DVD review: ‘Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection’ is a perfect pick for your next family movie night
"Walt Disney Animated Studios Short Films Collection." (Handout/TNS)
A scene from "Walt Disney Animated Studios Short Films Collection." (Handout/TNS)
Parents need to know that "Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection" is an impressive, wide-ranging collection of 12 short films including Frozen Fever, the follow-up to Frozen, and Tangled Ever After, the follow-up to Tangled. (Common Sense Media/TNS)
Parents need to know that “Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection” is an impressive, wide-ranging collection of 12 short films including “Frozen Fever,” the follow-up to “Frozen,” and “Tangled Ever After,” the follow-up to “Tangled.” The breadth and range of craft and offerings make for a movie-length package with a lot of variety. There are a few instances of suffering when a little girl freezes outside, as well as the usual cartoonish slapstick of pratfalls, head injuries, and pointy objects meeting falling butts. But the contrasting styles and techniques and masterful storytelling combine to make this compilation a great choice for family movie night, with lots of laughs.
WHAT’S THE STORY?
Among the 12 shorts here include a retelling of the story of “John Henry,” the hardworking steel-driver; a whimsical cat, Lorenzo; the story of a resourceful clock who finds his chance at heroism; a brave little girl in “The Little Matchgirl,” a loyal and delightful puppy in “Feast;” a silly sendup of early animation in “Get a Horse;” “Tangled Ever After,” in which Rapunzel gets married; and “Frozen Feast,” where Elsa does her best to plan a birthday party for Anna, even though she has a nasty cold.
IS IT ANY GOOD?
“Walt Disney Animation Studios Short Films Collection” offers a broad range of shorts that will satisfy most families. Viewers get something retro with “Get a Horse,” something moving with “The Little Matchgirl,” something romantic with “Paperman,” and something heartwarming with “Feast,” as well as some exciting updates for fans of the wildly popular “Frozen” and “Tangled” with “Frozen Fever” and “Tangled Ever After.”
The varying styles of animation are a marvel to see all together, and the impressive storytelling, often without any lines of dialog, convey just how much emotion and meaning can be communicated in 7 to 10 minutes. These cartoons are full of slapstick thwacks up the head, and there are a few instances of suffering, but overall, these are fun, inventive shorts that offer positive messages, masterful craft, and loads of entertainment value.
RATING AND CONTENT
Recommended for ages 5 and older
Quality: 5 out of 5
Educational value: 0 out of 5
Positive messages: 3 out of 5
Positive role models: 3 out of 5
Violence and scariness: 1 out of 5
Sexy stuff: 0 out of 5
Language: 0 out of 5
Drinking, drugs, and smoking: 1 out of 5
Consumerism: 3 out of 5 (Are products/advertisements embedded? Is the title part of a broader marketing initiative/empire? Is the intent to sell things to kids?)
MOVIE DETAILS
DVD release date: August 18, 2015
Directors: Chris Buck, Jennifer Lee
Studio: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment
Genre: Family and kids
Movie run time: 77 minutes
MPAA rating: NR
