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Shrek
William Steig's delightfully fractured fairy tale is the right stuff for this computer-animated adaptation full of verve and wit. Our title character (voiced by Mike Myers) is an agreeable enough ogre who wants to live his days in peace. When the diminutive Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) evicts local fairy-tale creatures (including the now-famous Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, and the Gingerbread Man), they settle in the ogre's swamp and Shrek wants answers from Farquaad.
A quest of sorts starts for Shrek and his new pal, a talking donkey (Eddie Murphy), where battles have to be won and a princess (Cameron Diaz) must be rescued from a dragon lair in a thrilling action sequence. The story is stronger than most animated fare, but it's the humor that makes Shrek a winner.
Skip all the numerous extras on this two-disc set and go right to Shrek's Re-Voice Studio on the DVD-ROM. Here fans can dub their voices to the character lines with magical precision. This first-of-its-kind feature is a dandy, easy to set up with clear instructions. It's also a kick in the pants. The ROM portion also contains the best of the many games. Other extras go from ho-hum (the DVD games) to standard (the 25-minute, behind-the-scenes featurette).
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* Movies4Kids Recommendations * | |
ANTZ
Entertaining computer-animated feature about an ant named Z (with the voice and personality of Woody Allen)
who doesn't respond well to regimentation --especially after he's smitten with the queen ant's
daughter, Princess Bala. Meanwhile, the colony is threatened, not only by termites but by a megalomaniacal
general with his own agenda. Clever and enjoyable (all the more so for Woodyphiles), but too sophisticated
and violent for young kids.
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A Bug's Life
The computer animation crew at Pixar who created 'Toy Story' return with another feature rife with stunningly
rendered worlds populated by cute critters you can't help but care about. The story is simple: an ant
colony led by Foley seeks help from a flea circus and other insects in their struggles against the oppressive grasshopper
bullies led by Spacey. However, as with 'Toy Story', there is as much for adults to enjoy here as there is for the kids.
And don't miss the wonderful 'outtakes' that roll with the closing credits!
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Joseph - King of Dreams
- Dreamworks' family-oriented "Joseph" is a class act: both respectful and entertaining, with a gentle heart. Inspired by the Book of Genesis, not Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's ubiquitous rock 'n roll Broadway extravaganza, Dreamworks' new direct-to-video animated feature, "Joseph," is the saga of Jacob's favored son-he of the coat of many colors-who became the most powerful man in Egypt, second only to Pharaoh.
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Toy Story 2
Like the few great movie sequels, Toy Story 2 comments on why the first one was so wonderful while finding a fresh angle worthy of a new film. The craze of toy collecting becomes the focus here, as we find out Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks) is not only a beloved toy to Andy but also a rare doll from a popular '60s children's show.
The Road to El Dorado
- In its third foray into animated features, DreamWorks came up with something unfortunate: the routine animated picture. Plagued with production problems (it was originally conceived as a mold-breaking PG-13 adventure), the likable film is a Hope/Crosby-style road picture about two scalawags who stumble upon the Latin American paradise of El Dorado, the mythical city with riches of gold. Kenneth Branagh and Kevin Kline are quite fun as Miguel and Tuilo, two Spanish con artists who are shipwrecked in the New World with a scene-stealing horse.
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Babe
Delightful, disarming family fodder about an orphaned pig taken in by a quietly eccentric
farmer who develops a strong attachment to the little fellow. The farmyard animals all converse with
one another in this endearing (and often very funny) tale, based on the book The Sheep-Pig by Dick
King-Smith. The Oscar-winning special effects, combining real animals, animatronic doubles, and computer technology,
are both seamless and convincing. This is one ``family film'' that adults can enjoy right along with their kids.
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Babe: Pig in the City
- This sequel to the critically acclaimed original picture died at the box office, but don't
let that scare you. This was one of 1998's most charming, entertaining
works. Great fun that the whole family can enjoy.
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The Rugrats Movie
Theatrical spinoff of the popular TV cartoon puts Tommy and his infant friends
into a nonstop adventure, which begins with the arrival of a new baby brother and escalates as the kids get lost in the woods.
Clever and funny, with some likable songs. Just click here to buy this title
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Toy Story & Toy Story 2 (2 Pack) - DVD
In the first full-length computer-animated movie, a little boy's toys are thrown into chaos when a new
Space Ranger arrives to vie for supremacy with the boy's old favorite
(a wooden cowboy). When the feuding toys become lost, they are forced to
set aside their differences to get home. Academy Award Nominations: 3,
including Best Original Screenplay.
James and The Giant Peach
The classic 1961 story by Roald Dahl about a young boy who, by burrowing inside a magical giant peach, escapes from the
tyranny of his aunts and travels to New York with his newfound insect friends. The stop-motion animation is supported by
the voices of Susan Sarandon, Richard Dreyfuss, Jane Leeves, David Thewlis and Simon Callow. Academy Award Nominations: Best
Original Musical or Comedy Score.
Aladdin (Disney)
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.
Dennis the Menace
The Hank Ketcham comic strip about a mischievous boy named Dennis Mitchell (Mason Gamble) becomes a film directed by Nick Castle (The Last Starfighter) based on a script by John Hughes (The Breakfast Club). Gamble is fine and Walter Matthau is persuasive as the grouchy neighbor Mr. Wilson, but Hughes spoils everything by throwing in a formulaic subplot about a criminal (Christopher Lloyd) who doesn't know what he's getting into by abducting Dennis.
Aladdin & King of Thieves
Williams has fun returning to the role of the big blue Genie in this second made-for-video sequel
to Disney's ALADDIN. Bright, lightly enjoyable cartoon feature, in which Aladdin risks everything to infiltrate
the 40 Thieves and find his long-lost father. Nowhere in the same league as the Disney theatrical films, but
pleasant and well made, with five original songs. A decided improvement over its predecessor, THE RETURN OF JAFAR.
The Little Mermaid
Delightful Disney animated feature loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen story about a young mermaid
named Ariel who longs to be human. One could squabble about certain story points, but the film is so enjoyable it's
foolish to try. Buoyant musical numbers include ``Kiss The Girl,'' ``Part of Your World,'' and ``Under the Sea,'' sung
by a Jamaican crab named Sebastian (Wright). Won Oscars for Best Original Score (Alan Menken) and Song
(``Under the Sea,'' by Menken and Howard Ashman). Followed by an animated TV series.
| More Great Family Films |
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The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea HerculesThe Jungle Book (1994) Muppets From Space (1999) |
The Lion King II: Simba's PrideThe Rescuers (1977)Toy Story James and The Giant Peach |
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Pinocchio (1940)
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.
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Fantasia (60th Anniversary Special Edition)
- Groundbreaking on several counts, not the least of which was an innovative use of animation and stereophonic sound, this ambitious Disney feature has lost nothing to time since its release in 1940. Classical music was interpreted by Disney animators, resulting in surreal fantasy and playful escapism. Leopold Stokowski and the Philadelphia Orchestra provided the music for eight segments by the composers Tchaikovsky, Moussorgsky, Stravinsky, Beethoven, Ponchielli, Bach, Dukas, and Schubert.
Fantasia 2000
- More ambitious in scope than any of its other animated films (before or to come), Disney's 1940 Fantasia was a dizzying, magical, and highly enjoyable marriage of classical music and animated images. Fantasia/2000 features some breathtaking animation and storytelling, and in a few spots soars to wonderful high points, but it still more often than not has the feel of walking in its predecessor's footsteps as opposed to creating its own path.
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Sleeping Beauty (Disney)
Walt Disney's most expensive and elaborate animated feature
(at the time) is actually a simple, straightforward telling of the classic fairy
tale, with music adapted from Tchaikovsky, and such memorable characters as Flora,
Fauna, and Merryweather (the three good fairies) and the evil witch Maleficent. Highlight: the
final, fiery confrontation between Maleficent and Prince Phillip. Bound to lose something on TV, since it was filmed
in (and designed for) Super Technirama 70--a widescreen process.
Sleeping Beauty
Non-Disney...But it is still a great animated version that is available in 24 hours!
The Jungle Book (1967)
Disney has mined Rudyard Kipling's Mowgli stories twice, but it has never topped this elegant, lush classic by the British Korda brothers. Producer Alexander Korda brought director Zoltan and designer Vincent to California, where they used Hollywood's resources to create a storybook India of verdant jungles, beautiful lagoons, and modest peasant villages.
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Barney - Barney Songs
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Barney - Barney in Concert
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Barney: What a World We Share
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Barney: Let's Play School
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Quest For Camelot
An animated version of the legendary coronation of Arthur, an orphaned
teenager destined to ascend to the throne of Camelot after pulling the sword
Excalibur out of the stone. Just click here to buy this title on .
Kiki's Delivery Service
- On her thirteen birthday, budding witch Kiki must head off into the world to start her training and find herself. Moving away
from her family with only her pet cat as a companion, Kiki parlays her best skill--riding a broom--into a brisk cottage business.
Dubbed in English by big-name actors under the auspices of U.S. distributor Disney, including the vocal talents of Kirsten Dunst,
Phil Hartman, Janeane Garofalo, and Debbie Reynolds.
The Boy Who Could Fly
- Sensitive girl moves to a new neighborhood and befriends an autistic (and mysterious) boy next door.
Warm, well-intentioned film moves very slowly and makes uncomfortable turn from believable drama to fantasy--undermining
much of its effectiveness. Good feelings and good performances (especially Bedelia and newcomer Deakins) help keep it aloft.
Written by director Castle.
The Sound of Music
- This classic musical set amidst the splendor of Austria's alps chronicles a young governess' budding romance with her employer,
and the family's daring flight from Nazi rule. Based on the true story of
the Von Trapp family. Academy Award Nominations: 10, including Best
Actress--Julie Andrews. Academy Awards: 5, including Best Picture,
Best Director, Best Sound, Best (Adapted) Score, Best Editing.
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