Movies & Books

Dumbo 70th Anniversary Edition-Classic Lessons For All

22 September 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

“The very things that held you down, are gonna carry you up and up and up!” ~Timothy Q. Mouse

Dumbo has always held a special place in my heart, I think for its quiet simplicity and life-lessons. Unlike the previous Disney animated films of Snow White and Pinocchio, there were no real “scary” parts for me as a child, so it was therefore a safe movie to see again and again. Of course I wasn’t around when it first premiered in 1941, but I do remember being slightly scared by the evil Queen and the Pleasure Island scenes in Pinocchio and relieved by the lack of those elements in Dumbo. While we did own Dumbo on VHS, it had been quite some time since I’d viewed this classic and I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed seeing it again.

This 70th Anniversary edition DVD and Blu-ray combo pack are impeccably restored and you’d think the film was just released with its crisp, clean animation. Dumbo is notably one of only two Disney animated feature films to use watercolor backgrounds. Lilo and Stitch animators used some watercolor backgrounds as a nod to this classic style. The result in the film is a beautiful environment that just draws you right in.

Things I never really paid attention to before this viewing of Dumbo are how the elephants are the only animals which speak (aside from Timothy, the Stork and the crows of course). All the other circus animals are much less detailed, letting the audience know that our story lies here, with Mrs. Jumbo and her precious baby and not with other popular animals like lions and tigers. The elephant ladies are given human-like characteristics of being proud and gossipy, and showing emotion in the case of Mrs. Jumbo. What mama doesn’t feel the same sense of pride and need to defend one’s child if attacked? We instantly feel for Dumbo and his mom, knowing they are different than the other, rude and shallow elephants that rely on appearances and worrying ‘what the neighbors will think’. At the same time, we see Dumbo jump right into the action and be ready to pull his weight, help out, and be a part of the circus family.

Dumbo and Timothy — Timothy keeps Dumbo motivated

The circus scenes, and in fact the entire movie, do not feature much in the way of human interaction. The faceless roundabouts setting up the circus tents sing a song as they work, the clowns grouse about wanting more money, and the Ringmaster worries only about entertaining the crowds and making money. This is truly an animal’s tale, but a reflection on all of us as well. The result is a captivating tale for little ones, as my almost-3-year-old has been entranced by it ever since I opened the case. It is rare he’ll sit through an entire film of any sort, animated or otherwise. Dumbo has held his attention and been on repeat for the last 4 days! The dialogue is scarce, and as a result, has much more meaning when it is spoken.

Some history about Dumbo of interest, it was actually produced in the midst of the Disney animator’s strike, which resulted in several strikers receiving caricatured appearances as the clowns, complaining of wanting more money. In addition, Dumbo was created in an attempt to recoup financial losses from Pinocchio and Fantasia, which is why the film is so stark and plain in detail, compared to the first two films. I think this is exactly what makes the film so heartwarming, as you focus more on the characters and Dumbo’s story than on other details. Dumbo does not utter a word, but captures our heart completely. Each song is memorable and singable and the hi-jinx from Sterling Holloway as the Stork leave you smiling.

An exception to this simplicity is, of course, the Pink Elephants on Parade scene, which comes to pass as Dumbo and Timothy accidentally imbibe water laced with Champagne. After viewing this fantastical segment multiple times over the past week, this has become one of my favorite animated sequences ever. I’m no Disney historian, but I think you can definitely feel the Fantasia vibe here, as well as some foreshadowing of the upcoming Three Caballeros South American influence. Truly a unique and masterful spotlight on Disney animation. And Technicolor pachyderms.

Now you’ve made it through the entire review and I didn’t even mention Baby Mine. You didn’t think I’d forget, did you? Of course this heartfelt, tear-inducing song is one of the most tender moments of the film and certainly part of what makes it a classic in every sense of the word. I sung it to all of my babies and it still brings a tear to my eye today. Motherly love at its finest.

Back to Timothy’s quote – the life lessons within Dumbo hold true and are relatable to by every generation since its release. You may not be what society expects you to be, but being yourself and owning your individuality can lead to great success. And despite thinking you have something holding you back, it just might lift you up. Magic feather or no, you truly can fly in life, if you believe in yourself.

Dumbo dvd Blu-ray — Click to purchase the combo-pack

So whether you are just a Disney fan picking this up for your collection, or a family looking to entertain your little ones, or a Disneyphile looking for a snapshot into Disney history, this is a must-have for you. There aren’t too many DVD bonus features, but the Blu-ray definitely offers more, so I highly recommend the combo pack for the most options. The Blu-ray has additional animated shorts, art galleries and games in addition to deleted scenes and songs, as well as expanded viewing experience and Cine-explore experience. The DVD also features the deleted scenes, making-of, and some behind-the-scenes featurettes. The deleted scene shows Timothy Mouse’s explanation of why elephants are afraid of mice, saying how millions and millions of years ago in “pre-hysterical times” giant mice 100 times as big as a circus tent roamed the earth, with “tails as long and fat as a sewer pipe”. A fun, if unrealized little scene.

Be sure to check out the Backstage at Disney scenes in the Bonus Features. This showcases the the sound effects created for the black and white Casey Jr. train scene in The Reluctant Dragon and it is, in a word, amazing. What a treat to see the original voice and sound actors creating movie magic. Did you know Casey Jr. was “voiced” by a woman? You can see the Sonovox technology used to create Casey Jr.’s signature train-whistle style of sound. This also held my littlest guy’s attention, assuring me that he’s got the Disney gene.

Final Official Muppets Movie Poster

29 July 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

We’ve seen all of the hype and the trailers, now it’s time to see the final official movie poster for The Muppets – opening November 23, 2011! Click to enlarge and view in high quality: Check out my Muppets Review HERE!

Some fun facts about The Muppets:

Funnyman Jason Segel (TV’s “How I Met Your Mother,” “Forgetting Sarah Marshall”) stars in, co-writes and executive produces “The Muppets.”
· “The Muppets” is directed by James Bobin, who was a director/writer/EP for HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords.”
· Kermit received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2002. His song “The Rainbow Connection” was nominated for an Academy Award®.
· Bret McKenzie, who starred in, wrote for and served as composer for HBO’s “Flight of the Conchords,” is the music supervisor for “The Muppets,” as well as the writer/producer on some of the songs, which include big Muppet-style opening and closing numbers.
· It’s been 11 years since the Muppets’ last big-screen feature film.

Winnie the Pooh Movie Strikes a Balance With Classic Characters

11 July 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

*spoilers may be contained within the review below, so please read at your own risk!

Tonight my daughter and I were treated to a screening of Winnie the Pooh, which opens nationwide this Friday, July 15th. Competing with the final installment of the Harry Potter series sets the bar high for expectations but I think with the older age range for Harry Potter, Winnie the Pooh is a great alternative for younger families or those with little siblings.

The film opens with a live-action view of Christopher Robin’s home – the hallway leading up to his room as the narrator (John Cleese) tells us all about Christopher Robin’s collections, including his favorites, his stuffed animals. The narrator lets us know that all of their adventures take place right here, in the 100 Acre Wood, as the classic Winnie the Pooh book opens up and we are taken inside. The film continues in this informal manner, with the narrator conversing with Pooh and Pooh and the other characters using the letters and words as props within the movie. In this way, fans of the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh attraction at Walt Disney World will feel an instant connection between the movie and the child-friendly ride. In the way that so many musicals become movies or movies become musicals, I felt like the ride had become a movie in a way. Of course both take their content from the classic A.A. Milne stories and this new take on Winnie the Pooh was definitely a proper treatment and handling.

I felt as though Tigger’s voice and character got a bit of ‘updating’ and was a bit Jim Carey-ish, which appealed to the youngest audience members. Piglet, always my favorite, was definitely not as main a character, nor was Rabbit, compared to the attention spent on Owl, Eeyore, Pooh and to a lesser extent, Tigger. Pooh was definitely the main attraction with his hour-long quest for “hunny” and the lesson he learns about friendship along the way. Another ‘character’ within the story is actually the “rumbly in Pooh’s tumbly” which sort of takes on its own personality throughout the film and kept the laughs going.

I won’t give too much of the storyline away but I will say that it was short and sweet and full of physical gags and hi-jinx that kept every child in attendance entertained. Older fans that were lured in by the Zooey Deschannel and Keane music used in the ad campaigns may be a little disappointed in the lack of real emotional pull. I was going in fully expecting to be tearing up at one if not several points in the film, based on the teasers I’d seen. The story was nice and sweet, but not sad or overly sentimental.

Two of my favorite aspects of the film were the way Tigger was drawn and Kanga’s personality. Tigger was very sketch-like, where you could see his little shaded in stripes. It didn’t really look like any of the other characters were drawn in that manner, but I really liked Tigger’s look and it seemed to mesh with the letters/pages that we kept seeing as the movie progressed.

Up to now Kanga has been the ever-perfect mother in the 100 Acre Wood, who takes care of not only little Roo but everyone else as well. There are a few jokes in this story that let you know the writers understand a mother’s/parent’s plight and understand parents are who will be in the audience with their little Roos. In particular, there is a song all the characters sing when each person ‘wins’ the contest to find Eeyore a new tail. When Kanga finally finds a tail, they all start to sing and she says, “No, no, no singing, thank you!” which is certainly an emotion parents know all too well, when the best reward to a parent is sometimes just silence.

Also shown with feature is the short film The Ballad of Nessie. In discussing the short with friends after the show, we all seemed to have different opinions of it, but I loved it. It reminded me in style and design of the classic Disney shorts from the Tall Tales – Paul Bunyan, Johnny Appleseed, even Pecos Bill and Slue-foot Sue from Melody Time. Narrated by Billy Connolly (which works nicely as a segue to the upcoming Disney Pixar film Brave), Nessie herself does not speak. The theme of the short also reminded me of the Pixar short Boundin’, my favorite of the Pixar shorts.

Nessie’s happy home is taken away when a greedy golfer decides to make it into a course for his own personal use. The villain is not the real antagonist of the short, however. Rather it’s Nessie’s fruitless struggle to find a home and her being told at every turn to keep her chin up and not to cry, which plague Nessie as she deals with no one wanting her around. After holding in her tears for so long, Nessie finally cannot contain her sadness and cries and cries until she forms the entire Loch Ness – her new home. The lesson the narrator leaves us with is that it’s okay to cry and sometimes tears allow the best of us to shine through. And yes, I *did* tear up at that!

If you are a Winnie the Pooh fan or have little ones, you will not be disappointed with Disney’s newest treatment. The Zooey Deschannel songs sound like they came right out of the original time period of the very first Disney film featuring our favorite stuffed friends, and the sight gags and short length (right about an hour) will ensure happy faces on all family members. For those who think it’s not worth it, all I am saying, is give Pooh a chance.

Winnie the…Potter??

8 July 2011 by Suzannah Otis 2 Comments

Disney just sent over these cute spoof videos for the Winnie the Pooh movie, which happens to be opening on July 15th…the same day as another little film you may have heard of about a boy wizard…I love when Disney has a sense of humor about their films!

“Like” WINNIE THE POOH on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/WinniethePooh.

WINNIE THE POOH opens in theatres everywhere on July 15th.

GUEST POST: Easy Living Comes Easy For Bears

30 June 2011 by Ryan P. Wilson Leave a Comment

If your childhood was anything like mine, then you spent a good deal of your allotted television time watching VHS of Walt Disney Home Videos. You know, the white plastic-cased movies sporting Sorcerer Mickey on the cover. My absolute favorite of these VHS tapes, the one I had memorized the spot of in the video rental store, was Yellowstone Cubs.

The feature followed around two bear cubs, Tuffy and Tubby, who had become separated from their mother, Necomas, after a family decides to feed the family of bears against the park’s warnings. Throughout the tale the cubs provide the comic relief, in the form of crashes, smorgasbord feedings and even a runaway motorboat. Meanwhile, the mama bear tugs on your heartstrings during her journey to find her cubs, a quest that leads her across the park and even labels her a dangerous bear. The feature also sought to inform viewers not just about the habits of bears, but also about the natural wonder that is Yellowstone. In the end, the family is reunited at Old Faithful Inn and sent on about their business.

In the incarnation of the video I watched so often, it was a double feature with the 1961 Walt Disney’s Wonderful World of Color segment, Flash the Teenage Otter. Flash is great in its own rights, but in my heart, it’s no Yellowstone Cubs. But the double feature concept was not new to the Yellowstone Cubs. Due to its short length, only 48 minutes, the film was paired up with Savage Sam for their June 1, 1963 debut.

Aside from the antics of the bears themselves, the narrator was one of the more memorable elements of Yellowstone Cubs. In all likelihood, that voice narrated a great deal of all of our childhoods, as it was none other than Rex Allen. Aside from narrating a selection of Walt Disney wildlife documentaries and films, he also narrated the Shaggy D.A. and Charlotte’s Web. He was well known as a singing cowboy, which came in handy for Yellowstone Cubs’ Easy Living, and often played a cowboy who may not have shared his profession, but definitely shared his name.

I hope you enjoyed wandering down the trail and reminiscing with me today, and I hope these photographs of Tubby sucking down a bottle, Necomas rummaging through a trailer, and Tuffy and Tubby stuffing themselves in the kitchen of Old Faithful Inn brought back some memories for you.

Disney Pixar’s BRAVE Official Teaser Trailer and Wallpaper

29 June 2011 by Suzannah Otis Leave a Comment

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I’ve been excited about DisneyPixar’s Brave since first hearing about it, back when the working title was “The Bear and the Bow” (I like BRAVE much better for the record) and now that we’ve been treated to Brave concept art and official promotional posters, the excitement is growing. During the Cars 2 screening I was able to attend a few weeks back, we saw the Official Brave Trailer (click to view in full-screen hi-def) and I was blown away. I am in love with the rich landscapes and unbelievable detail shown here. Pixar is already known as masters of realistic-looking designs and characters but this type of mythical environment is something new. Critics are saying it is on par with Hiyao Miyazaki‘s films, with which I am also obsessed, for their reverence and amazing depiction of nature. Well enough babble from me, let’s watch the trailer!

I’m also including this official image release, which if you click to enlarge and right click on, you can save it for wallpaper on your computer – it’s currently on mine! Enjoy Princess Merida!

Brave Meridia First Image — Click to enlarge and save as wallpaper!

EDIT: After watching the trailer a few dozen times, I decided to take this screenshot from one of my favorite parts of the trailer. It’s not going to be as high quality as the above official photo, but I thought I’d share it anyway in case anyone else loved this sweeping scene of the castle and surrounding mountains. Click to enlarge and save if you’d like.

Become a fan of Brave on Facebook: http://facebook.com/PixarBrave

Official Brave Website: http://disney.com/Brave

Brave coming to US theaters June 22, 2012

Edward Scissorhands Lived in My Backyard! Filming Locations

28 June 2011 by Suzannah Otis 66 Comments

Figuratively speaking of course. Soon after moving to the Wesley Chapel area of Florida (outside Tampa) in 2005, I discovered that the next town over was one of the filming locations for the Tim Burton classic Edward Scissorhands. Google told me that a tiny subdivision in Lutz (pronounced lootz), FL named Carpenter’s Run was where the infamous cookie-cutter neighborhood of the movie was filmed. The small, single-story ranch homes had served as the backdrop for one of my favorite movies of all time, and I could drive to it and see for myself. So I did. [Nine years after this article was first posted, I’ve updated the links and videos.]

Edward Scissorhands house in Lutz — The house as it looked during filming

Edward’s Neighborhood

I decided to do some further research and was able to drive through the Carpenter’s Run subdivision and attempt to find Edward’s house. Or Winona Ryder’s, really. Edward’s house, the Gothic castle-like mansion at the end of the street on a hill (a site that would’ve been pretty noticeable in the flat, Florida landscape), was actually just a facade built in a separate location. Keep reading to get to a fun local news story showing the construction of the castle in Dade City. The neighboring town of Land O’ Lakes was also used to gather the plants needed for filming.

Edward Scissorhand's Castle — The Edward Scissorhand’s Castle facade

Shopping Plaza and Cast Hotel

More exterior shots, in the shopping center, were filmed in nearby Lakeland, FL and most of those locations are also still intact today. In addition, the Edward Scissorhands cast stayed at the Saddlebrook Resort, a golf and tennis compound which also features condos, townhomes and houses to vacation in or own. Saddlebrook is actually in the town I lived in back when this article was first posted, and just a few miles down the road from where I lived.

Southgate Shopping Center Edward Scissorhands — Southgate Shopping Center in Lakeland, FL, today

Driving through the Carpenter’s Run neighborhood, I couldn’t easily tell which houses were used in the filming. Tim Burton had them all painted pastel like Easter eggs for filming. In order to achieve that cookie-cutter uniformity, Burton even boarded up windows or other architectural details. When filming was complete, all of the houses were returned to their ‘normal’ state. Now 30 years have passed, and I’m sure many neighbors have made their own changes to the homes there. I was able to find out that the family home was actually on the corner of Tinsmith Circle. I never would’ve recognized it without knowing.

The Edward Scissorhand House today…you’d never know

I love little back-stories and behind-the-scenes facts like this. Since I live in central Florida, most of the behind-the-scenes facts I write about are Disney-related. I’m not one to get starstruck, but it would be fun knowing Johnny Depp hung out in your house.

In updating this article, I found an Edward Scissorhands filming locations then and now photo set. The videos below also show you the locations first hand. The local news story from Dade City is pretty funny to watch 30 years later. Enjoy!

Be sure to check the comments below. You’ll read some more fun first-hand accounts from folks who experienced this filming or have more insight. I hope you enjoyed learning more about Edward Scissorhands filming locations. Has anything been filmed in your back yard?

The rest of Zannaland features Disney content, so feel free to stick around and read some other fun articles!

REVIEW: Cars 2 – Lessons for All Ages

20 June 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

Cars 2 Promo — Cars 2 starts its engine June 24, 2011

*This review may contain spoilers, so please proceed in reading at your own risk, thanks!

This past Saturday I was treated to a review of Disney • Pixar‘s latest film, Cars 2 in 3D. There has been a lot of hype leading up to this movie and I was starting to wonder if the film would live up to all of it. Disney has a history of giving everything a sequel (or two) and I worried that the classic story and beautiful animation we all loved in the original Cars would somehow be compromised. It wasn’t going to be like Toy Story 3, where everything was based on tying up story lines and tugging at our heartstrings.

Cars 2 really achieved a balance of a dual kid-friendly story wrapped within a more adult theme, blanketed in absolutely breathtaking visuals and detail. The main theme of the movie is of course Lightning McQueen (Owen Wilson) venturing out beyond the States and its familiar “Piston Cup” to compete with international vehicles in the World Grand Prix. The adult story comes in when the organizer of this World Grand Prix, Sir Miles Axlerod (Eddie Izzard) is attempting to highlight the importance of alternative fuels. This is where the espionage, fuel debate and James Bond-like action come in. Most of this will go over younger kids heads and their focus will be on the real story, that of friendship and loyalty.

Since his regular pit crew is off for the season, Lightning McQueen, in accepting this challenge to compete in the World Grand Prix, must bring his Radiator Springs pals along to Tokyo, Japan, the fictional Porto Corsa, Italy, and London, England. Tow Mater (Larry the Cable Guy) acts the part of the stereotypical “ugly American” and gets caught up in a secret spy mission, where he is mistaken for a secret agent by British Intelligence cars Finn McMissile (Michael Caine) and Holley Shiftwell (Emily Mortimer).

The story here is really Mater-centric and therefore chock-full of gags and visuals that keep the kids (and adults) giggling. Being a lover of all things Japanese, one of my favorite parts was Mater’s visit to a Japanese bathroom with its interactive and full-service toilet!

As the World Grand Prix and the story races on, we are treated to stunning visuals of Tokyo’s Ginza district pulsating with lights and advertisements, London and Paris with it’s beautiful architecture, and Porto Corsa, a coastal city created for the film and combining elements of Monte Carlo and the Amalfi Coast which will make you wish you could plan a vacation there as soon as you leave the theater. Amid all of these true-to-life visuals, the Pixar team has created Car-i-fied versions of landmarks and monuments, so detailed, you will question whether they really belong on the original. As I said on twitter after seeing the film, the kids will love the story (as mine did) but I want to watch the movie 20 times just to drink in all of the amazing backgrounds.

This Triptych poster shows some of the amazing detail you'll find in Cars 2

In truth, I’d watch the film multiple times just to get all the cute car jokes as well. Almost every car on screen has a name with a nod to some human counterpart. I think my favorite may be Brent Mustangburger. Disney • Pixar are known for impeccable detail and story, and Cars 2 is no exception. The soundtrack was a perfect fit as well. I feel confident in recommending it to all ages and can’t wait to enjoy it again. Be sure to get there for the previews to enjoy the short Toy Story Toon: Hawaiian Vacation, which was wonderful. We also enjoyed previews for the upcoming Muppet Movie and Disney • Pixar‘s Brave, which I am so, so excited about.

Toy Story "HAWAIIAN VACATION" — Toy Story "Hawaiian Vacation" short

Disney • Pixar’s Cars 2 presented in Disney Digital 3D opens in theaters June 24. You can find more information, activities and fun at Disney.com/cars and become a fan on Facebook by liking DisneyPixarCars.

Step Into the Studios Past With McDonald’s Dick Tracy Crimestoppers Game

14 June 2011 by Ryan P. Wilson 8 Comments

There is something to be said for Disney, and that is that there is something for everyone, from film genres to theme park experiences. Even within a single park theater buffs can find an enjoyable show, while those who detest such theatrics can find an incredible rollercoaster. Expand that idea outward into Disney’s other enterprises, and animation lovers have a wide berth of movies to choose from, whereas macho men have sporting news and events 24/7 on ESPN. Mix in a variety of merchandise for each avenue of entertainment, and there is indeed something centered around any given interest for individuals to collect.

Take me for example. My love affairs with Star Wars, Indiana Jones, Expedition Everest, Disneynature, Frontierland, EPCOT Center, Zorro, Davy Crockett, etc. have all been well documented. Two other films I have long fancied have not been as readily recorded, not because I am ashamed of them, but merely because there is so little to really be gathered on the topics. I am of course speaking of The Rocketeer and Dick Tracy. It is treasures from these movies that really set my heart soaring while I scramble for my checkbook.

If there is a single item related to Dick Tracy that I have continually sought after it is a collection of Crimestopper game pieces tied to the 1990 release. The two stage scratch-offs were from McDonald’s and included a multiple choice scene and a mug shot.

In the multiple choice section, a painted backdrop is used to highlight a scene in which the customer, aka detective, is given an assignment, including finding the location of a robbery, a gangster cheating at cards, or the hiding place of key evidence. Three of the five rub off spots were GAME OVER boxes, while one led to a successful mission and prizes such as free food and drinks, coupons, and cash prizes. The remaining spot was always a tip to the winning location. This often took the form of telling customers which box (A, B, C, D, or E) to scratch, but in the best of cards it was a clue, for example to try the tallest gangster or search near the telephone. This game play made me love these pieces as a kid, and I was drawn to McDonald’s as often as I could convince my parents to drive me there.

The second stage of the game, detachable from the colorful movie scene, featured the name and mug shot of a wanted mobster. Throughout the contest, near mug shots would appear on a most wanted board at participating restaurants. Match a mug shot to your game piece and collect your rewards, up to $1,000,000!

After years of sifting through the evidence, I now have a completed set, well of the scenes at least, with several extras I’ve been able to scratch off. For those of you who enjoy all things tied to the yellow clad detective, I present a full set of scenes and assignments for you to enjoy!

The Scene: A burglary is in progress.
Your Assignment: Help Dick Tracy find the thief’s location.

The Scene: Dick Tracy is chasing The Kid who stole an old man’s watch.
Your Assignment: Find where The Kid threw the stolen watch.

The Scene: Tess Trueheart is being followed.
Your Assignment: Find the mobster following her.

The Scene: The mobsters are at Club Ritz.
Your Assignment: Find the mobster passing counterfeit money.

The Scene: Someone is going through Dick Tracy’s desk.
Your Assignment: Find the evidence that identifies the intruder.

The Scene: The police line-up.
Your Assignment: Pick out the bank robber.

The Scene: The jewel thief is hiding from the police.
Your Assignment: Find his hideout.

The Scene: A bank robber is escaping in a car.
Your Assignment: Find his getaway car.

The Scene: The boiler is about to explode.
Your Assignment: Find Dick Tracy’s best escape route.

The Scene: The Mob is planning a robbery.
Your Assignment: Find who is masterminding the robbery.

The Scene: The Kid is running from The Brow.
Your Assignment: Find where the mobster is.

The Scene: The Mob’s Card Game.
Your Assignment: Find which mobster is cheating.

Lemonade Mouth Extended Edition DVD-Summertime Fun for All

3 June 2011 by Suzannah Otis 1 Comment

When I received a review copy of the Lemonade Mouth Extended Edition DVD in the mail, my 10 year-old daughter had already watched it a few times on the Disney Channel. That didn’t stop her excitement when she saw the DVD and when I asked her if she wanted to watch it, she shouted “UH, YEAH!!!”. So we did just that.

Be Heard. Be Strong. Be Proud

It’s time to turn up the music and have some fun with an all-new Disney Original Movie, starring Bridget Mendler and Adam Hicks and introducing ten awesome new songs.

When five ragtag freshmen first meet in detention, it seems they have nothing in common. But, through music, they form an unbreakable bond and discover they have the makings of the greatest high school garage band in history! In the face of incredible odds, Olivia, Stella, Wen, Mohini, and Charlie find they can make a real difference when they learn to lean on each other and let go of everything holding back their dreams.

That’s the synopsis of the movie, so I wasn’t sure what I was in for, having grown up with now-classic John Hughes films. Buuut…I actually liked it too! It’s easy to want to rally against a character as evil as Principal Brenigen, who, in his quest to bring in more money for the school has focused all of his efforts and funding on sports, banishes all other extra-curricular activities to the basement.

On the first day of school, Stella gets detention for standing up for her own creativity and gains entrance into this underground lair of frustrated kids. Stella plays guitar and, after bonding over the organic lemonade sold in a vending machine outside the detention room, connects with other musician-outcasts to form the band Lemonade Mouth.

lemonade mouth cast — The cast of Lemonade Mouth with the other star - Mel's Lemonade!

It’s not all sunshine and rainbows from that point on. The kids must then battle their way to the top against the “cool kids” band, Mudslide Crush. I won’t give away the ending, but it didn’t really end in the predictable way, another thing that made me appreciate the movie. By the last song, I was dancing around the living room with my daughter (sorry, no pics of that) and was genuinely glad we’d watched it together. The message here is one of determination, individuality and strength, without being sickeningly sweet. These kids have real problems and real family issues, which makes them much more identifiable to the average tween or teen watching.

Just like my daughter’s favorite song below, “More Than a Band” – Lemonade Mouth is more than just another Disney Channel musical movie.

As school is getting out for the summer, this DVD is a great choice to keep kids entertained and motivated – maybe even start a band! 😉

The highly-anticipated 2-Disc DVD + Digitial Copy features an exclusive extended music scene that you can only get on the extended edition DVD release. Check out the DVD and Soundtrack on mp3 below: