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Review Walt Disney Home Video / The Lion King [1994]
Actors & Directors
  • James Earl Jones
  • Rob Minkoff
  • Matthew Broderick
  • Jeremy Irons
  • Moira Kelly
  • Roger Allers
  • Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Release date: 1995-09-20
Run time: 84 min.
RRP: £16.99
Price: £4.49

Review The Lion King [1994] / Walt Disney Home Video:

Disney's 1994 animated feature, The Lion King, was a huge smash in cinemas and continues to enjoy life in an acclaimed stage production. The story finds a lion cub, son of a king, sent into exile after his father is deposed by a jealous uncle. The little hero finds his way into the "circle of life" with some new friends and eventually comes back to reclaim his proper place. Characters are very strong, vocal performances by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane and Whoopi Goldberg are terrific, the jokes are aimed as much (if not more) at adults than kids, the animation is sometimes breathtaking and the songs from Tim Rice and Elton John, accompanied by a colourful score, are more palatable than in many recent Disney features. -Tom Keogh On the DVD: The Lion King Special Edition is a superb restoration: take a look at the serviceable but dull film clips incorporated in the plethora of extras and compare them to the vivid gorgeousness of the film presentation. This special edition also adds a 90-second song ("Morning Report") that originated in the lavish stage musical. To Disney's credit, the original theatrical version is also included, both restored and featuring two 5. 1 soundtracks: Dolby Digital and a new Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix, which does sound brighter. As with the Disney Platinum line, everything is thrown into the discs, except an outsider's voice (the rah-rahs of Disney grow tiresome at times). The excellent commentary from the directors and producer, originally on the laser disc, is hidden under the audio set-up menu. [+]
The second disc is organised by 20-minute-ish "journeys" tackling the elements of story, music and so on, including good background on the awkward Shakespearean origins at Disney where it was referred as "Bamlet". The most interesting journey follows the landmark stage production, and the kids should be transfixed by shots of the real African wildlife in the animal journey. Three deleted segments are real curios, including an opening lyric for "Hakuna Matata". Most set-top DVD games are usually pretty thin (DVD-ROM is where it's at), but the Safari game is an exception-the kids should love the roaring animals (in 5. 1 Surround, no less). One serious demerit is the needless and complicated second navigation system that is listed by continent but just shows the same features reordered. -Doug Thomas.

Review Dreamworks Video / Transformers 2 Disc Special Edition [HD DVD] [2007] [US Import]
Actors & Directors
  • Josh Duhamel
  • Tyrese Gibson
  • Rachael Taylor (II)
  • Michael Bay
  • Shia LaBeouf
  • Megan Fox
Release date: 2007-10-16
Run time: 143 min.
Price: £7.99

Review Transformers 2 Disc Special Edition [HD DVD] [2007] [US Import] / Dreamworks Video:

As sci-fi action blockbusters go, they don't come much bigger than Transformers. Maybe it's because of the subject matter: it's based on a toy line from the 1980s, concerning giant robots from outer space engaged in a civil war that pits the heroic Autobots against the evil Decepticons. They have the ability to disguise themselves as vehicles and other mechanical objects, transforming back into robots when it's time to stomp each other senseless. As a premise, it's rather silly. But it's also very simple, and that's why it works. The heroes are truly heroic: the noble and powerful Autobot leader Optimus Prime is one of the most iconic characters of the 1980s, and getting the original voice actor (Peter Cullen) to give him life was a stroke of genius. The villains, meanwhile, are just plain evil: Decepticon leader Megatron (voiced by Hugo Weaving) is motivated by absolute power, and his soldiers are not above a bit of wanton destruction to achieve their goals. Mix in a bit of mysticism in the form of the Allspark, the source of life for all Transformers, and the result is pure cinematic magic. It's not a perfect film: there are some characters and sub-plots that are unnecessary and which go nowhere, and at almost three hours, it's a lot of movie. But the Transformers themselves, rendered in CGI, have a very realistic size and weight on screen, and look particularly good as they switch from one mode to the other. [+]
Moreover, director Michael Bay is smart enough to realise that appealing to kids doesn't mean pandering to them-the cutest robot on screen is a manic little psychotic killer with the apt name Frenzy. The humans in the film, meanwhile, keep the film grounded, whilst never detracting from the real robot stars. Unlike The Matrix trilogy, which tried to be too clever, or The Lord of the Rings films, which were too clever, Transformers is probably the best science fiction epic since the original Star Wars trilogy. -Robert Burrow.

Review Walt Disney Home Video / Sky High [2005]
Actors & Directors
  • Kelly Preston
  • Kurt Russell
  • Dave Foley
  • Michael Angarano
  • Bruce Campbell
  • Mike Mitchell
Release date: 2006-02-06
Run time: 95 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £3.01

Review Sky High [2005] / Walt Disney Home Video:


Review Warner Home Video / Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Widescreen Edition) [2001]
Actors & Directors
  • Chris Columbus
  • Richard Harris
  • Robbie Coltrane
  • Saunders Triplets
  • Daniel Radcliffe
  • Maggie Smith
Release date: 2002-05-11
Run time: 147 min.
RRP: £23.99
Price: £4.24

Review Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Widescreen Edition) [2001] / Warner Home Video:

To try and please all the fans of JK Rowling's novel was a challenge that the makers of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone met head on. The result of their efforts is one of the most lavish, beautiful and magical cinematic treats to hit our screens in years. Director Chris Columbus and screenwriter Steven Kloves (thankfully with the help of Rowling herself) prove that although you can't translate everybody's reading of this much-loved book onto the cinema screen-maybe Fluffy was a bit more Fluffy in your imagination or Hagrid (superbly played by Robbie Coltrane) a little more giant-like-it is nevertheless possible to transfer Harry's adventures with fidelity as well as superb energy and excitement. If there is a downside it's that the performances of the child leads tends to verge on the Sylvia Young-tastic in places. Nonetheless, the three young stars are both likable and watchable, showing great potential to grow into the parts as the adventures continue. The main disappointment is the substantial cutting of the ghost scenes and what promised to be a fine comic turn by John Cleese as Headless Nick, though with more Potter films on the way the ghosts will surely assume their rightful prominence later. There are, of course, some areas of the story that may frighten smaller children-such as the entrance of the evil Voldemort-and undoubtedly for any true Potter fan that cinematic entrance cannot live up to the images created in their imagination. All in all, though, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone is what it should be: an unmissable treat for the whole family. On the DVD: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone really is a magical experience in this lavish two-disc set. Disc one offers the film in all its surround-sound glory along with trailers and links to the Harry Potter Web site, but, disappointingly, there's no commentary. [+]
Disc two is where the real wizardry can be found, with a vast and beautifully designed selection of special features. Entering the Great Hall a mysterious voice invites you to explore and find the secret hidden within (though it's frustrating that in some cases you have to re-enter the Hall after viewing a feature). Various options let you tour around Harry's world: from Diagon Alley to a virtual 360-degree tour of Hogwarts. The interactive component is excellent, with real thought having been put into ensuring that, instead of just the standard behind-the-scenes stuff, there is material aplenty to keep children and adults alike entertained for hours. Throughout the emphasis is on the disc's educational value: yes there are insights to be had from the film crew, but it's in the Classroom where you will find the real precious stones! -Nikki Disney "Widescreen" vs. "Full Screen" Widescreen preserves the original theatrical picture ratio of the film (Panavision 2. 35:1), which will appear in "letterboxed" format on a normal TV screen. Full Screen (or "pan and scan") crops the theatrical picture to 4:3 ratio (i. e. , 4 units wide by 3 units tall), which is the shape of a standard (non-widescreen) TV screen. There is no letterboxing, but up to a third of the original picture is lost.

Review Walt Disney Video / Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1938] (REGION 1) (NTSC)
Actors & Directors
  • Wilfred Jackson
  • David Hand
  • James MacDonald (II)
  • Otis Harlan
  • Marion Darlington
  • Billy Gilbert
  • Roy Atwell
Release date: 2001-10-09
Run time: 274 min.

Review Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1938] (REGION 1) (NTSC) / Walt Disney Video:

Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was nicknamed "Disney's Folly" by contemporary observers; they doubted that the short cartoons shown before the main film could ever successfully make the transition from filler to feature presentation. Surely, no one would sit still for over an hour to watch an animated film, their eyes smarting from the bright colours on screen? Fortunately, Walt Disney and his army of artists persisted and the world's first full-length animated feature was finally released in 1937 to widespread acclaim. Adapted from the Grimm fairytale, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs is chillingly dark in places, reflecting its roots in European folklore, but the deft Disney touch ensures that the overall tone remains light and the story develops apace, swept along on the perfect musical score. Any lingering gloom is quickly dispelled by the superbly characterised dwarfs and by the humorous antics of the various irresistible fauna that threaten to steal the show in several scenes. The pioneering animation is breathtaking and songs such as "Heigh Ho, Heigh Ho" and "Whistle While You Work", now firmly embedded in popular culture, are seamlessly interwoven with the action. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs happens to be an interesting technological milestone in cinema history-it is also an enduring masterpiece of family entertainment. To the millions who have fallen under its spell over the years, this magical fairy tale remains one of Disney's most enchanting and best-loved films. Only Grumpy could resist. -Helen Baker On the DVD: the video quality on this DVD is stunningly clear. Though it is noticeable that the film is nearly 65 years old, Disney has done a great job in the cleaning process: the bright colours shine clearly, the blacks are deep and the whites clear. [+]
There is little to no visible wearing on the film and the digital transfer has done wonders in restoring Snow White and her seven little pals. The sound is very clear and you get a real sense, in places, of the newly mastered 5. 1 Dolby Sound enhancements that have been added, making for enjoyable listening to the well-loved songs. The extras on disk one are plentiful and give a real insight into the making of Snow White. Little was done in 1937 for the filming of behind-the-scenes documentaries, but what could have been included has been. The audio commentary is strung together from interviews with Walt Disney himself, all of which are fascinating, and to keep the kids happy there is a familiar Disney sing-along and a Dopey game to play. The disk two extras are packed with information on the movie and Disney, from the 3-D virtual tour of the Snow White kingdom, that also has some documentary information, to an outtakes section showing abandoned footage and ideas that were never included in the final movie. There is also an informative timeline of the creation of the Walt Disney Studios that includes some deleted scenes from the movie. Altogether, great additions to a classic film. -Robert Hyde.

Review Universal Pictures UK / Barbie - Mariposa And Her Butterfly Fairy Friends
Actors & Directors
  • Conrad Helten
Release date: 2008-03-03
Run time: 72 min.
RRP: £16.99
Price: £10.70

Review Barbie - Mariposa And Her Butterfly Fairy Friends / Universal Pictures UK:

Elina knows that it's difficult feeling like you don't belong, so when Bibble decides not to visit a friend for fear of not fitting in, Elina relates the story of a butterfly fairy named Mariposa who loves to read and dream about the stars and the worlds beyond her land, but never quite feels like she fits in with her fellow fairies. Flutterfield was once a land of frightened fairies forced to hide in darkness from the monster-like Skeezites who devour butterfly fairies, but is now ruled by kind Queen Marabella who protects her land with glowing flowers. When a power-hungry fairy named Henna poisons the Queen in hopes of stealing the throne, it falls to Mariposa to venture outside Flutterfield to find the antidote to the poison and save the Queen. With some unlikely help from her attitude-laden employers Rayna and Rayla as well as her friend Willa and a little bunny fairy named Zinzie, Mariposa must bravely confront her own self-doubt as well as the Skeezites and other dangers in order to save Flutterfield and its Queen. Along the way, Mariposa learns that the best thing a fairy can be is oneself. This fourth Barbie Fairytopia adventure has all the visual appeal and wonder of the previous Fairytopia DVDs with a nice message about liking oneself. (Ages 3 to 9) -Tami Horiuchi.

Review Universal Pictures UK / Barbie Castle Collection - Barbie And The Diamond Castle/The Magic Of Pegasus
Actors & Directors
  • Greg Richardson
Release date: 2008-09-08
Run time: 160 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £12.98

Review Barbie Castle Collection - Barbie And The Diamond Castle/The Magic Of Pegasus / Universal Pictures UK:


Review Warner Home Video / Looney Tunes All Stars Collection 1
Actors & Directors
  • Elmer Fudd
  • Bugs Bunny
Release date: 2004-02-02
Run time: 98 min.
RRP: £13.99
Price: £2.99

Review Looney Tunes All Stars Collection 1 / Warner Home Video:


Review Bob the Builder / Bob The Builder (Triple Pack)
Release date: 2008-01-14
RRP: £12.99
Price: £5.78

Review Bob The Builder (Triple Pack) / Bob the Builder:


Review Walt Disney Home Video / Atlantis - The Lost Empire [2001]
Actors & Directors
  • James Garner
  • Gary Trousdale
  • Corey Burton
  • Claudia Christian
  • John Mahoney
  • Kirk Wise
  • Michael J. Fox
Release date: 2002-03-04
Run time: 95 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £4.67

Review Atlantis - The Lost Empire [2001] / Walt Disney Home Video:

The Disney Studio was built on innovation in animation, so it seems ironic that Atlantis is both a bold departure and highly derivative, borrowing heavily from anime, video games and graphic novels. Instead of songs and fuzzy little animals, the artists offer an action-adventure set in 1914: nerdy linguist Milo Thatch (Michael J Fox) believes he's found the location of the legendary Lost Continent. An eccentric zillionaire sends Milo out to test his hypothesis with an anachronistic crew that includes tough Puerto Rican mechanic Audrey (Jacqueline Obradors), demolition expert Vinnie (Don Novello), and butt-kicking blonde adventurer Helga (Claudia Christian). When they find Atlantis, its culture is dying because the people can no longer read the runes that explain their mysterious power source-but Milo can. Nasty Commander Rourke (James Garner) attempts to steal that power source, leading to the requisite all-out battle. Atlantis offers some nifty battle scenes, including an attack on a Jules Verne-esque submarine by a giant robotic trilobites and fishlike flying cars. But the film suffers from major story problems. If Princess Kida (Cree Summer) remembers her civilisation at its height, why can't she read the runes? Why doesn't Milo's crew notice that the Atlanteans live for centuries? The angular designs are based on the work of comic book artist Mike Mignola (Hellboy), and the artists struggle with the characters' stubby hands, skinny limbs and pointed jaws. The result is a film that will appeal more to 10-year-old boys than to family audiences. -Charles Solomon, Amazon. [+]
com.

Review Warner Home Video / Tom And Jerry - Classic Collection - Vol. 3
Actors & Directors
  • Tom And Jerry
Release date: 2004-06-28
Run time: 180 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £4.98

Review Tom And Jerry - Classic Collection - Vol. 3 / Warner Home Video:


Review Fireman Sam / Fireman Sam - Classic Series 1 - 4 [Box Set]
Release date: 2007-04-16
RRP: £29.99
Price: £6.31

Review Fireman Sam - Classic Series 1 - 4 [Box Set] / Fireman Sam:


Review Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm / Hannah Montana - Life Is What You Make It
Actors & Directors
  • Miley Cyrus
Release date: 2008-03-10
Run time: 90 min.
RRP: £14.99
Price: £5.85

Review Hannah Montana - Life Is What You Make It / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:


Review Hit Entertainment / Fireman Sam - Action Stations (The classic original series)
Actors & Directors
  • Fireman Sam
Release date: 2004-05-31
Run time: 134 min.
RRP: £12.99
Price: £1.17

Review Fireman Sam - Action Stations (The classic original series) / Hit Entertainment:


Review Contender Entertainment Group / 100 Favourite Nursery Rhymes And Songs
Release date: 2004-04-05
Run time: 35 min.
RRP: £5.99
Price: £3.26

Review 100 Favourite Nursery Rhymes And Songs / Contender Entertainment Group:


Review Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm / Ice Princess
Actors & Directors
  • Kim Cattrall
  • Tim Fywell
  • Hayden Panettiere
  • Michelle Trachtenberg
  • Joan Cusack
Release date: 2005-08-22
Run time: 94 min.
RRP: £15.99
Price: £3.49

Review Ice Princess / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:


Review Walt Disney Home Video / Basil The Great Mouse Detective [1986]
Actors & Directors
  • Basil The Great Mouse Detective
Release date: 2002-11-18
Run time: 71 min.
RRP: £19.99
Price: £5.84

Review Basil The Great Mouse Detective [1986] / Walt Disney Home Video:


Review Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm / 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [1954]
Actors & Directors
  • Paul Lukas
  • Kirk Douglas
  • Robert J. Wilke
  • Peter Lorre
  • James Mason
  • Richard Fleischer
Release date: 2004-03-29
Run time: 118 min.
RRP: £15.99
Price: £3.40

Review 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [1954] / Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainm:

The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets, 20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water and deservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. [+]
-Doug Thomas The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments, 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monster is actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets, 20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water and deservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. -Doug Thomas.

Review Contender Entertainment Group / 100 Favourite Animal Songs And Rhymes
Release date: 2006-06-26
RRP: £5.99
Price: £2.86

Review 100 Favourite Animal Songs And Rhymes / Contender Entertainment Group:


Review 4 Front Video / Clangers - The Complete Series 2
Actors & Directors
  • Oliver Postgate
  • Clangers
Release date: 2005-11-07
RRP: £9.99
Price: £4.98

Review Clangers - The Complete Series 2 / 4 Front Video:


Browse Characters & Series:

Models & Brands:
The Lion King [1994], Transformers 2 Disc Special Edition [HD DVD] [2007] [US Import], Sky High [2005], Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Two Disc Widescreen Edition) [2001], Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs [1938] (REGION 1) (NTSC), Barbie - Mariposa And Her Butterfly Fairy Friends, Barbie Castle Collection - Barbie And The Diamond Castle/The Magic Of Pegasus, Looney Tunes All Stars Collection 1, Bob The Builder (Triple Pack), Atlantis - The Lost Empire [2001], Tom And Jerry - Classic Collection - Vol. 3, Fireman Sam - Classic Series 1 - 4 [Box Set], Hannah Montana - Life Is What You Make It, Fireman Sam - Action Stations (The classic original series), 100 Favourite Nursery Rhymes And Songs, Ice Princess, Basil The Great Mouse Detective [1986], 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea [1954], 100 Favourite Animal Songs And Rhymes, Clangers - The Complete Series 2

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