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Rolie Polie Olie - Baby Bot Chase
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // G // June 3, 2003
List Price: $24.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie
With the success of films such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo, computer animation has made its way into television as well. Computer animated shows can now be seen all over TV, aimed at both older and younger children. One of the most popular shows for the youngsters is The Disney Channel's "Rolie Polie Olie".
"Rolie Polie Olie", which is based on a series of children's book by William Joyce, is set on a planet which looks like Earth, but is decidedly different. This world is inhabited by robots, and practically every object is alive. The show focuses one robot family -- Olie (voiced by Cole Caplan) is a fun-loving young boy, who enjoys playing with his sister Zowie (voiced by Kristen Bone), and his Mom (voiced by Catherine Disher) and Dad (voiced by Adrian Truss), and of course, his dog Spot (Voiced by Robert Smity). Olie and his family have many adventures together, and they also enjoy the occasional visit from their Uncle Gizmo (also voiced by Truss), who is apparently an Elvis impersonator.
The Baby Bot Chase is the first full-length movie based on "Rolie Polie Olie". In the movie, it's time for Olie's favorite holiday, "Family Frolic Day", and he and Zowie want to get their parents the perfect gift. Olie decides that a Wishing Star would be the best gift, that way Mom and Dad could wish for whatever they wanted. So, with the help of Polie-Anna (voiced by Tedde Moore), the kids hitch a ride with Gloomius Maximus (voiced by Paul Haddad), a space-pirate. While fishing for a Wishing Star, the group accidentally reels in to baby robots, Coochie and Coo (both voiced by Julie Lemieux). Unsure what to do with the little one's, Olie and Zowie return home. There, Mom and Dad decide that the family must return these two cute kids to their home.
As a parent, and as a critic who enjoys reviewing children's media, I've watched a lot of kid's TV over the last few years, and I feel that I have a handle on most of the programming. But, "Rolie Polie Olie" remains an enigma to me. I just don't understand this show. On the TV show, each "episode" consists of two short segments which focus on an adventure of Olie and his family -- and those stories are fairly straightforward. But, as an adult, I try too hard to read into the show, as I attempt to grasp what Olie can walk around, but his couch, which is clearly "alive" can't. But, of course, I'm not the target audience for this show. At 70-minutes, The Baby Bot Chase equals three episodes of the show and the length is probably appropriate for most youngsters. However, the story in the movie does jump around a bit, as there are several subplots going on at once. And, I must admit, I never did figure out exactly where Coochie and Coo came from. (It's some kind of baby factory, which is either clever, or horribly disturbing.) Still, there is always something happening on-screen and the bright colors of the shows should entertain those under 5.
Video
In a move that is no great surprise, The Baby Bot Chase is presented in a full-frame (1.33:1) aspect ratio, so that the tots won't be too confused. The image is very sharp and clear, showing no grain or defects. The animation here is actually better than that which is featured on the show. The image is much cleaner, and there is no pixellation around the characters. The bright, pastel colors look fantastic, as yellow is the dominant hue in Olie's world.
Audio
In a move which is surprising, the primary audio track on this DVD is a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. This track sounds very good, as it provides clear dialogue and sound effects. There is a very clever use of surround sound effects here, and the rear speakers constantly produce background and ambient sounds. There is even some moderate bass response produced by Gloomius Maximus' spaceship. For a kid's video, this DVD has pretty good sound.
Extras
The DVD is a bit slim in the special features department, as it contains only two set-top games. In "Burping Baby Bot", the viewer gets to choose from 8 food items to feed a baby bot. Then, you get to sit back and see what kind of reaction it creates -- either a coo of satisfaction, or a burp. Weird! The other game is essentially "3 Card Monte", as a baby bot is placed in one of three tea cups which are then shuffled. The viewer must choose the correct tea cup and find the baby. Did I say Weird! already?
Those youngsters who enjoy the "Rolie Polie Olie" TV show should love The Baby Bot Chase, as it is essentially one long episode of the show. But, here's a word of caution to adults: If you watch this one with your kids, don't think too hard!
With the success of films such as Toy Story and Finding Nemo, computer animation has made its way into television as well. Computer animated shows can now be seen all over TV, aimed at both older and younger children. One of the most popular shows for the youngsters is The Disney Channel's "Rolie Polie Olie".
"Rolie Polie Olie", which is based on a series of children's book by William Joyce, is set on a planet which looks like Earth, but is decidedly different. This world is inhabited by robots, and practically every object is alive. The show focuses one robot family -- Olie (voiced by Cole Caplan) is a fun-loving young boy, who enjoys playing with his sister Zowie (voiced by Kristen Bone), and his Mom (voiced by Catherine Disher) and Dad (voiced by Adrian Truss), and of course, his dog Spot (Voiced by Robert Smity). Olie and his family have many adventures together, and they also enjoy the occasional visit from their Uncle Gizmo (also voiced by Truss), who is apparently an Elvis impersonator.
The Baby Bot Chase is the first full-length movie based on "Rolie Polie Olie". In the movie, it's time for Olie's favorite holiday, "Family Frolic Day", and he and Zowie want to get their parents the perfect gift. Olie decides that a Wishing Star would be the best gift, that way Mom and Dad could wish for whatever they wanted. So, with the help of Polie-Anna (voiced by Tedde Moore), the kids hitch a ride with Gloomius Maximus (voiced by Paul Haddad), a space-pirate. While fishing for a Wishing Star, the group accidentally reels in to baby robots, Coochie and Coo (both voiced by Julie Lemieux). Unsure what to do with the little one's, Olie and Zowie return home. There, Mom and Dad decide that the family must return these two cute kids to their home.
As a parent, and as a critic who enjoys reviewing children's media, I've watched a lot of kid's TV over the last few years, and I feel that I have a handle on most of the programming. But, "Rolie Polie Olie" remains an enigma to me. I just don't understand this show. On the TV show, each "episode" consists of two short segments which focus on an adventure of Olie and his family -- and those stories are fairly straightforward. But, as an adult, I try too hard to read into the show, as I attempt to grasp what Olie can walk around, but his couch, which is clearly "alive" can't. But, of course, I'm not the target audience for this show. At 70-minutes, The Baby Bot Chase equals three episodes of the show and the length is probably appropriate for most youngsters. However, the story in the movie does jump around a bit, as there are several subplots going on at once. And, I must admit, I never did figure out exactly where Coochie and Coo came from. (It's some kind of baby factory, which is either clever, or horribly disturbing.) Still, there is always something happening on-screen and the bright colors of the shows should entertain those under 5.
Video
In a move that is no great surprise, The Baby Bot Chase is presented in a full-frame (1.33:1) aspect ratio, so that the tots won't be too confused. The image is very sharp and clear, showing no grain or defects. The animation here is actually better than that which is featured on the show. The image is much cleaner, and there is no pixellation around the characters. The bright, pastel colors look fantastic, as yellow is the dominant hue in Olie's world.
Audio
In a move which is surprising, the primary audio track on this DVD is a Dolby Digital 5.1 mix. This track sounds very good, as it provides clear dialogue and sound effects. There is a very clever use of surround sound effects here, and the rear speakers constantly produce background and ambient sounds. There is even some moderate bass response produced by Gloomius Maximus' spaceship. For a kid's video, this DVD has pretty good sound.
Extras
The DVD is a bit slim in the special features department, as it contains only two set-top games. In "Burping Baby Bot", the viewer gets to choose from 8 food items to feed a baby bot. Then, you get to sit back and see what kind of reaction it creates -- either a coo of satisfaction, or a burp. Weird! The other game is essentially "3 Card Monte", as a baby bot is placed in one of three tea cups which are then shuffled. The viewer must choose the correct tea cup and find the baby. Did I say Weird! already?
Those youngsters who enjoy the "Rolie Polie Olie" TV show should love The Baby Bot Chase, as it is essentially one long episode of the show. But, here's a word of caution to adults: If you watch this one with your kids, don't think too hard!
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