Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island (2009) Review

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Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island (2009) ReviewThe toy line known as Playmobil produced by Germany-based company Brandstatter Group has been a popular toyline in the United States and other countries since 1975. The toys have been one of the most innovative toylines for children as kids can buy toys based on modern jobs or athletes to pirates, knights, princesses and more.
An example of the popular playmobil toyline toys in the market
And to celebrate the popularity of the toyline, the first major DVD release titled "The Secret of Pirate Island" based on the toyline will be released under the playmobil interactive name.
In this DVD, the film revolves around a family which includes seven-year-old Jack and his older sister as they visit their grandparents. Of course, the area where their grandparents live leads to a portal where the children can experience adventures. In this latest release, the playmobil theme revolves around the pirate characters.
But in this case, using your remote control, the viewer can select which adventure to participate in. The decision can lead to an early ending to the film or a further continuation to the story. Of course, since this is a children's DVD, even if a child choose a short ending, the child will get another chance to select the other ending or if they choose not to choose anything at all, the film will automatically select the longer, continuing version. But what's so fun about this release is that there is 27 story combinations. So, for the most part, children will enjoy the chance to choose their storyline and possibly see the toy characters that they may be familiar with.
For parents, there are two versions that you can select on the menu. The interactive version of "The Secret of Pirate Island" which is more or less 90 minutes long depending on the combinations selected or "Captain Gruff's Favorite Movie" minus the interactive combinations and the movie is about 50 minutes long.
VIDEO & AUDIO:
"The Secret of Pirate Island" is a 3D CG film featuring vibrant colors and captures the toyline in CG format quite well. The kids looks like the toys and the hands are like the toys but they are animated to show expression and also designed to show the characters like it's plastic counterparts. Granted, this is not a high-budget CG film, so don't expect hyper-detailed backgrounds or environments but for the most part, the animation for this title is well-done. Video is featured via anamorphic widescreen at 1:78:1.
As for audio, the film is presented in English 5.1 Dolby Digital and French Dolby Surround. For those with home theaters, the film is front and center channel driven as the movie is dialogue and music-driven.
Subtitles are in English, French and Spanish.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
"playmobile interactive - The Secret of Pirate Island" comes with only two special features:
* Pirate Sing-a-Long - (1:53) One of the songs used on the film featuring the band (on the pirate ship) performing a song with the lyrics ala karaoke sing along at the bottom.
* Previews - Previews for Sony Wonder releases
JUDGMENT CALL:
As a guy who grew up with playmobil toys and my son having quite a bit of a collection for himself, I found this DVD release to be quite wonderful.
The world of playmobil and the characters and the look of the characters is animated quite well and for parents looking for an interactive film, "The Secret of Pirate Island" was absolutely fantastic as there are many scenes that require the children to make a decision (there are 27 story combinations) and thus, works quite well for the child or for parents watching along with their children.
For families wondering if the film can be scary, not at all. The theme is adventure-based and there is a scene with an octopus, a mummy and skeletons but for the most part, it's never scary at all. They are animated in a way to be not offending whatsoever. So, parents shouldn't worry at all. It's a family friendly film. My 6-year-old, wasn't scared at any of the scenes and for the most part, he was really getting involved with the interactive segments.
If there is anything that I do recommend is that if you have a DVD player that has a remote that needs to be closely focused towards their player, have your child positioned in a way where the signal is clear, so he/she doesn't complain about the remote not working correctly. The interactive version of the film does give adequate time to make a decision but it's important that a child holds the remote correctly and that the remote has a clear signal.
For the playmobil collectors or parents wondering if the film is only pirate-themed, there are combinations that takes both Jack and Amelia to a medieval time or playing in their grandparents yard but those scenes are very short. The film is definitely pirate-themed and since I typically see the pirated-themed toys at the stores, I'm guessing it's a big seller for playmobil but I do hope there are more playmobil interactive releases that reflect their other toylines, which would definitely be wonderful.
There's really nothing bad I can say about this DVD, for parents who are looking for a children's interactive film on DVD, this is one of the better ones that I have seen thus far. I wish there were interactive games included on the special features but overall, for its low price and what is included on this DVD, "playmobil interactive - The Secret of Pirate Island" is highly recommended!Playmobil: The Secret of Pirate Island (2009) OverviewAhoy, matey!Your favorite Playmobil toys have come to life for the very first time, in an all-new swashbuckling adventure and you're invited to join them!You'll have a treasure chest full of fun with seven-year-old Jack and his big sister Amelia as they stow away on a pirate ship headed for the mysterious Skull Island - a place filled with treasure and curious creatures.Can Jack and Amelia stay one step ahead of a bunch of wacky skeletons and get to the treasure before the pirates do?Interactive DVD includes:Interactive video version (approx. 90 mins); Captain Gruff's Favorite Movie (approx. 50 mins) and a Pirate Sing-A-Long.

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Blue's Clues - Blue's Biggest Stories (1996) Review

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Blue's Clues - Blue's Biggest Stories (1996) Review"Blue's Biggest Stories" is a compilation DVD release designed to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the program. It contains a mix of Steve and Joe "Blue's Clues" stories and a bit of "Blue's Room" as well.
"Magenta Gets Glasses" is the only episode on here that hasn't been released before on DVD. It's a pretty neat story. In this one, Blue's best friend Magenta learns that she has to get glasses. She's nervous both about getting them and then about wearing them, but with our help, Steve, Blue and her owner Miranda help her to get over her fears.
This DVD comes with "Blue's Memory Photos" --- a brief photo album of some major moments from the series. It also comes with a couple of "Blue's Room" short-segments that are actually pretty good. Also included inside is a note from show creators Angela C. Santomero and Traci Paige Johnson.The other episodes included on this DVD are as follows:
"Blue's Birthday"
In this Steve episode, it's Blue's birthday. We arrived early, so we help get things set up. We also skidoo with Steve to find a present for Blue. And we play Blue's Clues to find out what Blue wants for her birthday.
"Treasure Hunt"
In another major Steve episode, the characters go on a treasure hunt. Content from this was used for one of the "Blue's Clues" albums, so it's a pretty important episode.
"Blue's Pajama Party"
Blue's first-ever sleepover! We play Blue's Clues with Steve to find out what Blue wants to do tonight.
"Steve Goes to College"
Definitely an important episode. This ep is the final episode in the "Meet Joe" arc. Joe takes over hosting duties for the show and Steve goes away to "college."
"Blue Takes You to School"
Actually, I don't really think too much of this. The pacing is too fast-paced and rushed and it doesn't really seem to work. The idea of this one though is that the viewers, Blue and Joe are helping Periwinkle out as he goes to school for the first time.
"The Legend of the Blue Puppy"
Whether you like "Blue's Room" or not, this is definitely a major one. This is the episode in which Blue learns of her legend and searches for a special key to unlock her greatest gift --- her playroom. Once she finds it, she enters Blue's Room for the first time and talks.
"Blue's Room Snacktime Play Date"
You know, "Blue's Room" has actually become a pretty good show, but this pilot episode does not do it justice. They're trying to introduce every character and the pacing is just really slow and boring. This episode is practically unwatchable and the only good thing about it is the reading of "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Avoid.Overall, "Blue's Clues" fans will probably be interested in this tenth anniversary collection. However, if you already have all these episodes on DVD or your own tapes, there may not be much for you here.Blue's Clues - Blue's Biggest Stories (1996) Overview

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