"HANDY MANNY: MANNY’S GREEN TEAM"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: ** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Wilmer Valderrama as MANNY Not Rated Studio: Disney Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
In partial celebration of Earth Day (partial because shouldn’t we all be better environmental citizens year-round?), Playhouse Disney has released a new DVD of the preschool show “Handy Manny.” “Handy Manny’s Green Team” is a compilation of five episodes from the Playhouse Disney series with environmental themes.
Episodes included in this DVD are: “Saving the Turtles,” “Manny Goes Solar,” “Science Fair,” “Light Work” and “Bloomin’ Tools.”
WHAT I LIKED
Like most of the other Playhouse Disney shows, “Handy Manny” is very low-key and made with all-around good nature. While it can get preachy, especially considering the subject matter of this disc, it still treats its message with kids’ gloves.
One thing that I appreciated about this particular compilation is that it got Manny and his tools out of his workshop. Some of the episodes tend to bog down a bit, featuring Manny going around town and staying close to home. With the environmental theme, Manny is forced to actually interact with more of his outdoor environment.
We’ve been hit a lot lately with DVD releases carrying an environmental theme, and while for adults it can be oppressive and politically motivated, there’s nothing wrong with teaching your kids to turn of the lights when they leave the room.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
Not being a huge fan of “Handy Manny” (or many of the other preschool programming for that manner), I got quickly bored with the show. However, it’s clear that I’m about 35 years too old to really get into the show. My kids, all the way up to seven years old, enjoy “Handy Manny” and do connect with the environmental theme.
While the message in this disc has all the good intentions, it does get a bit tedious when you watch all five episodes back-to-back. Plus, some of the tips in the special features are a bit unrealistic. Still, I don’t expect the average preschooler to wear a sweater in a 50 degree house if they can’t manage to turn of their own TV when they leave the house.
Sigh... it’s an uphill battle, and Handy Manny’s not as influential on your electric bill as you might hope.
DVD FEATURES
Along with the five episodes of the series, this DVD includes the bonus feature “Livin’ La Vida Verde,” which allows kids to virtually explore Manny’s workshop to discover what objects can be reused and recycled. There’s also “Manny’s Green Checklist,” which the family can use to help reduce their impact on the environment using simple steps.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Preschoolers and environmentalists.
