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SYNOPSIS:
When Santa's sleigh breaks down at the top of Mistletoe Mountain,
Mickey and Donald race to his rescue. The gang plays a game
of hide-and-seek with the world's greatest hider - Donald
Duck! And Goofy needs help returning a lost baby bird to its
mother in the forest. Be a part of three hilarious stories
about helping others and discover that the greatest gift of
all is good friends.
MOVIE REVIEW:
After so many years, I still staunchly believe that
the freaky creatures known as the Teletubbies are evil. You
may remember them as the harmless quartet on TV which live
in a strange little dome and make strange noises. I remember
them as weird oddballs which have wicked intentions of brainwashing
viewers. (If you have not heard of these freaks, go check
out how popular they were in the late 1990s).
In a way,
this children’s TV series broadcast on Playhouse Disney
Channel is a little like the Teletubbies. Mickey and his friends
have this dome-like clubhouse which they summon every episode.
Thankfully, Mickey and his pals are so much more wholesome
than the outlandish Teletubbies, and the series is so much
more educational, creative and imaginative too.
There
are three episodes featured in this disc. The first, “Mickey
Saves Santa”, has Mickey, well, saving Santa on Mistletoe
Mountain. The second, “Goofy’s Bird”, sees
Goofy having to return a baby bird back to its parents in
the forest. The third, “Mickey Go Seek”, is simply
about a hide and seek game played by Donald and Mickey.
Running
at 24 minutes each, the episodes are perfect for pre-schoolers,
who can learn while having fun. Don’t be surprised if
your little ones actually interact with what’s happening
on the screen, shouting “Meeska Mooska Mickey Mouse”
to make the clubhouse appear at the beginning of every episode.
Also, to help characters solve problems in each episode, Mickey
will summon the “Mousekatool”, only if you shout
“Oh, Tootles!” with him. Each of the tools on
the circular board can help the characters solve a crisis,
and kids are encouraged to choose the correct tool together
with Mickey.
The Disney
characters are all in their computer-animated forms, and while
it is nothing compared to what Pixar has churned out, the
clean and slick look is still attractive enough to capture
kids’ attention.
Christmas
is coming, and instead of cracking your head over what to
buy for the really young ones, why not get them this educational
disc instead of spending money on yet another cute but pointless
soft toy? Just don’t be surprised if you find yourself
sitting together with them and chanting “Meeska Mooska
Mickey Mouse” and “Oh, Tootles!” in unison.
SPECIAL FEATURES :
This Code 3 DVD contains a two-minute Music Time “Hot
Dog” Dance-Along, which is a dance which Mickey
and his pals do at the end of every episode. There is also
a Game Time “Mickey’s Picture Puzzle Game”
where kids can have fun unscrambling a mixed up picture. A
24-minute Bonus Episode “Little Einsteins Christmas
Wishes” is also included on the disc. The animated
series broadcast on Playhouse Disney Channel teaches kids
art and music appreciation, and is an ultimate joy to watch.
In this particular episode, learn about Van Gogh’s art
piece and Ludwig van Beethoven’s music.
AUDIO/VISUAL:
The disc’s visual transfer is pristine and crisp, and
there are 2.0 Stereo English, Thai, Mandarin, Korean, Spanish
and Portuguese audio tracks to choose from.
MOVIE RATING:
 
DVD
RATING :
Review
by John Li
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