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Tinker Bell
R1 - America - Buena Vista Home Entertainment Review written by and copyright: Rob Fields (27th November 2008). |
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The Film
 I’ll have to admit that I wasn’t too optimistic about this film upon receiving it. While I’ve never seen the movie “Peter Pan” (1953), I do remember the animation from the previews. But now we have a movie based on the beloved fairy and one of the symbols of Walt Disney Pictures, "Tinker Bell." It didn’t take much for me to look at the cover and see that this movie would be done in 3-D computer animation. Also, Tinker Bell would actually speak for the very first time. I still remember how giving a voice to non-speaking characters like Tom & Jerry in “Tom & Jerry: The Movie” (1992) really worked out. To sum this up: people hated that idea, myself included. Still, I had given the film a chance. Granted, I didn’t like it. But there was the chance that I might have. So now I have another opportunity to see a similar type of film with changes that by all rights should be taboo. I’ll keep an open mind as I go into this film and give you my 2-cents worth. “Tinker Bell” takes you on a journey into the secret world of Pixie Hollow and hear Tinker Bell speak for the very first time as the astonishing story of Disney’s most famous fairy is finally revealed in the all-new motion picture “Tinker Bell”. Have you ever wondered how nature gets its glow? – who gives it light and color as the seasons come and go? Enter a land of adventure and mystery as Tinker Bell and her four best fairy friends turn winter into spring and, with the power of faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust, learn the importance of being true to yourself. Overflowing with fun and imagination, “Tinker Bell” is a celebration of the beloved fairy and her first motion picture (direct-to-video). Experience this amazing tale bound to delight the entire family. I suppose the tale had to be told at some point, but the movie is Tinker Bell’s origin. Which means this film takes place before “Peter Pan”. I liked the concept that Tinker Bell (Mae Whitman) started out as a tinker fairy, which means that Tinker Bell couldn’t do many of the things she could do now. The only thing she was meant to do was just build things. But she had ambitions to be something much more. I guess it gives everybody young and old alike the lesson that if one aspires to become something more, then work at it and DON’T GIVE UP!! No matter what. In all, I enjoyed the story and how Tinker Bell got over the conflicts and struggles she was faced with in order to achieve her goal of getting to the Mainland. The downsides? I still don’t like that this motion picture is animated in 3-D, or that Tinker Bell has a voice. I feel they could have still told the story without voices. Hey, they did it for “Fantasia” (1940), didn’t they? I happen to be somebody who believes in consistency. To give further adage: if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. But don’t worry, these factors will definitely not be reflected in the final grade. I’ll be fair on these subjects. My final word: In spite of the shortcomings that I’ve brought up in the above paragraph, I’m still going to give my approval to this title. I’m sure that it will be a wonderful tale for the whole family. Own it.
Video
The film is presented in anamorphic widescreen format (1.78:1 ratio). The animation is excellent. Even with the upconversion to HD on my DVD player, the picture looks incredible. Formatted for HD (then converted to SD for DVD release). Would you expect any less from Disney? The colors are so bright and vivid that they help make the movie that much more enjoyable for children. If you’re looking for blemishes or defects, you will definitely not find any on this title. This is also the same case for the Bonus Materials. This DVD features the Fast Play option. You can view the film and many of the Bonus Features in one continuous setting, if you desire.
Audio
The film features three Dolby Digital 5.1 surround soundtrack, which are available in your choice of English, French or Spanish. There are optional English HOH, French and Spanish subtitles available (for the film only). Obviously, the original English audio will be used for the review. The soundtrack gives much of the voices and the music towards the front. If you listen very carefully, you will hear some background noises and music in the rear speakers.
Extras
Buena Vista has released this film with two featurettes, a music video, a series of deleted scenes, an interactive feature, bonus trailers and DVD-ROM content. Below is a closer look at these supplements. “Ever Wonder” featurette runs exactly 4 minutes. Here you will see children on their way to school (live action). Then you will see Tinker Bell flying around (animation). You will see what happens when her pixie dust lands on things. The only spoke dialogue to be heard here are the kids laughing and the melodies in the background, and when the little girl calls for her daddy at the end. This feature has optional English, French, and Spanish audio with optional English subtitles. “Fly To Your Heart” music video by Selena Gomez runs for 3 minutes 15 seconds. The song itself is available on the CD soundtrack. It combines live action and animation. It is also not 16 x 9 enhanced. There is a hidden Easter Egg, which you will need to find in order to access the “Creating Pixie Hollow” featurette and the deleted scenes listed on the back cover. Here’s how to find it. From the Main Menu, go into the Bonus Features. Move to the music video option and press right to reveal the words ‘To The Mainland’. Press Enter to be taken to the hidden menu. The extras in this sub-menu are: - “Return to Pixie Hollow” featurette runs 10 minutes and 10 seconds. Here you will hear from members of the creative team that helped bring this movie to life. You will see interviews, sketches, computer renderings, scenes from the movie... You will even learn that “Tinker Bell” and “Peter Pan”, the inspiration for this movie are linked in terms of the Neverland concept. It is in English audio with optional English, French and Spanish subtitles. - 6 deleted scenes are next, spanning two pages. You have the option of just viewing the scenes by themselves or viewing them with an optional introduction by director Bradley Raymond and producer Jeannine Roussel. You also have to option to play them all together. They are in English audio with optional English, French and Spanish subtitles. Here are the scenes: - "Queen Clarion’s Pixie Dust" runs for 1 minute 44 seconds – A finished scene. Queen Clarion exercises control over the pixie dust in order to give enchantment to Tinker Bell and the other fairies. - "Fairies Venture to the Mainland" runs for 1 minute 40 seconds – A finished scene. Tinker Bell and the other fairies cross the second star and into the Mainland. There, they take a tour of our world before starting their work. - "Becoming a Garden Fairy" runs 1 minute 51 seconds – This scene is shown only in conceptual sketch animation only. But here, you will see the garden fairies trying to teach Tinker Bell their magical arts. - "Tinker Bell’s Tinkering Talents" runs for 1 minute 26 seconds – Another scene shown in conceptual drawing animation. Vidia overhears the garden fairies talking good things about her. They see Tinker’s hidden talent, even if she herself doesn’t. - "Vidia Tricks Tinker Bell" runs for 1 minute 59 seconds – Conceptual animation again. This is an alternate scene where Vidia tricks Tinker Bell. Same concept, different scene. - "Fairies Express Tinker Bell’s Importance" runs for 1 minute 43 seconds – One final conceptual animation sequence. This time the garden fairies come to Tinker Bell’s place and inspire Tinker Bell to use her talent to help save Spring. Tinker is not an easy sell, however. They also tell her one important thing. There are bonus trailers for: - "Disney Movie Rewards" spot runs for 21 seconds. - "Pinocchio: 70th Anniversary Platinum Edition DVD" runs for 1 minute 27 seconds. - "Bolt" runs for 2 minutes 33 seconds. - "Space Buddies" runs for 1 minute 29 seconds. - "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure" runs for 1 minute 1 second. - "Wall-E" runs for 2 minutes 34 seconds. - "The Little Mermaid 2: Return to the Sea" runs for 1 minute 16 seconds. - "The Secret of the Magic Gourd" runs for 2 minutes 13 seconds. - "Disney Fairies: Pixie Follow" runs for 33 seconds. - "Wizards of Waverly Place" runs for 33 seconds. - "Disney DVD Games" spot runs for 38 seconds. - "Disney Parks" spot runs for 33 seconds. There's DVD-ROM content: - "Tinker trailer" to access this, you must have a computer (PC or MAC) with a DVD-ROM drive. By selecting this option, you will be given instructions on how to access the feature for both platforms.
Packaging
It’s only a DVD packed in an Amaray case, with an outer cardboard cover. There are no inserts.
Overall
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