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My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Friendly Tails
R1 - America - Buena Vista Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (8th March 2008). |
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The Show
 I remember Winnie the Pooh from when I was a child. The only thing was that I never actually watched any episodes, just previews on VHS from back in the day. What few stories I had heard from Winnie the Pooh came from storybooks. I remember one story where Pooh was looking to get his paws on some honey. There was another one where Tigger bounced himself up to the top of a tree and couldn’t come down because he was afraid he would fall, or that he was afraid of heights, I can’t remember for sure. The only other character that I can remember was Christopher Robin. I don’t really remember much about him, though. When this title came to me for review, I looked at the cover and realized that I would get to see just HOW much I really liked Winnie the Pooh. “My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Friendly Tails” is a 'hunny-ful day'; so put on your cap, hop on your scooter and join Winnie the Pooh, Tigger the tiger, Darby (a human girl), their pal Buster the puppy dog, and the whole gang as they laugh, play and discover fun new mysteries in the heart of the Hundred Acre Wood. Anytime there’s a problem to solve or a riddle to unravel, Pooh, Tigger, Darby, and Buster don their Super Sleuth personas to get the job done. Whether they’re hunting for pirate treasure, hot on the trail of a missing puppy dog or curing a tigger-ific case of the hiccups, when they team up with YOU in search of adventure, just about anything is possible. Bursting with endless fun, delightful music and wonderful surprises, this 3-episode series celebrates the magic of friendship and the happiness that comes from helping others. I liked that the stories follow in the similar manner as the ones that I was told when I was a little boy. The characters start out on a cheerful day, a problem arises, the characters solve the problem, and life goes on happily ever after. I’m glad that Disney didn’t change this formula. Perhaps they ALMOST understood the adage that says, “If it ain’t broke...don’t fix it.” Okay, while I haven’t seen Christopher Robin, Darby is a worthy character. At least she’s quite likeable. Also, the cases are easy enough for the little ones to solve. Perhaps it will also help them with their problem solving skills, at least for the beginning stages of developing them. The downsides? At the same time, I’m not altogether keen on the whole 3-D thing when it comes to classic Disney characters like Winnie the Pooh. Personally, I would have prefered the classic animation that I had come to see in the previews from VHS days. At least Pooh and the other characters sound the same as they always did. Also, I don’t like how Darby asks the viewers if we are willing to help. This sounds too much like “Dora the Explorer” (2000-Current) or “Blue’s Clues” (1996-Current). I guess this is where the ALMOST part that I mentioned in the above paragraph comes in. In this regard, this is where the Troma Team adage comes in: “If it ain’t broke...just wait! We’ll break it soon!” My final word: In spite of my dislikes, I’m still going to go ahead and recommend this title for the little ones. After all, it IS Winnie the Pooh, and Disney is still behind it. While 3-D animation seems to be an in-thing now, I’m only hoping that it doesn’t totally take the place of the original classic animation that helped make these characters so much fun to have and to hold as a child. After all, some people like things just the way they are. I also liked that the older shows had their own magic and their own storylines. My advice to you parents who buy or rent this DVD for your child/children, please make sure that they know about the classics so that these priceless gems are not overshadowed by 3-D animation. Hey, I’m not knocking it. It’s okay to have 3-D animation, but definitely have the classics too. The three episodes included in on this disc are: 1. "Darby, Solo Sleuth/Doggone Buster" (24:10) – In the first segment, the gang all comes down with colds. Lemons are the key ingredient for the cure. It’s up to Darby to find them. In the second segment, the gang is trying to find Buster. When they can’t find him, it’s up to the Super Sleuths to accomplish this task. – (Never aired!). 2. "Darby’s Tail/Tigger’s Delivery Service" (24:10) – In the first segment, Darby is sad because she is the only one who doesn’t have a tail. So the Super Sleuths spring into action to help Darby find one for herself. In the second segment, Rabbit needs his harvest delivered. Tigger volunteers his services. Then he gets inspiration to start his own delivery service. But between doing his service and being a Super Sleuth, he has trouble finding the time to do both. – (Season 1, Episode 12 / Original airdate: July 21st, 2007). 3. "Pooh-rates of the Hundred Acre Wood/Tigger’s Hiccup Pickup" (24:10) – In the first segment, a treasure map is discovered. The Super Sleuths are called in to help make sense of it. In the second segment, the gang has a pot-luck. Tigger eats too fast and quickly comes down with the hiccups. So it’s up to the Super Sleuths to help rid Tigger of them. (Season 1, Episode 11 / Original airdate: August 4th, 2007).
Video
Each episode is presented in its original full screen broadcasting format (1.33:1 ratio). Each episode was created using 3-D animation. The picture is free from all defects. The animators made sure that there was as much detail as possible. The picture shows them with perfect clarity. It almost looks as if you could reach inside the TV and touch the characters. Each episode has only one chapter stop, which separates each of the two segments per episode. You can play the episodes individually, or you can select the ‘Fast Play’ option and play everything all at once from the opening trailers before the Main Menu, right through the episodes, then more trailers. Also, if you wait too long to make a choice while at the Main Menu, then the ‘Fast Play’ option will start on its own.
Audio
Each episode features your choice of three Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtracks: original English, dubbed French, and dubbed Spanish. There are optional English subtitles available. For this review, I am obviously going to go with the original English audio. With only the front two speakers being used (left and right), the soundtrack is really good. The dialogue and music are blended together with great harmony. The music and dialogue do not overshadow one another. It makes me wonder what this would sound like if it were a 5.1 Dolby Digital surround mix, instead of 2.0 stereo.
Extras
Buena Vista has released this title with only a small collection of extras that include an interactive game and a collection of bonus trailers, below is a closer look at these supplements. "Darby’s Super Sleuth Challenge" is an interactive game. The object is to solve three parts of the Super Sleuth Challenge. For each part you solve, you are given one of the three clues. The games are no-brainers, even for children. In the first part, one must identify the object to the clue given. You can always ask for a clue, but even the kids shouldn’t have to ask for one. In the second part, one must find three objects, which are displayed on the right. Select an area of the map to uncover an object. In the last part, there is a scrambled puzzle. One must match it to one of the three choices at the bottom. But it must be done before the time runs out. Upon completing all three parts successfully, you will have all three of the clues to the Super Sleuth Challenge. However, I will not tell you what the final result is here. Upon finishing the game, you are given the choice to play again or quit. Also, this game is not utilized when selecting the ‘Fast Play’ feature. It only tells you how to access it. There are bonus trailers included, some play before the start of the Main Menu. Others are available by selecting the ‘Sneak Peeks’ option from the Main Menu, the previews included are: - "Sleeping Beauty: Platinum Edition" which runs for 1 minute 56 seconds. - "Little Einsteins: Flight of the Instrument Fairies" runs for 57 seconds. - "Handy Manny: Manny’s Pet Round Up" runs for 52 seconds. - "Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites" runs for 1 minute 14 seconds. - "Disney Movie Rewards" spot which runs for 20 seconds. - "Wall-E" which runs for 1 minute 35 seconds. - "Little Einsteins: Race For Space" runs for 51 seconds. - "Tinker Bell" which runs for 47 seconds. - "The Jungle Book 2: Special Edition" runs for 1 minute 2 seconds. - "Handy Manny" which runs for 32 seconds. - "Handy Manny: Fixing It Right" which runs for 1 minute 12 seconds.
Overall
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