funny, Cool... All that. I think it was made very well. Now I don't know the original story or whatever but this was great! It could be for girls or boys. It doesn't have all that lovey dovey stuff. If your like... I don't know how old, but this is a very good movie! It's about a girl who was told by the matchmaker that she would never bring her family honor. So she dresses up as a boy to fight in the army in her father's place. Her father uses a cane so he wouldn't do so good in the army. You know fighting... Anyway there's Mushu(Voice of Eddie Murphy), Cri-kee,(her lucky cricket), her horse Kahn, Li Shang(Her captain), the bad guy Shan-Yu and her friends Chien-Po, Ling and this short guy but I forgot his name... Something with a 'Y'... But anyway Disney did good with this. Good for the whole family. You may want to hear stuff people say these days and stuff. Or stuff Eddie Murphy would say normally or whatever but I think you don't need that because It's still a cool show! So go out and BUY IT because it's cool, fun and just FANTABULOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
P.S(It WAS made in 1998 after all, then was... kind of different from now, right?) :-) >^,,^< (Trust me. All of this is the honest truth!!! I mean why would I lie?) ;-]

One of My Favorite Disney's
I love most of the Disney movies whether they are animated or acted. What impressed me most about this movie was not just the animation, voice acting, and music great, but the moral was super. Most good movies have a lesson to be learned. This one was incredibly simple and to the point. Value all people and learn what they have to offer no matter what their sex, believes, et cetera. I highly recommend this movie for the whole family. It is ashame Disney hasn't learned it shouldn't limit the sales of their movies yet. I think they are going to learn the hard way when someone buys them out and stops the stupid moratorium policy. I know if I could buy Disney the first thing I would do is fire the person or persons responsible for the moratorium and second I would immediately make all Disney movies available all the time. If you see negative votes here there is a good possibility they come from scalpers. They want to sell you used Disney movies for three or four times what they are worth. They don't want them to be available all the time. They want them to be unavailable for at least eight years.

Lessons for our Children....
I do not believe that I have EVER watched an animated film that taught more of the values that I would want our future generations to learn than MULAN.

The movie opens with Mulan getting ready to go to the "Matchmaker." Although, she is a beautiful girl, she lacks the grace to make a good impression. Devistated, she returns home. Her father tells her that "like the cherry blossoms, her season has not come."

When China is invaded by the Huns, there is one line in the movie that is uttered by the emperor and it is SO profound. The general in charge of the armies confidently announces that his men can handle this invasion. However, the emperor issues a proclamation calling all available men because, "sometimes a single grain of rice may be the deciding balance in tipping the scales." Or - "one man may make a difference between conquest and defeat."

In this case, it turns out to be a woman! I LOVE how Mulan interacts horribly with the men at first and how she is told to leave. Mulan has to prove herself and she doesn't give up.

Even after she is a hero, Mulan is disgraced when it is discovered that she is a woman. She is shunned and yet when she must come to the rescue of China again, her comrades are loyal to her and listen to her ideas.

Throughout the movie there are the different interactions of those who accept women for who they are and those who are stuck within stereotypes.

Mulan is a cute and VERY funny movie with adorable songs. What makes it a GREAT movie however, is the very powerful message that we should judge one another on our merits and character - whether we be men or women.

A fun movie, never boring to watch!
I first remember when this movie came out, and I wanted to see it SO bad! I loved it, and would continue to rent it over and over again, until I finally got it as a Christmas present. But, as time went on, you get kinda tired watching it over and over again, as with all movies.
The plot is exciting and adventurous, with a little bit of humor, from, of course, Eddie Murphy, who plays Mushu, her comical 'guardian' dragon. Fa Mulan is a girl trying to at least get a decent match and bring honor to her family, when she hears about the Hun Army's invasion on China, lead by their ruthless leader, Shan Yu. Her father is too weak to fight the whole Mongol army, so she puts matchmaking matters aside, and joins the army, pretending to be a boy. Action-packed and cute, this is a fun movie, and will keep your kids watching in eager anticipation. ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

This Disney masterpiece from 1940 will hold up forever precisely because it doesn't restrain or temper the most elemental emotions and themes germane to its story. Based on the Collodi tale about a wooden puppet who wants to become a real boy, Pinocchio is among the most magical, mythical, and frightening films to come from the studio in its long history. A number of scenes make permanent impressions on young minds (just ask Steven Spielberg, who quoted the film more than once in Close Encounters of the Third Kind), and the songs ("When You Wish upon a Star") can't be beat. --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (107)

A TERRIFIC TREAT FOR THE YOUNG*AT*HEART
Gepetto, a kindly old woodcarver, creates a little puppet boy of pine and names him Pinocchio. Because the old man, who has been generous and good all his life, loves children - but has none of his own - the Blue Fairy brings the marionette to life in order to be a son to him. She tells Pinocchio that in order to be a real boy, he must exhibit the virtues of truth, courage & selflessness...A timeless excursion into the world of classic childhood fantasy, this 194O Disney picture will no doubt be treasured in 2O4O: its theme is too timeless to date badly. The film cost the Disney studio 2.5 million dollars to produce & out of the total 2 million (!) drawings, a mere 3OO,OOO were ultimately used in the finished film. Dickie Jones, who was a child actor who infrequently appeared in OUR GANG comedies, lent his voice for the title character, while Evelyn Venable provided the Blue Fairy with vocal chords. Frankie Darro vocalised Lampwick & Cliff Edwards, as Jiminy Cricket, sang the AA winning song WHEN YOU WISH UPON A STAR. The original story was adapted from the 1882 novel by Carlo Collodi "La Avventure d'Pinocchio".

Magical
The following is an excerpt from an essay I did about Walt Disney. The excerpt is property of Amazon, but the ESSAY is my property. Email me if you want it.

Last night I watched Pinocchio, Disney's second feature-length film and in my opinion one of the studio's best features. Based on the 19th century book by Carlo Collodi, but not half as unpleasant, Pinocchio combines winning animation with great humor and excitement. There are songs, but they're never like the huge production numbers that last four minutes and feature the voice of some up-and-coming princess of pop (who'll be gone in a year) that the studio later adopted with the applicable exception of When you Wish Upon a Star.

The movie takes a sadastic, cruel, heartless little wooden boy (Collodi's character) and turns him into an interesting, 3-dimensional kid with a good heart but who is weak-willed and doesn't always listen to reason. The animation makes brilliant use of the multiplane camera, featuring a sprawling opening sequence in which the viewer practically sees the entire village at night. The characters are colorful and fun (I especially love Honest John Foulfellow and his sidekick Gideon) and the story has never a dull moment. This film is a reminder of the sort of efforts Disney put into their films; the man himself had a great storytelling passion that was lost in later works (Alice in Wonderland, 101 Dalmations). Pinocchio was never as famous as some of the others, and this is unfortunate because it is his masterpiece.

Masterpiece Pinocchio by Luske Hamilton and Ben Sharpsteen
"When you wish upon a star, makes no difference who you

are, anything you heart desires will come to you."

You've heard this song on the Disneyland and Superbowl commercials, but do you remember where it came from?

It came from this cartoon, Pinocchio, Walt Disney's second feature to "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs" in 1940.

I repeat 1940!! Wow and to this day ,Pinocchio still stands out as one of the greatest movies of all time.

This opinion is about the 60th anniversay VHS of Pinocchio with THX sound and Remastered visual footage. It even has a bonus at the end about the making of Pinocchio!!! Wow.

This was a Christmas gift for my best friend and she loved it, and I can see why.

Pinocchio is filled with dazzling animation,music and filled with so much fun and happyness that at the end of the movie , you will feel like wishing upon a star youreself.

Pinocchio is about a wooden puppet made by toymaker Geppeto (Christian Rub) who wants his own son.

Geppeto makes one wish, to have his own son. Geppeto gets his wish when the Blue Fairy brings Pinocchio to life!!!

It took nearly 700 animators and technicians to bring Pinocchio to life and the hard work definitely shows!!!

People can say whatever they want about Disney current movies, true they lack a certain magic unlike their cherish cartoon like Pinocchio, but Disney is one of a few companies that has a SOLID record of making Cartoon Classics that are loved by everyone.

The fairy brings Pinocchio to life and promises to Pinoccho (voice of Dickie Jones) that he will remain a real boy if he follows the basic principles that every boy should have.

He has to be loyal, truthful and above fair. She assigns Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) to be Pinocchio's conscience.

Well it sounds easy at first, but living up to these values is the real challenge here and Pinocchio tries his best to follow them,but since he has just being turned into a boy he doesnt yet know right from wrong.

This is where we meet characters like ,J. Worthington Foulfellow, Stromboli and Barker who take advantage of the young boy.

Jiminy Cricket and the fairy save Pinocchio from his judgement calls ,but yet Pinocchio doesnt learn to tell the truth and when he lies his nose starts to grow like a Christmas tree. :-)

Meanwhile Geppeto is looking for Pinocchio and ends up being captured by a giant whale Monstro!!!

Pinocchio saves Geppeto in a brillian animation sequence and Pinocchio by displaying bravery ends up being a real boy permanently.

It's a classic, I can say more but I dont want to spoil it for anyone

In an age, where moral, brilliant, wholesome cartoons are scarce you look back to the classics and Pinocchio will forever stand out as one of the greatest classics ever made by Walt Disney who has left his print in the world and in children's hearts.

Go out and buy this for youre children

The Truth Will Set You Free
Almost all Disney movies are based on dreams that became a reality in the end. Here in this movie Gepetto (Wood Carver) who wished for Pinocchio to become a real boy.You may say this is just a movie but it discusses one very important aspect of life. Its very important for young kids to say the TRUTH or you may end up like Pinocchio.When He kept telling lies his nose grew longer eventhough he's been warned by Jiminy Cricket (his conscience)to tell the truth.
It also discusses true friendship and trust. Jiminy Cricket was upset when Pinocchio told him that he's with his best friend (other kid)on Treasure Island, Jiminy thought he is the bestfriend of Pinocchio.
Above all,this is one very touching film.

The Puppet Show
This certainly is not one of my favorite Disney movies. I just really didn't get in to the movie I guess but then I never really cared for this Fairy Tale either.
The voice actors are good and the scenery, and colors are great. But for some reason this one really just didn't hit home for me. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Disney's take on this historical confrontation between European settlersand Native Americans follows the paths of two future lovers. One is British adventurer John Smith, who travels the Atlantic with the Virginia Company to establish Jamestown. On the shore is Pocahontas, a typical Disney heroine: bright, beautiful, mischievous, and motherless. The two meet in the untamed wilds of America (the first meeting is quite divine), fall in love, and try to ward off the warring factions. It's Disney's version of a Native American West Side Story. Two Disney trademarks do not quite muster up: the villain isn't hissable and the score's only high point is the Oscar-winning "Colors of the Wind." Calling it "historical" is a stretch, but Disney created a very natural look at the two cultures. The Native American characters are handled especially well, andkids should be intrigued by their world; the movie is a far different lesson from the one their parents and grandparents learned. Disney has discovered a few things, though: you don't have to kill to solve your problems, and you can end the film without a happily-ever-after, illustrated by a touching final visual. (Ages 5 and older) --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (113)

Disney's Pocahontas Gold Collection DVD
Pocahontas is a good tale that deserves to have the Disney name. While far from the most entertaining in the Disney library, this one does have some of the most spectacular animation and imagery then any of them! The film is definatley not for the very young, there is much war violence (superficial, yes, but it's still there), including some blood-free shot wounds. The story is much more mature oriented, with Pocahontas trying to end the war between her people and the white-men for the sake of her love for John Smith.

The film has many songs, but only a few stand out - -Oscar Award Winner "Colors Of The Wind" is one of them, "Around the River Bend", and "If I Never Knew You" is the other - - the rest are catchy, but unmemorable numbers.

The "Gold Classic Collection" DVD edition of the 1995 film, has a mediocre picture. There is constant grain, and it is rarely perfectly clear. On the plus side, the animation is still able to be appreciated and the Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is good.

Again, this is NOT the Disney movie to show little kids (it would probably be a complete fly-by for them), but it does have much appeal to an older audience who can appreciate the animation, and the Oscar- winning music. A true modern masterpiece.

POCAHONTAS DVD REVIEW: What happened to the video???
I suppose this movie has a more meaning for me due to a past romance and the this to be the movie we shared, so I enjoyed it. Sure, Disney knows how to take some part of history and make it so fictional but one of the things I like about this movie is the detail they put into Pocahontas facial expressions. That feature always caught me.

Anyway, you either like the animation or you don't. The audio is very well done. No major sound effects but the music and the dialogue is the main things for this film. What about the video? The video is a shock. Where Tarzan bursts with a radiance of colors, not Pocahontas. What happened during the transfer? It's like a transfer from a video tape seen 10 times before. Not acceptable with a DVD! I can't believe the colors aren't superb.

Extras...well, I guess after the fans were upset that Disney didn't include any extras in their previous releases, now they are with their "Gold Collections". I like how the DVD has the two music videos especially "Colors of the Wind" by Vanessa Williams. There are a lot of trailers before the movies which you can fortunately skip over, a trivia game and DVD storybook like the Tarzan DVD and a fun with nature booklet which they should of added to the DVD. Otherwise it's better than what we got before from older Disney DVD's. So, we have the movie at above average, the special features in the C to C- range and the DVD Overall probably a B-/C+.

Otherwise, for a DVD from Disney, this movie deserved better. A better video transfer and they could at least added the making of Pocahontas or something. (sigh)...

Anyway, if you want to watch Pocahontas, get the DVD version. Even those it's VHS quality, you get those extras and good sound. If you don't care about the extras and just want to see the movie, then the VHS might be your thing.

Politically-correct racism
I wish my children had never seen this movie, but since I made the mistake of trusting Disney and since it reappears on TV frequently, I've used it as an opportunity to talk about the blatant (but politically-correct) racism woven through it. My point to my children: racism is wrong, no matter who it's directed at (a point that goes directly against the main theme of the movie).

In this movie, there is one and only one exception to the rule that all Native Americans are good and all English are bad. John Smith is the exception that proves the rule - other than him, all British are evil (and crude, dirty, greedy, etc.). The Native Americans aren't all quite perfect but all come around in the end, while the English are clearly rotten to the core, and the world would be a better place if they were all gone.

Get this movie for your children IF you want to teach them to use skin color as a way of predicting good versus evil. And don't worry, they won't get the wrong, racist lesson that dark skin is bad - they'll get the politically-correct lesson, that people with white skin are bad.

Disney produces yet another inaccurate cartoon...
As always, Disney provides us with an hour-glass shaped, beautifully dashing, ever accomodating heroine, and a strong, handsome, brave, conquering hero; a romance story that is historically inaccurate, romanticized, racist, and sexist. "Pocahontas" was not her real name, and she was about ten years old. According to LEGEND, she saved John Smith's life - the woman of color saves the white man, while falling in love with him. According to REAL history, he was brought in to the village, well-fed and well-treated. Most likely, she simply talked with him while he was in her village. There was NO romantic relationship. She was actually kidnapped a few years later and held for ransom in Jamestown. She died of a White Man's disease. Disney has created a cartoon "Romeo & Juliet" story for children, and what hurts my heart the most is that people really believe that the Disney version is true. There are so many un-truths in the world, especially in our Media, and "Pocahontas" is one of them.

Love Story with a touch of History
In reality Pocahontas was the wife of another white settler named John Rolfe. She later became Lady Rebecca. We can say she fell in love with John Smith but their love story didn't workout.
The story of Pocahontas repesents us all Americans. That no matter how you look like, Black or White we are all foreigners on this land.The original Americans are the American Indians, cause they are already here when Columbus discovered America.As for this movie itself, I love it especially the music. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Timeless classic
My mother watched this movie as a little girl, and her love for it passed on to me. Now I have a copy (thanks to amazon) for MY little girl, and she watches it constantly. We also own the musical soundtrack, and I found the storybook that came with the movie to be delightful as well. This is a charming, must have for your video library!

Please Put This On DVD!
Amazon has this classic listed as being from 1996 but that is actually the year this video was released because Disney's Peter and the Wolf was actually made in 1946. As a little girl in the 1970s I remember watching this on TV and also I remember one of my teachers, probably the music teacher brought in a film and showed it to us on a movie projector and I enjoyed watching it. I think it's a great way to introduce young children to musical instruments and classical music and I hope to see this classic put out on DVD.

You'll be humming along...
This simple, beautiful cartoon, based on the Russian symphony, is sweet and innocent and can be enjoyed by all ages. Little Peter goes wolf-hunting with his friends, the cat, the duck, and the bird, and they find him! The kids will enjoy the animation, you'll like the music...this is a classic!

One of my All Time Favorites
This is one of the most endearing and enduring Disney cartoons ever! Serge Prokofieff's timeless music orchestrates the Russian folk tale of little Peter and his "hunting party" who go off to trap the big bad wolf. Sterling Holloway's voice is perfect as narrator. Each character in the tale has his/her own theme played by a different orchestral instrument - teaching the viewer to distinguish sounds and themes while enjoying the show. Warning: As a child (many, many years ago) I found Sonia the Duck's encounter with the snapping, snarling, hungry Wolf much scarier and distressing than Oz's Wicked Witch of the West and her Flying Monkeys - so you might want to pre-view this before showing it to a very young child.

Also included on the video are the cute and funny "Silly Symphony" a non-verbal lesson in international harmony and "Music Land" featuring favorite Disney cartoon characters.

If you like this video, I recommend you also try the CD "Heigh-Ho! Mozart."

Educational and Fun!
Peter and the Wolf is a great way to introduce the instruments of the orchestra to children. They love the animation, the characters, the movie, all of it! In addition, they learn to recognize the sounds of the various instruments, without even realizing they are learning. My music students begged me to show the video a second time during our music camp this summer. It's a great way to get kids interested in the classics! ... Read more

Description

Disney's amazing undersea classic lives on in an all-new story bursting with the same captivating musical style, unforgettably colorful characters, and brilliant animation that made the original film an Academy Award(R)-winning favorite. After rejoicing over the birth of their daughter Melody, Ariel and Eric must face a new threat from Ursula's revengeful sibling Morgana -- a threat that forces them to hide Melody's true mermaid heritage. Melody, a young princess curious about her roots, ultimately ventures into the sea against her parents' wishes. There, she meets new friends, and in her dream to be a mermaid becomes a pawn in Morgana's plot to gain control of the Seven Seas. Ariel must reunite with her childhood friends Sebastian, Flounder, and Scuttle to rescue her daughter and restore harmony to her family. An all-star cast returns, including Jodi Benson (Ariel) and Samuel E. Wright (Sebastian), for a remarkable adventure teeming with surprises and four phenomenal new songs. ... Read more

Reviews (126)

Ariel's like a different person!!
They RUINED the main characers. Eric sounds like a different person! Couldn't they have found someone who sounded just a little like the original Eric?? And I found it very disconcerting to see Flounder as a fat adult with a bunch of kids. He had such a cute, clumsy, little-kid charm...that's who he was. Now, most disturbing of all, was seeing Ariel transformed from a spunky and spirited, independent teenager to a very motherly..."old" character. What happened? They turned her into her father, exactly! That's not who she is, at all.

Otherwise, the movie was adorble. The film was entertaining and fun thanks to Melody and her friends. I didn't think I'd like Melody but she's a mettlesome little daydreaming mermaid with alot of personality. I just love Sebastian no matter what! And the penguin and walrus she meets along the way are a really cute and funny pair! If they'd just elimate the original Little Mermaid characters this would be worthy of five stars!

Sequel
Obviously, the sequel isn't going to be as good as the first. They never are. This is no different, the storyline is similar with all the characters resembling each other as well. Basically, Melody is Ariel, only in a much younger perspective wanting to be a mermaid (just like Ariel wanted to be a human in the first), Morgana is Ursula, only skinnier with her pet shark who is the eels. Tip and Dash are basically Flounder and Sebastian. I enjoyed Tip and Dash a lot, especially compared to the annoying Flounder. All the original characters make appearances, Sebastian is the crap that used to look after Ariel for King Tritan but now he's supposed to look over Melody for Ariel and Eric. Flounder is still around, yet fatter and his voice is more annoying, King Triton is now the worried grandfather instead of just the worried father. The real downfall here is Prince Eric, who is rarely in the movie but his voice is different and for the worst. He looks a bit different too, he has like blue eyes in this one which makes him look strange.
The storyline as I said is similar. Melody wants to explore the sea, she's an OUTCAST on land and SNEAKS out by going under the wall between the castle and the ocean. She meets Morgana, an EVIL OCTOPUS who has the POWER to TRANSFORM her into a mermaid (hint: with help from Ursula) and she can REMAIN a MERMAID if she STEALS the "pitchfork" (sorry I forget its name) from her grandfather, yet she doesn't know he's her grandfather. Melody captures it with the help of Tip and Dash and returns to Morgana. All the while Ariel has transformed back into a mermaid in hope to find Melody in the sea while Eric looks on land. Morgana TURNS on Melody and transforms her back into a human and keeps her underwater until she drowns. The shark crashes into the ice barrier and Melody is free, Ariel and Melody chat then realize that Eric and the rest of them are in trouble. Melody saves the day. That is basically the whole storyline.
Though very similar to the first one, this is still a good watch and would be a nice movie to show your little kids, especially since they probably wouldn't care if the first one is the original. It's a fun movie, not as romantic or as funny as the first but still fun. If you collect Disney movies or really enjoyed this one if you saw it, buy it. Other than that I'd just suggest you rent this one.

Rent it, Dont buy it.
I was ten years old when the Little Mermaid came out, and I loved it. I seriously wanted to be Ariel, I just loved the songs and the color.

Recently, I rented both the Little Mermaid and its sequel, the Little Mermaid II. WHile I am pleased that there is at least something out there for little kids these days, I was disappointed with the movie. I did not connect with Melody, and Ariel was like nothing I remembered. The only thing pleasing (and, I must say, humorous) was the presence of Sebastian. He alone retained the charm of the first film.

Of course, maybe the reason I didnt like this movie is that I am now an adult. But I gotta tell you, when I re-watched the original, it was still the magical movie that it was for me 15 years ago.

The Little Mermaid 2 - Return to the Sea
What if you learned you were half mermaid? You'd probably want to test your flippers. Melody, the daughter of Ariel and Prince Eric, certainly does! Disobeying her parents' warnings to stay away from the sea, Melody sets out to find adventure and make new friends. But danger looms when she becomes a pawn in the evil Morgana's plot to control the Seven Seas. Lively songs enhance this sequel to Disney's animated favorite The Little Mermaid.

Return to the Sea...WHY BOTHER?!
(as posted on IMDB.com.)

Okay, as a long time Disney fan, I really -hate- direct-to-video Disney sequels. Walt HIMSELF didn't believe in them. He believed in "AND THEY LIVED HAPPILY EVER AFTER" being the end of it. But this one...REALLY ticked the taco. There were so many ripoffs of other Disney films in this, it wasn't funny. Quick summary, if you don't already know...: Melody, the daughter of Ariel and Prince Eric, is born. Ursula's sister, Morganna (who basically looks like Ursula, if she were to dye herself green and go on the Ally Macbeal starvation diet) shows up and, after trying to do the newborn tyke in, and failing, prophesizes (sp?) doom for the characters. After that ordeal, Ariel goes into a lapse of being like her father, and refuses to tell Melody about her mermaid heritage, and later on, forbids her to go near the sea. Well surprise surprise. Melody finds out, being the stubborn brat she is, and runs away, then makes a deal with Morgana to become a mermaid, in exchange for something. (Gee does THAT sound familiar?) She becomes one, but in her half of the bargain, has to retrieve her granddaddy's Trident and bring it back to the sea witch. While doing THIS, she runs into a couple of outcast animals, a penguin and a walrus named Timon and Pumb--huh? wait...no! that's not Timon and Pumbaa! or is it? Could of fooled me. Anyway, i'd like to reveal more, but pretty much anything that could be guessed to happen does. OK so...long story short. This movie "borrows" too much from other (better) Disney films...and does it horribly. Come on...Tip and Dash? Why not just make Dash obscenely flatulent and make it an even more obvious ripoff! Ugh. Not to mention, the total character butchery of Ariel's persona. She's gone from being a freespirited, headstrong woman, to a clone of her father. Not good at all...they're basically telling us the sweet, firey little mermaid we've known to grow and love is dead. Plus Melody herself isn't such a great character either...she's damned annoying! And bratty! Not to mention what they've done to Flounder. Ugh...anyway if you decide to see this piece of created-mainly-for-profit-reasons, no-imagination, Eisner-sponsored crapfest, I suggest maybe waiting 'till its on the Disney channel or some other tv station. Because, it's not even worth the price of a rental. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Mirthful music inspires these two episodes from the Nick Jr. series Dora the Explorer, blending interactive songs and musical instruments with problem-solving games. Confident, bright, and bilingual Dora invites preschoolers to join the fun while decoding a few puzzles along the way. In one story, Dora needs to find some musical instruments so her hometown band can have a parade; in another, Pablo's magical flute gets lost in a storm and must be retrieved. In both cases, Dora and Boots come to the rescue in their usual sunny style, providing interactive pauses to engage viewers in computer-simulated riddles. Adding to the fun, Dora introduces simple Spanish words and encourages audience repetition. Predictability is key to the show's success: viewers will happily anticipate the familiar routines of Map and Backpack as well as the pesky antics of Swiper the Fox. On par with other Dora programs, there is plenty of toe-tapping fun for ages 2 to 5. --Lynn Gibson ... Read more

Reviews (5)

TOO MUCH MAGIC
I know that I am a little extreme on this one but I have to tell what I think. (Meet my cousin, the witch, you might understand.)

We love Dora at our house and my son is also speaking Spanish becuase of Dora.

I have one complaint about the Dora series. Some episodes contains LOTS of magic references. I bought this tape to enjoy music and dancing. Both episodes contain magical items. The magic music box and a magic flute.

Like I said, I know that I am a bit extreme about magic but I threw this video away. I do not think that this is material appropriate for my two-year old.

Buy Dora but pick a different video!!

The BEST Dora Video!!!!!!
We bought this video for our then 17 month old daughter who loves Dora, (even though she is scared of Swiper and the Map-Go figure). Anyway, from the minute this video starts, the song they sing is so catchy that we have to play this one over and over to satisfy our young Dora fan. This video has gotten us through some rough days. I highly recommend this one!

EXCELLENT CHOICE!!!
This is by far THE BEST video we own! My 4 kids of various ages love to watch it over and over. The story and songs are adorable! It's a must have for any Dora fan!

Boomba Boomba Boomba!
This is the best Dora video yet! You will not be able to get the song out of your head ... it is adorable! I find all of the Dora videos very educational and both my 18 month old and 3 year old participate in the fun. You can't go wrong with this one!!!

Educational TV? Yes, it does exist -- with help from Dora!
We don't have cable right now, so my son has never seen this show on our tv. He has, however, seen it on his friend's tv. He only saw it once, but he couldn't stop talking about Dora for the next two weeks. We ended up buying this video to see what all the fuss was about.

Wow, educational tv does exist! Dora is not only an extremely clever tv show for children, but it also features a character who can speak more than one language! Since we're very interested in getting our son to speak Spanish, this video turned out to be an excellent deal.

The video includes 2 episodes of Dora. Both episodes feature lots of music and games for your child to participate in. Our son is only 2, so he doesn't really understand much of the games, but he loves the music! And he's starting to say more and more Spanish words as a result of watching the video over (and over and over). He doesn't connect the Spanish words with English words yet, but just the fact that he's learning how to say and pronounce the words is encouraging to us.

Overall, I think the Dora series offers some of the best educational tv your child can watch today. Although this was our first "Dora" purchase, we will definitely be buying more of her videos in the future! ... Read more

Amazon.com

After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar Rice Burroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixtysome years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. (Ages 5 and up) --Doug Thomas ... Read more

Reviews (300)

Better than average Disney
Looks like Disney is trying improve on the standard Disney animation with Tarzan. The animation quality is excellent! DVD on a large screen TV is the best way to experience the results of the technology Disney developed to make this movie. Parents will appreciate the animation quality which in turn enhances the story and kids will simply like the animation because it's cool!

The story follows the traditional Disney story line, but places a greater focus on positive messages(family, loyalty, respect and acceptance). As a result, this sets Tarzan a part from the standard Disney story line(exception Mulan).

With the exception of Jane, Disney did a good job in matching actors to the characters. Unfortunately, Mimie Driver's voice and lines seemed to be out of place with her Jane Porter character. Maybe its all those Johnny Weismuller Tarzan movies I watched as kid.

As with all Disney animation, music plays a major role. The scores written and sung by Phil Collins are excellent! However, there is one musical score(Trashin the Camp) which seems to be out of place in both the story line and music.

Overall, this is a better than average Disney feature that hopefully is an indication of things to come for future Disney animation features.

Excellent animation, music, songs and story
Despite the inevitable "Disney formular", it is a great animation achievement. Let's face it, you can't expect Disney to really break away from their formula without the parents with young kids screaming murder. Within the confine of the formula, I think Disney did a marvelous job in entertaining the adults as well as the young tots. So stop being a purist and just enjoy a great animation feast.

Tarzan is definitely one of the most "live-like" animation characters in history. The story is rushed at times, and the comic side-kicks can be distracting, and even annoying. But overall it is a powerful story, with powerful emotions and conflicts, great action, and very very touching. The scene with Tarzan and his ape mother brought me to tears, and I am a 30-something guy. The relationship between Tarzan and Jane is sexy and yet innocent, romantic and yet realistic.

As for the violence... Oh come on! I think Disney did a great job portraying violence in real life (but not excessive) without being encouraging or offensive. Death? Disney animation has always dealt with death and violence, starting from Snow White -- remember the Queen and her immenent death? How about Bambi's mother? How about the hundreds of Huns and Chinese soldiers who died in Mulan? Oh, at the end, Tarzan did not throw Clayton off a tall tree... watch carefully. Clayton was trying to get to Tarzan but Tarzan noticed the danger, and he was actually trying to save Clayton! Clayton did himself in because he was too obsessed. There's a lesson to be learn here. So I think the violence in Tarzan is very well done and serves as education... it is not at all gratuitous. I suggest parents discuss it with their young children.

One gripe about the DVD though. I totally agree with other reviewers about the annoying previews and ads. It's a totally unnecessary marketing ploy and will only alienate their customers.

*****Wow!******
This is a great movie but its the kind that you can get a little tired of after a while. I didn't really care for Minnie Driver's voice for Jane Porter; it didn't fit somehow. And while the music in Trashin' the camp was differant from the rest of the soundtrack,it was refreshing and I thought it fit perfectly with the destruction of the camp.
Phil Collins did a superb job with the music. I got goosebumps on several parts,he's that good. His singing voice just seems to fit with the wild jungle setting. All in all,a good movie.

AWESOME MOVIE!!!!!!!!!!
i am a disney movie collector and tarzan is one of my favorites among the disney collection.great animation great story.this movie is a must to get!!!!

Anyone else notice....
....the shadow of the dead body hanging in the noose?! Probably not....most folks set their kiddos in front of a Disney movie hoping for some quiet time. Do the world a favor: toss the movies, better yet, toss the TV and read a book with your children! ... Read more

Amazon.com essential video

Disney's 1992 animated feature is a triumph of wit and skill. The high-tech artwork and graphics look great, the characters are strong, the familiar story is nicely augmented with an interesting villain (Jafar, voiced by Jonathan Freeman), and there's an incredible hook atop the whole thing: Robin Williams's frantically hilarious vocal performance as Aladdin's genie. Even if one isn't particularly moved by the love story between the title character (Scott Weinger) and his girlfriend Jasmine (Linda Larkin), you can easily get lost in Williams's improvisational energy and the equally entertaining performances of Freeman and Gilbert Gottfried (as Jafar's parrot). --Tom Keogh ... Read more

Reviews (82)

Wonderful! Spectacular! Sheer fun!
Aladdin is a triumph for disney. Along with Lion King, this is one of my favorite movies of all time. I loved the Genie, voiced by Robin Williams, and his humorous antics and impersonations. I couldn't stop humming along with the songs as they played. The animations is spectacular for a disney movie. I couldn't stop laughing at the scene where the Genie says, "...Jafar, Jafar, he's our man, if he can't do it..GREAT!"

And I loved how Iago was the perfect foil to Jafar, a serious villain. I also enjoyed the love story that unravels around Aladdin and Jasmine. Jasmine is the girl that every guy wants, and Aladdin is the sweet, handsome young man that every girl dreams of. I also enjoyed the personifications of the carpet, and his expressions. Gilbert Godfried was the perfect voice for Iago.

I love everything about this movie, and can't wait 'till it comes out on DVD. I've heard that it comes out in 2004. I guarantee I'll be one of the first people to place an advanced order on Amazon.com for this DVD.

I loved it!

It's a hit!
One of Disney's better "late release" animation films, proving once again that the studio can still produce the magic.

I'm basing this review from the VHS tape version (since the DVD is not released yet), however, I believe Disney Studios will probably continue to follow the path they've set with other DVD releases -- that is, look for a straight VHS to DVD transfer. You'll get the film, but little else. Naturally, the DVD will outlast a VHS tape and the quality of both the picture and sound should be higher.

On the movie, it's a great rendition of the tales of 1,001 Arabian Nights (with Disney's own plot and characterizations) which will entertain members of the entire family. Robin Williams does an exceptionally fine job as the voice of the Genie -- giving him comic personality and wit.

The story line is a good one and is followed by two 'add-on' sequels ('Return of Jafar' and 'King of Thieves'), both worth purchasing when they become available (Williams is missing from 'Return', but back for 'Thieves').

The film's music is top rate and in line with many of their earlier successful animations (The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast).

All in all, a worthwhile purchase for your home library. Children and adults will enjoy this one for decades to come.

~P~

almost essential
There are a select few of the films made by Disney that can almost be considered essential Kid fare. My personal faves are : Robin Hood, Lion King, and the great Aladdin. This is one of Disney's all time greatest moments ever. This is truly one of the best. Adults will find it amazing, kids will love it! An awesome and incredible tale of magic, wishes, coming of age, love, and temptation by absolute power. Wonderful, simply wonderful. Also was one of the first animated movies to really make use of a seamless blend of computer graphics and traditional animation styles. Perfect.

Complete the Platinum Collection
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King are all magical Disney animated films and the best choices for the ultimate in DVD collecting, the PLATINUM EDITION. Only one title was missing from that list, but this October, Aladdin will finally join and complete the Disney Platinum Series. Aladdin is one the best stories ever made into a Disney animated film with memorable characters and songs.

Put "A Whole New World" into you Disney DVD PLATIUM collection with Aladdin.

Truly a Disney Masterpiece
When this movie first came out it was obvious that it would become an instant classic. 12 years later it has indeed continued to touch the hearts of children.
One of Disney's finest, this movie brings everything together. The animation is simply beautiful, the voice acting very convincing, the plot both imaginitive and entertaining, and the original songs are a masterpiece on their own. The characters are all believable, and gauranteed to touch a special place in your heart.
This movie has a great supply of adventure and humor, with a healty dose of morals thrown in for good measure. The title character Aladdin learns throughout the course of the film the significance of being himself. We also witness the value of friendship, the importance of freedom, and the fact that people are people no matter where their life has put them. While the film portrays these messages very touchingly, it does so without making the lesson heavy handed.
Whether you're sharing the magic of this movie with your children, or indulging in your own entertainment, Aladdin won't dissapoint. ... Read more

Amazon.com

Purchasers of Disney's "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," the second volume of the company's Sing Along Songs series, may discover that not everything is as "satisfactchull" as it could be with this tape--it all depends on why you're buying it. If you've sought out the video because of a sentimental devotion to the musical the title tune is taken from, Song of the South, then you're bound to be disappointed. Disney's undying efforts to make nice have spilled into this segment (the first of a nine-song package), and all is sanitized so that the original film's disconcerting depictions of then-de rigueur racial inequality cause no modern-day discomfort. But that's not to say the scene of Uncle Remis strolling a hummingbird- and butterfly-lined road and singing his song isn't a sure-fire mood-lifter, or that it doesn't succeed in its mission, which is to jog joyful childhood memories. And it is the only way to see any of the film on video; Disney has no plans to ever release the controversial film. In fact eachof this collection's numbers (all ingrained collectively on a generation now raising its own kids), aims to knead adult viewers' nostalgic sides (presumably part of a strategy to perpetuate Disney die-hards). Especially effective are Cinderella's "Bibbidi-Bobbidi-Boo," the Davy Crockett series' "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," and Snow White's "Whistle While You Work." --Tammy La Gorce ... Read more

Reviews (73)

You CAN find the ORIGINAL Song of the South!! USA format!!!
I became nostalgic reading all these wishful reviews and thought I'd like to do something positive, (see Collectibles, above) and had to see this movie again, so I looked and looked until I found a digitally mastered copy. Now my children (and yours!) can have a bit of their heritage back!
It truly is a shame that Disney today makes so much values-trashing junk, and is denying their great cultural history by banning a warm, wonderful classic such as this. Dear Walt is spinning!
Watch it and weep...and laugh, and sing! (and tell your friends!)

Original Song of the South Video
I don't understand -- what's so controversial about the original movie? Friendship between blacks and whites? People with goodness in them? Give me a break. We can show murder, rape, violence, evil, but this movie is controversial? I think Disney must either be out of their minds, OR they're planning some big and expensive release of the movie. I bought a pirated copy, and I thoroughly enjoy watching it along with my two little girls. They'll watch that over violent and evil movies any day!

Political Correctness gone too far!
The one star rating is aimed at the Disney coorperation. They're obviously afraid to re release this classic because they're afrian people will be offended by the racial "steriotype" of Uncle Reemus. First of all, by keeping the whole movie under lock n key a briliant African American actor, James Baskit, remains forgotten. Second, if you watch the WHOLE movie (last reissued in 1986) you'll see Uncle Reemus is smatter than ALL the white people in the story! If you check Ebay you'll see a LOT of bootleg DVDs of the COMPLETE version. This is hurting Disney in their wallets. Guess Disney would rather eat several million $$$ than be accused of being "insensitive".

Song Of The South
It is amazing to me the way our society today is trying to rewrite history. So what if Uncle Remus lives happily as A Slave. At least it's more realistic than period shows of today such as Dr.Quinn that shows blacks and whites of the old west getting along without any predjudice at all. I cringe everytime I see this in A modern Western. It just didn't happen folks! So bring back Song Of The South at least for a little while.

Need to read about the tape
When I bought this tape I was looking for "Song of the South" & that is what I typed in. When this tape information came up I didn't totally read it so I ordered it. When I found out that I did not order "Song of the South" but a Sing Along Songs, Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah it was too late to do anything about it. I bought it from a outside vender so I could not cancel the order. It did arrive quite fast but it was not what I thought I had ordered. It is kind of cute & does show a tiny part of Song of the South but very little. Then I checked to see how long the tape was & it was only 26 minutes. And I paid $19.74 for a 26 minutes tape that wasn't even the one I wanted. From now on when I order a tape I will read everything before I order it. ... Read more