Disney’s huge hit franchise of the moment never has, and perhaps never will, see the inside of a cinema. But given the millions upon millions of followers across the globe, the DVD release of High School Musical 2 will nonetheless rival the sales of any blockbuster you care to mention. And why shouldn’t it? Grounded firmly in the family spirit that classic Disney movies are renowned for, High School Musical 2 isn’t the most radical movie you’re ever likely to see, but it’s had few recent rivals where outright fun is concerned. The plot this time sees Troy, Gabriella, Ryan, Chad, Taylor and Sharpay in the midst of organising a talent competition during their school holidays, which proves all the excuse the film needs to bring on the musical entertainment. Packed in with insanely addictive tunes, and playing very firmly to its fan base, it’s hard not to conclude that High School Musical 2 is a success. What’s more, there’s immense re-spin potential to the disc, and, given the raging success of the first movie, this one too is set to be enjoyed time and time again. Not jumped on the High School Musical wagon yet? Here’s a perfect place to start. is a fun family movie, and one that sits both as a worthy sequel, and a warm slice of entertainment in its own right. -Jon Foster.

Pokémon 2000, the second film to spin off the powerhouse child-friendly franchise of the turn-of-the-millennium, consists of the colourful if babyish human-presence free, short Pikachu's Rescue Adventure and the more elaborate feature The Power of One. The main attraction is up to snuff animation-wise, with imaginative settings (an island lair, a huge dirigible) that crossbreed cyberpunk futurism and Jules Verne style retro-fantasy. It even has the germ of an interesting, almost subversive idea, in that the story's wealthy villain is a green-haired fanatic who is as obsessive about collecting Pokémon as the film's target audience-he's after three fabled birds, Moltres, Zapdos and Articuno, but is really interested in the cute Loch Ness Monster-type being Lugia-but his philosophy is so skewed that he is more interested in owning and numbering the fabulous creatures than training or befriending them. A clever pun in a prophecy decrees that in a predestined crisis, "the world will turn to ash"-this turns out not to be a gloomy foretelling of holocaust but the revelation that human hero Ash is a messianic "Chosen One" who can restore the balance of nature when the collector's antics have unleashed worldwide climatic change. Adults might find the whole thing an endurance test for its shrill voicings, with Americanised kids and Japanese baby-talking Pokémon, not to mention the meld of incredibly simplistic storyline with amazingly intricate backstory. A trace of self-awareness comes in a brief snippet from a Weird Al Yankovic's song ("Polka mon") under the crowded end credits. -Kim Newman Video description DVD special features: The nice-looking DVD (letterboxed to 1. 85:1) comes with a "special edition" Pikachu card; trailers for this film and Pokémon 3; video clips of Pokémon-themed songs performed by Dream Street, Alysha Antonio and Youngstown; a snippet-like "making of the soundtrack" featurette, DVD-ROM features that won't play on a Mac (mostly Web-site links and ads for new poképroducts-"for the first time you will be able to discover if your Pokémon are male or female"!); soundtracks in English, French, Dutch, German and Italian with subtitles in English, French, German, Italian, Dutch and Arabic.

The fourth Pokémon feature follows the pattern set by the previous three-and falls into the same traps. The TV series depicts the modest adventures of Pokémon trainer Ash Ketcham and his friends Brock and Misty as they roam an imaginary world, fighting matches and making friends. The features add elaborate CG effects that don't mesh with the flat, drawn characters, and over-scaled threats that feel beyond Ash's abilities to resolve. Forty years ago, Sam, a young trainer, meets the 251st Pokémon, Celebi (it looks like Tinkerbell with a goldfish for a head). To escape a mean hunter, Celebi brings Sam to the present day, where they meet Ash & Company. They also meet the evil Iron Mask Marauder who's supposed to be a member of Team Rocket, but who's much nastier than the comically inept Jessie, James, and Meowth. The Marauder corrupts Celebi with a "dark ball" and forces it to create a monster out of trees, branches, etc. , that is blatantly copied from the Night Walkerin Princess Mononoke. Ash and his friends eventually save the day, the Pokémon, and the forest-but it all feels like we've been there/done that. -Charles Solomon.

When Baby Einstein started its "video board books" in 1997, the company was virtually alone in the field of baby development. By its sixth video, the field has become crowded with similar-sounding titles. Now scientists might be able to analyze what a baby will get out of a DVD like Baby Einstein - Neighbourhood Animals compared to Baby Van Gogh, but is it worth getting more baby videos? Absolutely-babies love variety as much as their adult counterparts. On that level, Neighbourhood Animals scores. Using a stimulating mix of brightly colored toys, whimsical puppets (including your host, Pavlov the Dog) and lots of pictures, Neighbourhood Animals takes the viewer on a 30-minute tour of commonly found animals. Help your little pal spot a pig on the farm or a dog in the house. Baby Einstein - Neighbourhood Animals uses animals' sounds, kids' drawings, and photography for each animal in four habitats. The natural settings and original, bright recordings of Beethoven, Rimsky-Korsakov, Vivaldi, and others should make this a favorite every time you want to visit Old MacDonald's Farm. Followed by a companion production, Baby Einstein: World Animals. -Doug Thomas.

Quietly tucked away in a car-collection garage, Brum is only conspicuous by his size. When the owner turns his back at the start of the day however, Brum blazes into action; ready to fight crime and do good deeds in the "big town". TV has tried lots of ideas with cars that think for themselves, but never managed to convey the charm that this series offers. Whether it's thwarting the escape of some naughty bank robbers, or saving a newlywed bride who inadvertently steps on a runaway skateboard, the little car with the big heart is always the perfect gentleman. Each episode sets up a crime to solve or dilemma to resolve, and by way of handy ramps and elevators, Brum is cheerily applauded and waved at by the town's residents. Every so often there's an outburst of song that will unite good guys and bad guys alike, and then there's always the sing-along at the end to look forward to. Warning to parents: expect a look of abject disappointment on the face of the tot who discovers their toy cars won't do any of the tricks on TV. -Paul Tonks.