ALIVIN AND THE CHIPMUNKS: CHIPWRECKED
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
After being introduced to the world with “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and then going to school in “Alvin and the Chipmunks: The Squeakquel,” Alvin and the gang are heading on a tropical cruise for a vacation with Dave and the Chipettes. Of course, they don’t spend too much time on the boat. After getting into trouble in the casino and on deck, the little rodents end up going overboard and get stranded on a desert island.
I really enjoyed the first “Alvin and the Chipmunks” movie, partly because I enjoyed watching it with my kids, but also because I remember watching the old cartoons. It wasn’t untouchable source material, and the entire franchise never shied away from stooping to the latest fad and popularity. So a bit of overreaching children’s programming was always what I expected.
This third film is better than the last, especially on a new viewing on home video. Like many other films I’ve seen over the years, it works better in the comfort of my home without a bunch of screaming kids in the theater. Plus, I didn’t have to curb my children too much while they watched it, and that was a big deal for my three-year-old.
There are some really old jokes, including tired “Castaway” references. It also has some surprisingly adult references for a G-rated film, including Charlie Sheen “Winning!” lines and a nod to the honey badger. But taken for what it is – a big budget Saturday morning cartoon – it was perfectly fine family fodder.
The Blu-ray comes packaged with the DVD as well as Digital Copy, so the kids can watch it in multiple places. There’s the standard audience participation bonus features, including “Munk Music and Dance Machine” as well as some sing-along music videos. Featurettes include “Going Overboard with the Chipmunks,” “Munking Movies in Paradise,” “Everybody Munk Now!” and “Alan Tudyk: Chipmunk Apprentice.” These featurettes include in-character pretend that the CGI chipmunks are real, to a mildly entertaining effect.
Additional bonus features include two Fox Movie Channel bits, one looking at what it was like to grow up with your parents doing “Alvin and the Chipmunks” and the other as a spotlight on Jason Lee. There’s also access to the “Chipwrecked: Coloring with Chipmunks” app and a slate of extended and deleted scenes.
THE MUPPETS
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **** (out of 5 stars)
While the internet seemed to be going gaga over the return of the Muppets, I was a bit more cautious back in November. Then I saw the film in theaters, and I fell in love with it. And on home video, it is just as touching, if not more so.
Kermit, Piggy, Fozzie and the whole gang have gone their separate ways, but a starry-eyed Muppet and his brother (Jason Segel) rally them back together to put on a show and save their beloved but abandoned Muppet Studios from a greedy Texas oil man.
There’s a bit too much human character in the mix beyond the cameos. I adore Amy Adams, and Jason Segel is funny enough, but the movie is at its weakest when these folks take the focus away from the fuzzy puppets. Still, the charm is there in spades, the music will stick with you and the friendly atmosphere the Muppets always brought with them makes the movie work wonderfully.
“The Wocka Wocka Value Pack” comes with three main discs, including the Blu-ray, the DVD and a Digital Copy of the film. There’s also an extra bonus with the movie’s soundtrack included as a digital file.
Bonus features include the absurd “Scratching the Surface: A Hasty Examination of the Making of the Muppets” as well as some deleted scenes. There’s also screen tests, an extended version of the Tex Richman song, theatrical spoof trailers, an audio commentary with Jason Segel, James Bobin and Nicholas Stoller. Finally, there’s a special surprise that takes place when the movie is paused.
HOP
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: *** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: *** (out of 5 stars)
Last spring, Russell Brand stumbled into greatness on the Hollywood scene. Not only was his film “Arthur” a minor hit at the box office, but he voiced the lead character in the film “Hop.” I don’t necessarily think Americans were going crazy over Brand. He was just in the right place at the right time.
“Hop” will have more endurance in people’s mind, partly because it’s a children’s film, but also because it’s one of only a few Easter-themed movies for a secular audience. With enough Christmas-themed movies available at the end of the year, there are relatively fewer Easter ones. And most of those Easter movies have some obvious and relevant religious overtones to them, such as “The Passion of the Christ,” “King of Kings” and even “Jesus Christ Superstar.”
But Easter Bunny films are hard to find. Even harder if you take television specials out of the mix.
So “Hop” is going to endure just as your short list of Thanksgiving-themed movies will always rise to the top around that time of year. Fortunately, “Hop” is cute enough and can appeal to both children and grown-ups.
The story follows the would-be Easter Bunny who is not interested in going into the family business. He decides to leave Easter Island behind (get it?) and travel to Hollywood to follow his dreams of becoming a drummer in a rock band. Yup, perfect for the voice of Russell Brand, huh?
Using a mix of CGI (for the bunny) and live-action (with James Marsden leading the show and again playing second fiddle to a less entertaining character), “Hop” is your basic, harmless kiddie flick. It’s not high art, but it’s got a cute and cuddly rabbit and runs only 90 minutes long. You can do worse.
The plot is uneven and forced at times, giving a mix of “The Santa Clause” and the “Alvin and the Chipmunks” films. The story is really all over the place, but it’s your only choice for an Easter Bunny movie for miles around, so expect to see this one cycled around again each spring.
The Blu-ray of “Hop” includes a DVD as well for portable viewing, plus access to BD-Live and the pocketBLU app. Special features include a bonus mini movie, “The World of HOP,” a behind-the-scenes look with Cody Simpson, “Emotion in Motion: The Dance of Ken Daurio,” “Russell Brand: Kid Crack Ups,” games and a look at the “Hop” premiere with Carlos.
THE LION KING 2: SIMBA’S PRIDE
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
Everyone knows that the original “The Lion King” was an allegory for Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” so it makes sense that the direct-to-video sequel “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” would mirror the bard’s other play, “Romeo and Juliet.” The story follows Simba’s daughter Kiara who falls in love Kovu, an outsider who has been banished because he comes from Scar’s group of lions. The forbidden romance is frowned upon by both prides, but everyone has an opportunity to learn from their relationship.
I’ve been very critical of some direct-to-video Disney sequels, but I quite enjoyed this one. In fact, I found it a bit better than the original “The Lion King” because it wasn’t surrounded by so much hype. Sure, the production values are quite lower, but they’re pleasant and well done. It’s a fun story that actually gives something more to the characters than most sequels do, from the animated Disney line or not.
Plus, there’s plenty of hijinks from the more entertaining side characters like including Timon, Pumbaa and Rafiki. It’s worth picking this film up on Blu-ray to complete your “Lion King” collection before it goes back in the vault.
Unlike the two-disc DVD that was released almost a decade ago, “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride” on Blu-ray has much more limited special features. This is the kind of movie you’ll pick up for the format and hi-def presentation rather than the slate of bonus material that was on the earlier release.
Features include “Timon & Pumbaa’s Insectapedia,” “Timon & Pumbaa: Find Out Why” scientific shorts, the “One By One” animated short film, a music video for “Love Will Find a Way” and the featurette “Proud of Simba’s Pride.” At least the package also contains the feature film on DVD for easier portability for the children.
THE LION KING 1 1/2
Blu-ray Review by Kevin Carr
MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
BLU-RAY EXPERIENCE: **1/2 (out of 5 stars)
What I always appreciated about “The Lion King 1 1/2” is that it seemed to be made more for the parents of the children that watched “The Lion King” 194 times a week than it was for those kids. Sure, the children will get some entertainment out of it, but the parents who know the movies backwards and forwards can really appreciate the tongue-in-cheek retelling of the story from Timon and Pumbaa’s point of view.
The film has been described as an “inbetweenquel” rather than a sequel or a prequel. It plays through “The Lion King” at every beat, only showing the humorous side from our C-3PO and R2-D2 characters in the film. We see what motivates them to take Simba under their wing, and it also shows how they were integral to helping him become king again.
Whimsical and fun, “The Lion King 1 1/2” is an enjoyable romp behind the fake scenes of a real movie. Kids will like the bigger role of Timon and Pumbaa. Parents will enjoy all the in-jokes that are made for their sake.
Like its companion movie, “The Lion King 2: Simba’s Pride,” “The Lion King 1 1/2” had more bonus material in its special DVD release about a decade ago. This one has some limited special features, all of which are available on the out-of-print DVD. These imported features include deleted scenes, “Timon & Pumbaa’s Vacation Safari,” “Timon: Behind the Legend,’ “Before the Beginning: The Making of The Lion King 1 1/2” and a music video of “Grazing in the Grass.” The package also includes the DVD of the feature film with the “Vacation Safari” special feature.
