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Bear in The Big Blue House - Dance Party
Columbia/Tri-Star // G // August 20, 2002
List Price: $19.95 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The landscape of children's entertainment is a vast one and it can be a challenge for modern parents to find something appropriate for their child to view. Fortunately, there are a few names out there that one can trust, such as Jim Henson Entertainment. And while the great man may have passed on, his company continues to create wonderful family fare, such as the charming "Bear in the Big Blue House", which is broadcast on The Disney Channel, and released episodically on DVD. The latest release is entitled "Dance Party!"
The Movie
For those of you who aren't familiar with "Bear in the Big Blue House", a brief introduction is in order. The world of the program is inhabited by the same kind of Muppets that we are familiar with from shows such as "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show". The action here takes place in (surprise!) a big blue house, which is owned by Bear. Bear is a big and lovable fellow, who is very patient and kind, and who loves to dance. Bear shares his home with Tutter, an energetic blue mouse who is always on the go and is always looking for cheese. Pip and Pop, the purple otters, live in the nearby Otter Pond, where they enjoy playing and getting into trouble. Treelo, a green and blue lemur, lives in a tree beside the blue house. And while Treelo is difficult to understand at times (he appears to be a baby), he's always ready for fun. The final member of the cast is Ojo, a young female bear who always looks to Bear for guidance.
Unlike many of today's shows for kids, "Bear in the Big Blue House" deftly combines entertainment with learning, and never talks down to the viewer. The show is essentially aimed at 2-8 year olds, but can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Most episodes begin with Bear introducing a theme (with the word spelled out on the screen), and then this idea is carried out during the show. The colorful sets, unusual characters, and great songs (there have been two soundtrack CDs thus far) should hold the attention of most any child. And adults will certainly get a kick out of the comedic Tutter and the unusual songs provided by Bear's friend Shadow (who is, in fact, a shadow).
The latest "Bear" DVD is entitled "Dance Party!" and it certainly lives up to its name. Each show here deals with music or dancing. The first episode, "Music to My Ears", introduces the audience to the many different types of music that exist in our world. The residents of the Blue House have decided to put together a band, but Tutter can't find an instrument which is right for him. In the end, he learns that his voice is an instrument. This episode teaches kids that anyone can get involved in music, no matter what their talent level may be.
In the second show, "Dance Fever" (no, Denny Terrio doesn't show up), everyone in the Blue House feels like dancing. This show basically explores the many different types of dancing and shows that dancing is fun, a great form of self-expression, and good exercise.
The final episode, "I For-Got Rhythm?!", shows a distraught Bear forgetting how to do his beloved Cha-cha-cha (his favorite dance). With help from his friends, Bear re-discovers his rhythm. This episode introduces the concept of rhythm and how it works in music.
When compared to other children's programs, "Bear in the Big Blue House" comes away as a clear winner. When compared to other "Bear" compilations, this collection is fair. The problem is the subject matter. Teaching the younger viewers about the value of music is a very good idea and shows how diverse this show is. But, the idea is a bit superficial, and doesn't really lend itself to teaching any large lessons. Still, these episodes are among the most entertaining in the "Bear" ouvre and there's nothing wrong with just having fun.
Picture
As "Bear in the Big Blue House" is a children's television program, the shows are presented on this DVD in their original full frame format. The show is shot on high end video and the image here is crystal clear. There is no video noise or distortion and the picture rivals digital broadcast quality. The bright colors look fantastic here as well.
Sound
The audio on this DVD is a Dolby 2-channel surround track which provides clear dialogue and nice reproduction on the music. There is no audible hissing on the track and the sound is well-balanced. The surround sound action is limited mostly to musical cues and there isn't very much stereo seperation, but for a kid's show, it's sounds pretty good.
Extras
The only extras on this DVD are four sing-a-longs (which are simply scenes from the show with exaggerated subtitles containing the song lyrics) and bonus trailers for other family DVDs from Columbia.
Parents who aren't familiar with "Bear in the Big Blue House" should check it out right away. Your kids will be hooked immediately and Bear will be their best friend. Then, they'll drag you to the Disney Store to see all of the latest "Bear" merchandise!
The Movie
For those of you who aren't familiar with "Bear in the Big Blue House", a brief introduction is in order. The world of the program is inhabited by the same kind of Muppets that we are familiar with from shows such as "Sesame Street" and "The Muppet Show". The action here takes place in (surprise!) a big blue house, which is owned by Bear. Bear is a big and lovable fellow, who is very patient and kind, and who loves to dance. Bear shares his home with Tutter, an energetic blue mouse who is always on the go and is always looking for cheese. Pip and Pop, the purple otters, live in the nearby Otter Pond, where they enjoy playing and getting into trouble. Treelo, a green and blue lemur, lives in a tree beside the blue house. And while Treelo is difficult to understand at times (he appears to be a baby), he's always ready for fun. The final member of the cast is Ojo, a young female bear who always looks to Bear for guidance.
Unlike many of today's shows for kids, "Bear in the Big Blue House" deftly combines entertainment with learning, and never talks down to the viewer. The show is essentially aimed at 2-8 year olds, but can be enjoyed by viewers of all ages. Most episodes begin with Bear introducing a theme (with the word spelled out on the screen), and then this idea is carried out during the show. The colorful sets, unusual characters, and great songs (there have been two soundtrack CDs thus far) should hold the attention of most any child. And adults will certainly get a kick out of the comedic Tutter and the unusual songs provided by Bear's friend Shadow (who is, in fact, a shadow).
The latest "Bear" DVD is entitled "Dance Party!" and it certainly lives up to its name. Each show here deals with music or dancing. The first episode, "Music to My Ears", introduces the audience to the many different types of music that exist in our world. The residents of the Blue House have decided to put together a band, but Tutter can't find an instrument which is right for him. In the end, he learns that his voice is an instrument. This episode teaches kids that anyone can get involved in music, no matter what their talent level may be.
In the second show, "Dance Fever" (no, Denny Terrio doesn't show up), everyone in the Blue House feels like dancing. This show basically explores the many different types of dancing and shows that dancing is fun, a great form of self-expression, and good exercise.
The final episode, "I For-Got Rhythm?!", shows a distraught Bear forgetting how to do his beloved Cha-cha-cha (his favorite dance). With help from his friends, Bear re-discovers his rhythm. This episode introduces the concept of rhythm and how it works in music.
When compared to other children's programs, "Bear in the Big Blue House" comes away as a clear winner. When compared to other "Bear" compilations, this collection is fair. The problem is the subject matter. Teaching the younger viewers about the value of music is a very good idea and shows how diverse this show is. But, the idea is a bit superficial, and doesn't really lend itself to teaching any large lessons. Still, these episodes are among the most entertaining in the "Bear" ouvre and there's nothing wrong with just having fun.
Picture
As "Bear in the Big Blue House" is a children's television program, the shows are presented on this DVD in their original full frame format. The show is shot on high end video and the image here is crystal clear. There is no video noise or distortion and the picture rivals digital broadcast quality. The bright colors look fantastic here as well.
Sound
The audio on this DVD is a Dolby 2-channel surround track which provides clear dialogue and nice reproduction on the music. There is no audible hissing on the track and the sound is well-balanced. The surround sound action is limited mostly to musical cues and there isn't very much stereo seperation, but for a kid's show, it's sounds pretty good.
Extras
The only extras on this DVD are four sing-a-longs (which are simply scenes from the show with exaggerated subtitles containing the song lyrics) and bonus trailers for other family DVDs from Columbia.
Parents who aren't familiar with "Bear in the Big Blue House" should check it out right away. Your kids will be hooked immediately and Bear will be their best friend. Then, they'll drag you to the Disney Store to see all of the latest "Bear" merchandise!
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