"IMAGINATION MOVERS: WAREHOUSE MOUSE EDITION"
DVD Review
by Kevin Carr
| MOVIE: **** (out of 5 stars)
DVD EXPERIENCE: ** (out of 5 stars) STARRING Rich Collins as MOVER RICH Scott Durbin as MOVER SCOTT David Poche as MOVER DAVE Scott Smith as MOVER SMITTY Wendy Calio as NINA Douglas Fisher as KNIT KNOTS Not Rated Studio: Disney Back to DVD Review Home |  |
WHAT IT’S ABOUT
A new series for Playhouse Disney, “Imagination Movers” is about four guys who work in the Idea Warehouse. There, they use imagination, brainstorming and problem-solving skills to fix things and figure things out. Originally a musical group from New Orleans, these guys teach development skills and good nature with song and dance in their high-energy and friendly show.
Episodes included in this DVD are: “Bucket Trouble,’ “Tooth Hurts,” “Whose Afraid of the Big Bad Mouse” and “Finders Key-Pers.” All episodes feature the Imagination Movers’ furry sidekick, Warehouse Mouse.
WHAT I LIKED
For me, both as a parent and as a reviewer, preschool programming blows hot and cold. There are some shows that I really enjoy and like watching with my kids. Others seem too simple or contrived even for the preschool audience.
Like Playhouse Disney’s other new series “Bunnytown,” “Imagination Movers” is quite enjoyable. The show reminds me a bit of “The Wiggles” in the sense that it’s a group of guys who started as a musical group and now has a preschool show. Like “The Wiggles,” the Imagination Movers are good spirited and teach quality development concepts and skills.
Some of the subjects covered in the episodes on this DVD include brainstorming, problem-solving skills, body language, dance and song. It’s a high-spirited and fun show, and like “Bunnytown,” the generous amount of music gives the youngest viewers a chance to move around and get active while watching the show.
And any good show deserves a good antagonist, which can be a challenge for the nicey-nice feel of preschool programming. However, the Imagination Movers have a fine foil, being the bland neighbor Knit Knots, who simply just doesn’t like anything colorful, flavorful or exciting.
Disney has had a long history of pushing imagination, even to the point of coining the phrase “Imagineers.” While the Imagination Movers aren’t original Disney fodder, they fit very well in the Mouse House’s canon of preschool programming.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
As a preschool program, there’s not much I take issue with “Imagination Movers.” Sure, for the grown-ups in the room, it’s a bit simple, but what do you expect? It’s a kids’ series, after all.
DVD FEATURES
Along with the four episodes of the “Imagination Movers” television program, there’s an exclusive episode of another new Playhouse Disney show, “Special Agent Oso.” This series isn’t as good as the title show on this disc, but it’s something else for the kids to watch.
WHO’S GOING TO LIKE THIS MOVIE
Preschoolers and kids who like music.
