BEE MOVIE on DVD

Animation isn’t as simple as it once was when it was used as a short medium as an extra before the feature. Then when animation graduated into feature films audiences were amazed for a while before the genre seemed directed towards only children. There have always been exceptions in films that were either made for adults or at the very least contained material that could be appreciated by adults while often being missed by children. I highly doubt that many children know or care about Jerry Seinfeld or his long-running sitcom about nothing. It is also safe to assume that none of the children interested in the animated film about the importance of bees would have ever heard any of Seinfeld’s stand-up comedy, but the parents who have broken down and agreed to watch the animated film with their kids at least know of his reputation. This style transfers into the animated world with some simplicity, even making an awkward inter-species relationship somehow acceptable.

I suppose it doesn’t really matter much whether the relationship is believable, because this is a film appropriately directed at children. Adults have The 11th Hour and An Inconvenient Truth while children are given Happy Feet and Bee Movie. These movies teach children what we are still trying to teach adults; that the creatures that live on the planet aren’t simply below us on the food chain and certainly never expendable. This message is disguised within the plot as our bee protagonist discovers that humans are taking the honey from bees and sets out to sue for all of the work bees have done.

Seinfeld’s humor is clearly influenced in the script, although there is a strange feeling watching an animated character that is a starkly different age than the actor lending his voice, bee or no bee. Seinfeld is a young bee that doesn’t want to conform to the expectations of his hive, which is to pick a small job and do it for the rest of his life. Instead he decides to explore the outside world and find out what there is to offer. This is when he discovers the theft of bee’s honey. It is a strange reversal when the bees sue the humans, because suddenly the humans are the innocent ones being deprived of life’s little under-appreciated luxuries.

The “Very Jerry 2-Disc Edition” contains a ton of Seinfeld special features, as well as other special features focused on the bee character he portrays, named Barry. The second disc seems to be directed at children, with music videos and games, whereas the first disc has a director’s commentary which also includes Seinfeld. There is also a featurette about the Cannes film festival, casting and a number of deleted scenes.

ALVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS DVD

Three talking chipmunks, Alvin, Simon and Theodore , are singing Bad Day and piling nuts into their pine tree for the winter. Their tree gets chopped down and put in the foyer of Jett Records for the holiday season Dave Seville (Jason Lee) is trying to sell one of his songs to Ian Hawke an old friend and executive at Jett Records. Hawke, in friendship, basically tells Seville that he doesn’t have a chance (doesn’t sound very friendly does it?). On the way out Dave swipes a muffin basket from Hawke’s offices in retaliation and as he goes through the foyer the Chipmunks hop aboard.

Dave then discovers that he’s got some talking Chipmunks in his house, not only that but he also discovers that they can sing. Soon he’s back in Hawke’s good graces and the Christmas song the Chipmunks sing is a big hit.

I got drug along to the movie with my kid and his cousins and really didn’t have high hopes since the last kid-friendly movie I watched with Jason Lee turned out to be a dog (Underdog, that is).

I was pleasantly surprised that Alvin and the Chipmunks really turned out to be an entertaining little film. Sure they’ve updated the ‘munks look and sound for a modern age but I thought the film was still very family friendly and enjoyable for all ages within yours (though expect higher ratings from the younger crowd). I liked it. Alvin and the Chipmunks isn’t exactly going to promote world peace or a cure for cancer (though I doubt it will cause it either), but it was a fun family film. Go Buy it now and add it to your movie collection of family film.

Mariposa, Barbie's new Adventure

Barbie Mariposa starts as it means to go on, with the famous doll’s gentle greeting: “Welcome to the world of butterfly fairies.” There are no surprises in this straight-to-DVD film, which is crammed with pink and purple, pretty dresses and, of course, all things Barbie.The film opens in the magical kingdom of Flutterfield, where butterfly fairies go about their daily business, flitting about the trees in a haze of sparkles and light.

Everything is perfect, providing they don’t leave the kingdom: beyond the protective city of lights, the ugly (and somewhat stupid) Skeezite monsters lurk to eat any fairies who may stray.Mariposa, the film’s heroine, wants to see the rest of the world, but her time is taken up with attending two demanding butterfly fairies, Rayna and Rayla. In fact, between keeping her friend and fellow employee, Willa out of trouble, and getting the fairies’ dresses ready for the never-ending round of balls, Mariposa barely gets a moment to herself. Taking some time out from a ball, she bumps into Prince Carlos and ends up hiding him from the Royal Guard, who want to lock him up “for his own protection”.

Clearly all is not well in Flutterfield.The Prince manages to pass on news of the Queen’s poisoning to Mariposa, along with a map locating the antidote. The shy butterfly fairy has two days to save the Queen and Flutterfield. When Rayna and Rayla find out about Mariposa’s contact with the handsome prince, they are determined to join her in an effort to win his hand. And so the three set off into the Bewilderness to find the elusive white flower that will cure the Queen. On their quest, they come across a host of magical creatures, some cute and cuddly, others less amiable. Using knowledge acquired from reading, it’s up to Mariposa to outwit the monsters and save the day.

Barbie Mariposa will tick all the boxes of girls aged six and under. They’ll be enthralled by the pretty fairies, the burgeoning romance between Mariposa and the Prince, and the sugary sweet sentiment. At 70 minutes, the film might lose the attention of the very youngest viewers, but those in primary school will have no trouble watching to the conclusion. There’s no need for parental supervision during the film’s more dramatic moments: the monsters aren’t remotely threatening and the peril is, to say the least, mild.

Never a dull moment on UNDERDOG

Never had the chance to see Underdog on the Big screen, but thankfully I got the chance watch it on DVD.

I was amazed and surprised that the movie was so funny and exciting. The lead character here of course is the dog named Shoeshine ( voiced by Jason Lee )who becomes Underdog. A lab accident gave this beagle some superpowers- a secret that the dog eventually shares with a young boy named Jack, played by Alex Neuberger. The movie had no dull moment. And there were a lot of cute and cuddly moment in the movie. The best scene that I loved the most is the scene they spoofed from Superman, when Underdog flies with his ladylove Polly voiced by Amy Adams of Enchanted (which I still have to see).

The DVD is full of stuff and surprises with Bloopers and three hilarious deleted scenes. It also has Safe Waif, the very first Underdog cartoon series. Sit, Stay and Act: Diary of a Dog Actor features the making of the film and it has some extra features like the Dig Deeper buttons. This features chronicles the history of Underdog which I’ve found out was released in 1964.

It also has some trailers in its sneak peek menu. Trailers included are National Treasure : Book of Secrets, Snow Buddies, Aristocats, Disney Movie Rewards, The Game Plan, 101 Dalmatian : Platinum Edition and Disney Blu Ray Disc releases.

Rent it or Buy it and add it to your movie collection, this is one great family film.