Synopsis:

What is a silly song you ask? Well, Veggie Tales are a series of videos and now DVD's that feature uplifting and wholesome stories based in Judeo-Christian value standards. The hosts are Bob The Tomato and Larry the Cucumber! In each volume a "silly song" is used as something like an intermission between the acts of the storylines presented. The very first silly song was entitled "The Water Buffalo Song" wherein, Larry the Cucumber sings about the plusses of owning a Water Buffalo! Later came, "I Love My Lips", "The Pirates who don't do anything", "Endangered Love-AKA Barbara Manatee", "His Cheeseburger", "The Hairbrush Song", "The Song of the Cebu", and many, many others. In the last disc/tape Bob The Tomato and Larry The Cucumber asked that everyone who purchased "Lyle, the kindly Viking" would either submit their choice of "silliest silly song" to Big Idea Productions via snail-mail or e-mail. Tons of kids and parents alike responded and the Ultimate Silly Song countdown is the result. "The Pirates who don't do anything" are the hosts and the votes have been tallied by "The Machine of Ultimate Silliness". Throughout the film, each song is counted down A la "Take Six" vocal chords until the number one Silly Song of all time is presented. As an added treat, the latest silly song entry entitled "Do the Moo-Shoo" is included as well. This is a very funny compilation that had my family doubled over in laughter! There's no fire and brimstone in any of these presentations nor for that matter is there in any of the Big Idea productions (Veggie Tales & 3-2-1 Penguins!) There is however an abundance of wonderful wholesome entertainment that teaches as much and as well as it entertains. The Ultimate Silly Song Countdown is exactly that...silly and very ,very enjoyable!

Audio/Video:

The audio is formatted in both DD2.0 and DD5.1 Silly Surround. Both are great in their presentations however, the obvious choice is the DD5.1 platform. As expected it has a more rounded and even feeling than the DD2.1. The mix for both however, is great! The songs are loud and clear and every bit of dialogue and silly song is very easily understood. There are no surround effects to speak of rather, the surround stage is used to employ the songs throughout the theater. On an occasion or two there is dialogue from the left rear as though someone offstage where commenting. The video is presented in a full frame format and the imagery is crystalline. All of these songs save "Larry's high Silk Hat", had never before to my knowledge, been on any DVD. As this is the second disc issued that would stand to reason. The colors throughout the presentation are rich and full. The saturation levels were dead-on and the overall visual content is very well presented.

Extras:

The extras included on the disc are: Interviews with Creator Phil Vischer and Kurt Heinecke entitled- Behind The Silly Scenes. These guys provide the voices for Bob and Larry and here they explain, the purpose behind the countdown and later provide nuggets of information regarding every video presented in the way of background information and anecdotal humor regarding each entries genesis.

Storyboards for "Do the Moo-Shoo"-very self explanatory.

Moo-Shoo Karaoke-you can choose to be Larry or Mr. Lent or you can be both and do the Moo Shoo with them!

Deleted Countdown Footage-One Scene involving the Pirates Who Don't Do Anything.

Easter Eggs- hidden within the disc are the Japanese version of "the Hairbrush Song", The never-before-heard full version of "Puppies are Cuddly" from Esther, The Voting results for the countdown and the "Oh Santa!" Silly song.

Overall:

This is a great disc that everyone will enjoy! It's silly and funny and cute and tremendously enjoyable ! As the end credits roll, you'll be treated to each of the songs in a more funky and jazzy version than they were originally recorded! The resultant mix is very cool and will give you a serious workout should you try to dance to all the various musical styles involved! If I had a nit-pick it would have been the inclusion of subtitles for each of the songs. Both prior Silly Song tapes had subs included so that you could sing along with the silliness. Unfortunately here, they are absent. Other than that, this disc is really a hoot for the whole family! Highly Recommended