Pooh’s Heffalump Movie

Pooh’s
Heffalump Movie

(2005) | Approx. 68 min | Rated G | Reviewed May 25, 2005 by Kevin
Krock

*Click to Buy*	Ratings Summary (Scored out of a maximum of five)
	Audio	Video
	Goodies	Interface
	Value

The Movie

For me, Winnie the Pooh is one of those Disney franchises that just won’t
go away fast enough, but for my children as well as many of you, Pooh
is still an ageless, silly ol’ bear. I do not mind watching the original
theatrical movie on DVD every once in a while when the mood strikes my
children, and I have even been known to sit through a few minutes of The
Tigger Movie with my boys. I just tend to avoid the majority of other
Pooh-related television shows and DVDs. So, it was with rather obvious
cynicism that I popped Pooh’s Heffalump Movie into my DVD player.

I had read our review (link)
of the movie when it was released in the theaters back in February of
this year, so I knew what I was getting myself into and kept my expectations
rather low. After watching it with my young boys, my opinion of the movie
does not vary much from Alex’s, and my boys seemed to enjoy about the
first 15 minutes and then rather rapidly lost interest. Additionally,
the look of the movie and the animation is very similar to that of The
Tigger Movie, so at least the characters and backgrounds maintain the
same look and feel as the classic Pooh shorts and movie, even if they
are rather simple and flat.

Briefly, Pooh’s Heffalump Movie opens with a quiet day in the Hundred
Acre Wood being broken by a strange sound from deep in the forest. Pooh
and the gang decide that the only thing that could make a sound like that
is an evil, horrible Heffalump, and they set out to capture it. Along
the way, Roo gets separated and runs smack into a young Heffalump named
Lumpy, a creature so foul, so cruel that no man yet has fought with it
and lived! Bones of fifty men lie strewn about its lair. So, brave knights,
if you do doubt your courage or your strength, come no further, for death
awaits you all with nasty big pointy teeth. Oops, sorry, wrong cute, cuddly
movie animal.

Anyway, Roo has been told that Heffalumps are different and, therefore,
bad, and he quickly learns that Lumpy has been told the same about Roo
and the other creatures in the Wood. The two set aside their differences
and strike up a great friendship, but that then gets tested when the rest
of the gang catches up with Roo and tries to save him from Lumpy. In the
end they all learn a lesson that being different is not bad, just different.

The Goodies

There are a few goodies on the disc, but none of them were particularly
interesting to me as a parent. As youngsters, my two boys found only one
of them appealing enough to request a couple of days after going through
the disc the first time. It is a pretty weak, forgettable collection,
but it is not too much different from many of Disney’s DVDs targeted primarily
at young children.

The set-top game is the only think my boys enjoyed, and while they have
played it a couple of times, they seem to have solved the puzzles enough
that they have grown bored of it. The song selections are nothing more
than the standard Disney Sing-Along songs, where the lyrics are displayed
on the screen while the movie scene is played. Finally, there is a short
featurette where the filmmakers introduce Lumpy to viewers, but it is
nothing to clamor about.

The Audio, Video, and Interface

For a recent Disney theatrical release, there are no surprises with the
audio and video transfers. The video will look good on just about any
screen, as the colors are saturated and solid, and the video is clean,
detailed, and free of any major visual distractions. The audio is equally
acceptable on just about any home theater system, but besides an occasional
surround or directional effect, there is not much to really wow either
you or your children. Finally, the interface is fit for its intended use,
but not particularly spectacular or different from many of Disney’s recent
DVDs.

The Final Evaluation

If you must have all things Pooh or are a fan of the movie, then this
disc will be a perfectly acceptable addition to your collection, assuming
you find it for a good price. However, for most folks, this disc is just
not solid enough to warrant purchasing. Oh, and as for the impending follow-up
title, Pooh’s Heffalump Halloween Movie, Alex can relax and put away his
Reporter’s Notebook and No-Doze, because it is coming straight to DVD
in mid-September. Hmmm, maybe it will be the perfect time to spread the
joy of PoohÉKeep your eyes on your mailbox Stephanie Wien. You’re welcome.

Walt
Disney’s Classic Cartoon Favorites, Wave 2 (Volumes 5-7)

(2005) | Approx. 60 min each | Not rated | Reviewed May 25, 2005 by
Kevin Krock

Click to Buy

Ratings Summary (Scored out of a maximum of five)
Audio		Video
Goodies	No stars	Interface
Value

The Discs

Following up Wave 1 from a few months ago, Walt Disney’s Classic Cartoon
Favorites, Wave 2 is about to hit the shelves. This wave, much like the
first (link),
features three separate discs of Disney classics grouped together by a
general theme. This time around, Mickey and friends appear in classic
animated shorts covering sports, music, and outdoor adventures. As I mentioned
in my last review, each of these discs contain fun and memorable animated
shorts that everyone in the family will enjoy. Sure, some will be more
interesting to some than others, but the range of shorts should satisfy
just about everyone.

VOLUME 5 – EXTREME SPORTS FUN

Canine Caddy
How to Play Baseball
The Hockey Champ
Double Dribble
How to Play Football
Mickey’s Polo Team
Tennis Racquet
Goofy Gymnastics

VOLUME 6 – EXTREME MUSIC FUN

Mickey’s Grand Opera
Music Land
Orphan’s Benefit
Farmyard Symphony
Pluto’s Blue Note
How to Dance
Woodland Cafe
Donald’s Dilemma

VOLUME 7 – EXTREME ADVENTURE FUN

Mickey’s Trailer
No Sail
Good Scouts
Hello Aloha
Old Sequoia
How to Ride A Horse
Trailer Horn
Two Weeks Vacation