DVD REVIEW – DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUMES 1-6

I remember when I was little and loved stories like “The Three Little Pigs,” “Wind in the Willows,” “Prince and the Pauper,” and other classic Disney stories. Well, now you can enjoy them in your home on DVD. I was thrilled to receive the Disney Animation Collection, containing six volumes of Disney short films. The titles included “Mickey and the Beanstalk,” “Three Little Pigs,” “The Prince & the Pauper,” “The Tortoise and the Hare,” “Wind in the Willows,” and “The Reluctant Dragon.” These are must-have movies for every family! My children were so excited to watch them. They enjoyed and still enjoy watching them!
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 1: MICKEY AND THE BEANSTALK was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Based on the classic fairytale of “Jack and the Beanstalk,” Mickey, Donald, and Goofy climb a huge beanstalk into the sky to a world where everything is huge! Everything they see is huge, including the food, the castle, and the fearsome giant named Willy who guards a beautiful harp made of gold. Mickey and his friends try and outwit the giant so they can make it safely home. Watch it and see what happens! The DVD also includes the following short films: “Brave Little Tailor,” “Thru the Mirror,” “Gulliver Mickey,” and “Mr. Mouse Takes a Trip.

RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 69 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 2: THREE LITTLE PIGS was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment . This is one of Disney’s classic short films. You know, “Who’s afraid of the big bad wolf?” “Not I” is the reply of the first of two brothers as the pigs build their homes – one made of straw and one made of sticks. The wolf comes and “huffs and puffs and blows their houses down.” The two pigs run to the third brother’s house for protection. His house is made of bricks. Will the pigs be safe in the house of bricks? Watch it and find out. The DVD also has bonus short films, including “The Big Bad Wolf,” “Three Little Wolves,” “Lambert the Sheepish Lion,” “Chicken Little,” “Three Blind Mouseketeers,” and “Elmer Elephant.”

RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 62 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 3: THE PRINCE AND THE PAUPER was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. The story is a Disney twist of the original fairytale classic “The Prince and The Pauper.” In a kingdom far, far away, two boys meet that look just alike. One boy is a pauper named Mickey and the other is a Crown Prince. Mickey dreams of a life of luxury, while the Crown Prince lives the life of luxury but wishes to be as free as his subjects. The boys switch places and in doing so, each one faces extraordinary challenges in his new role and both must find a way to save the kingdom from an evil Captain trying to take the throne for himself. This is a great story you and your kids will love! The DVD also has some Disney short films, including “The Pied Piper,” “Old King Cole,” “Ye Olden Days,” and “A Knight For A Day.”

RELEASE DATE: April 7, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 54 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 4: THE TORTOISE AND THE HARE was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. “The Tortoise and the Hare” is a story about Max Hare and Toby Tortoise, who challenge one another to a foot race. Max is so confident that he will win the race that he takes some time out to flirt with some cute bunnies, show off how athletic he is, and take a nap. He is awakened to the roaring of the crowd who is cheering Toby on through the end of the race. Toby isn’t fast, but has slowly and steadily kept to the course. Max has to make a last-minute dash to win the race. Who will win? Watch it and see! The DVD has some short films, including: “Babes In The Woods,” “The Saga Of Windwagon Smith,” “The Goddess Of Spring,” “Toby Tortoise Returns,” and “Paul Bunyan.”

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 65 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 5: WIND IN THE WILLOWS was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Enjoy watching the adventures along the riverbanks as Mr. J. Thaddeus Toad gets himself into trouble – from buying fancy new cars to dealing with some real weasels! Because of his choices, Toad Manor, his beloved home, is at risk of being lost. However, his friends Ratty, Moley, and Angus McBadger step in to set things right, as long as Mr. Toad promises to change his ways. Truly a great story and fun to watch! The DVD also has bonus shorts, including: “The Ugly Duckling,” “The Grasshopper And The Ants,” “The Golden Touch,” “The Robber Kitten,” and “The Wise Little Hen.”

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 78 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English
DISNEY ANIMATION COLLECTION VOLUME 6: THE RELUCTANT DRAGON was created by Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. This cute story is about the adventures of a young boy, emboldened by tales of brave knights, who pursues a horrible dragon that has been terrifying the villagers. Instead of a horrible dragon, the young boy find a friendly dragon who is more interested in reciting poetry and making music than devouring damsels and village people. What is the fate of the little boy and the dragon? The DVD has bonus shorts, including “Goliath II,” “Ferdinand The Bull,” and “Johnny Appleseed.”

RELEASE DATE: May 12, 2009
Suggested retail price: $19.99 US; $24.99 Canadian
Rated: Not Rated (US); ‘G’ (Canada)
Run time: 62 minutes
DVD aspect ratio: 1.33:1
Language: English