Monsuno: Power (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

May 7, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“Monsuno” is a fun and entertaining animated series that has similarities to shows such as “Pokemon” or “Digimon” but a unique story that ties in with their toy merchandise line very well. An animated series that parents (who are young at heart) will enjoy watching with their children, “Monsuno: Power” is recommended!

DVD TITLE: Monsuno: Power

DURATION: Episodes 6-10 (110 Minutes)

DVD INFORMATION: Color, NTSC, English Dolby Digital 2.0

COMPANY: Jakks Pacific, dentsu, Fremantle Media Enterprises, Topps, Shout Factory

RATED: TV Y7 FV

Release Date: May 21, 2013

Director: Yoshiaki Okumura

Produced By: Jared Wolfson, Yukio Kusumoto

Producer: Chapman Maddox

Associate Producer: Joh Hudson, Yuichi Kinishita

Story Editor: Michael Ryan

Character Design: Yuichiro Hayashi

Creature Design: Designmate

Animation Creature Design: Hiroto Kato

Creature Design Director: Takaaki Hirayama, Masahiko Okura, Hiroto Kato

Art Director: Tomoko Iwasa

Mecha / Prop Design: Yasuhiro Moriki

Background Director: Shigemi Ikeda

Background Art: Shigemi Ikeda

Music by Michael Taera

Cinematography by Naoki Serizawa

Edited by Masaki Sakamoto

Casting by Rene Veilleux

Featuring the following voice talent:

Cam Clark as Chase

Christopher Smith as Bren

Karen Strassman as Jinja

Keith Silverstein as Dax

Kirk Thornton as Beyal

The Monsuno series is a high-octane epic action-adventure series where kids discover, command and battle creatures with tremendous destructive potential. When a race to harness the power of Monsuno ensues between a group of teenagers and evil forces focused on destroying the Earth, the adolescents spring into action to defend our planet! Built around powerful, action-driven animation, dynamic characters and a deeply woven original story mythology

The adventures continue in the second “Monsuno” DVD as Chase Suno, Jinja, Bren and Beyal search for Chase’s father, meanwhile Commandant Marshall Charlemagne continues to pursue them. But the group meet a cocky individual named Dax, but is he friend or foe?

Find out in the episodes 5-10 of of “Monsuno”!

What is Monsuno?

In Japan is known for having popular series that revolved around its product merchandise! From “Pokemon”, “Digimon”, “B-Daman”, “Bakugan” and many others.

But in America, replicating that success would have to feature toys that are fun to play and characters that children can identify with and also lead them to buying the merchandise in stores.

One of popular toys that have made it onto store shelves with a lot of buzz is “Monsuno” and for its animated series, we are seeing the collaboration between American and Japanese companies with the involvement of Dentsu, Jakks Pacific, FremantleMedia Enterprises and Topps.

“Monsuno” (also known as “Jusen Batoru Monsuno” or “Beast Rotation Battle Monsuno” in Japan) is directed by Yoshiaki Okumura (“Eyeshield 21″, “Dragon Drive”, “Eien no Aseria”), featuring character designs by Yuichiro Hayashi (“Soten Koro”, “PES: Peace Eco Smile”) and art direction by Shigemi Ikeda (“Bokurano”, “Basilisk”, “Gantz”, “Afro Samurai”, “Mobile Suit Gundam Seed”, “InuYasha”).

Premiering on Nicktoons in the U.S. with a total of 26-episodes shown, “Monsuno” will receive its first DVD release (titled “Monsuno: Destiny”) courtesy of Shout Factory featuring the first five episodes.

“Monsuno” revolves around three teenagers: Chase Suno, Jinja and Bren. As all three are adventure-seeking individuals, both Jinja and Bren help Chase look for his father Jeredy Suno who has gone missing in the Himalayas.

When they arrive to S.T.O.R.M. lab, the place looks like it has received major damage but inside is Jon Ace, a man that Chase is familiar with. Jon tells Chase that his father left him something inside a sealed door but the only way to get access is through his handprint. When Jon puts his hand on the panel the door opens to reveal a a Monsuno Glowblade with a computer featuring a special message for his son. But once Chase grabs the GlowBlade, Charlemagne, the commander of S.T.O.R.M. has his soldiers hold Chase and friends by gunpoint and for them to give up the GlowBlade since it belongs to S.T.O.R.M.

But Chase refuses and when things go for the worse, Chase thinks about the message that his father left and so Chase throws the Monsuno GlowBlade to the ground and upon contact, a big Monsuno monster comes out. Nearly invincible Chase and friends run away. As the big white monster pretty much chases all soldiers of S.T.O.R.M. out of the building, including Chase and friends, thinking that Chase and friends have lost the big white monster, the monster finds them immediately.

But to their surprise, the big white monster, which Chase gives the name “Lock” is friendly to them. The computer message left by Chase’s father explains that he discovered Monsuno DNA that has been around since before mankind. And by using the DNA of other animals, he was able to create the Monsuno. In Lock’s case, he is a hybrid of a polar bear, gorilla and tiger But with this technology, he wants to keep it out of the hands of S.T.O.R.M. Also, learning that the GlowBlade is where the Monsuno lives and where it heals.

But just as Chase and friends think they have escaped from S.T.O.R.M., the evil company manages to find them and each time, a battle between S.T.O.R.M’s Monsuno vs. Chase’s Lock are engaged in battle.

Eventually in the next two episodes, we see how Bren and Jinja end up getting their own Monsuno, plus the trio learn how important it is to trust the right people because not only is S.T.O.R.M. after Locke, as well as the Monsuno, but other evil antagonists are after it as well.

Can Chase and friends find his father in time? And will he and his friends be able to master the Monsuno in battle?

In “Monsuno: Power”, as the group have traveled to Mandala and met a young controller named Beyal, S.T.O.R.M. tries to set-up a blockade to prevent Team Core-Tech to leave Mandala. Meanwhile, Beyal reveals through meditation that there will be a fifth member to join them. While Chase is determined in finding his brother, Jinja starts to have a crush on Beyal and Bren starts to be disappointed that others are joining the group.

The episodes featured in “Monsuno: Power” are the following (spoilerless summaries):

EPISODE 6 – Breakthrough – As the group try to leave Mandala, S.T.O.R.M. tries to prevent the group from leaving.
EPISODE 7 – R.S.V.P. – As the group head to the Lowlands, the group run into a cocky controller named Dax and Chase goes against him.
EPISODE 8 – Appleseeds – The group continue on to the Lowlands to follow Dax, but can they trust him?
EPISODE 9 – Eye – Dax joins the team, but no one trusts him.
EPISODE 10 – Deceit – Dax joins the group and Chase wonders if the fifth member should be Dax.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Monsuno” is an interesting animated series because right off the bat, it looks like an anime series but the character designs seem a bit different from most anime television series and that is probably because the studio was focusing on making the series look and feel like an anime but with a western animated feel. Character and monster designs are well animated and the art backgrounds look well-detailed and look very good on DVD.

Audio is presented in Dolby Digital 2.0 and is front channel driven and English dialogue is clear and well-acted.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Monsuno: Power” comes with short video profiles for Dr. Klipse and Jinja.

The group continues to grow with the addition of Beyal and Dax in the latest episodes of “Monsuno”!

“Monsuno” is an entertaining animated series featuring a joint-collaboration between American and Japanese companies and literally a series that helps promote the toyline courtesy of Jakks Pacific.

While the series has the feel of “Pokemon”, what makes the series so different is that the main protagonists are older teenagers and they tend to get themselves into trouble often. The series is action-packed but also tied to their toyline, so the teenagers are often seen throwing their “Monsuno” capsules to release them.

While I’m not sure how the toys are, since the debut of the first DVD, I’ve been seeing a lot of “Monsuno” toys on the shelves, so I’m guessing the series has a dedicated audience.

“Monsuno” is also diverse as it features a Japanese (or Japanese American) protagonist with Chase Suno, Jinja is an independent, intelligent and kick-butt female protagonist and while Bren does a lot of whining, he makes up for it with his excellent computer skills. “Monsuno: Power” adds Beyal and Dax, two individuals who are also of a different race and adds to the diverse cast of the animated series so far.

My 10-year-old son is a big Pokemon fan but immediately after watching these five episodes, he was really getting into the series and wanted to check out the “Monsuno” toys immediately after watching. The whole concept of tossing your GlowBlade toy with a Monsuno coming out is quite interesting and I have no doubt that this series will appeal to children who will most likely ask their parents to purchase them the toys.

So far, the first five episodes of the series have been enjoyable but for parents who are wondering if the series is safe for their children, I would recommend it for older children.

The monsters may seem scar to younger children and the fact that Chase and friends are constantly being chased down by soldiers with weapons and they do get injured at times, while not super violent, parents may want to watch the series with their child to see if its right for them. But no doubt, I know that with these episodes alone, more than likely like my child, your children will be wanting the toys.

As for the DVD, while I prefer watching the series as a full complete season versus a five episode DVD release, I can only hope that Shout Factory does plan to release the whole series as a full set, otherwise, one will probably have to purchase several volumes just to complete a season.

Overall, “Monsuno” is a fun and entertaining animated series that has similarities to shows such as “Pokemon” or “Digimon” but a unique story that ties in with their toy merchandise line very well. An animated series that parents (who are young at heart) will enjoy watching with their children, me and my son really enjoyed “Monsuno” and look forward to the next DVD release.

“Monsuno: Power” is recommended!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

April 9, 2013 by J!-ENT · Leave a Comment

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a cool, stylish, well-written and exciting action-packed animated series worth watching! And if you are a parent or the young at heart who loves the card series or just wanting an exciting animated series, I definitely recommend “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” on DVD!

DVD TITLE: Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike

TV AIRDATE: 2012

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, English subtitles

COMPANY: Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory

RATED: TV Y7 FV

Release Date: April 30, 2013

Written by Andrew Robinson, Henry Gilroy, Brandon Auman, Mark Hoffmeier, Marty Isenberg, Joseph Kuhr

Producer: Haven Alexander

Executive Producer: Stephen Davis

Supervising Producer: Gary Hartle

Music by Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis

Edited by Michael William Miles, Matt Barrios

Art Direction by David Colman

Featuring the following voice talent:

Phil LaMarr as Gabe Wallace

Kari Wahlgren as Allie Underhill

Scott Wolf as Ray Pierce-Okamoto

David Sobolov as Bob

Dee Bradley Baker as Gargle

Oded Fehr as The Choten

Andrew Kishino as Grandpa

Freddy Rodriguez as Chavez

Grey DeLisle as Alakshmi

John Di Maggio as Nigel

Jason Marsden as Fingers

Rachel Robinson as Megaria

Recruited by the mysterious Duel Masters, young Ray, joined by his best friends Gabe and Allie, must use the powerful art of Kaijudo to defend his home dimension from the sinister mastermind known as the Choten, whose own skills in The Way Of The Creature allow him to summon vicious beasts from a parallel dimension to wreak havoc across Earth.

What happens when Allison is transported to the land of the creatures and where the Lord Skycrusher reigns. Will Ray and Gabe be able to find her?

Find out in the second volume of “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” available in April 2013 from Shout! Factory.

What is “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”?

In 2012, Hasbro’s subsidiary Wizards of the West Coast released the Kaijudo collectible card game.

With the popularity of the “Duel Masters” franchise, Hasbro Studios with South Korean animation company Moi Animation, created “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” developed by Henry Gilroy and Andrew Robinson of Wizards of the West Coast.

The series premiered on The Hub in June 2012 and with close to two dozen episodes aired on television since, the first five episodes of the animated series will be released on DVD titled “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Creatures Unleashed”.

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a series that revolves around three friends: Ray Pierce-Okamoto is half-Japanese and lives with his mother and his elderly Japanese grandfather. Ray hangs out with his good friends Allison Underhill (who looks tough but has a soft heart for cute things) and his tech-loving friend Gabriel Wallace.

He and his friends are often bullied in school, mostly Ray and is teased about being half Japanese and half Caucasian. And despite being bullied, his grandfather tries to give him advice to bob and weave if he is ever attacked by the bullies.

Meanwhile, in town, monsters have been coming into the human world through a rift. And Duel Master Hector Chavez of the Fire Civilization is seen trying to send the monsters back and closing the rift. It appears that The Choten, a former Duel Master and now evil genius has went rogue to pursue his own goals of enslaving the creatures, so he can take over Earth.

One day, one of Ray’s drawings of a creature comes out of the rift and in the process, the Duel Masters wonder how is it that this young boy is able to draw these creatures out to the real world.

When taken to the Kaijudo Temple, the Duel Masters sense something special within Ray and want him to become a Duel Master, but Ray will not join unless his two friends become Duel Masters as well. And so, the three must prove themselves deserving of this new power and to train and learn the basics of creature dueling.

But while these three train, the antagonist known as the Choten has his own plans by creating chaos through bringing the creatures to the real world. Can Ray and friends stop him and the creatures for hurting anyone?

In “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike”, the DVD contains the following episodes (spoilerless summary):

EPISODE 6 – Into the Fire, Part 1 - Allison is transported to the land of the creatures and is held captive by Lord Skycrusher.
EPISODE 7 – Into the Fire, Part 2 – Lord Skycrusher makes Tatsurion fight against Ray and Allison.
EPISODE 23 – Heavenly Creatures – The Duel Masters and Acolytes look for Choten’s spell.
EPISODE 25 – The Rising, Part 1 – Choten has taken all five artifacts and intends to collapse the Veil and awaken the 5 Creature Kings.
EPISODE 26 – The Rising, Part 2 – The Duel Masters must take on the 5 Creature Kings.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Kaijudo: Rose of the Duel Masters” is an animated series that has an anime style, but thanks to its Korean roots of animation, definitely its own unique style when it comes to character design. Character designs are well-done and also the art backgrounds which compliment the action which happen in various locations throughout the series. Animation is vibrant on DVD and as for dialogue, the dialogue is crystal clear via Dolby Digital.

While it would be nice to hear a more immersive 5.1 Dolby Digital soundtrack, I was quite pleased with the voice acting. You have solid talent involved with this series such as Scott Wolf, Kari Wahlgren, Oded Fehr, David Sobolov and others that bring a cool, exciting overall feel to the animated series.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” comes with no special features.

EXTRAS:

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” comes with a “Herald of Infernus Card” featuring exclusive art.

The adventures of the Duel Masters continues in “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike”!

Exciting, action-packed and a great compliment to the popular “Duel Masters” card game, “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is awesome!

And with the latest “Dragonstrike” volume you get five episodes. Each of the episodes are exciting and action-packed but where the last volume featured the first five episodes, “Dragonstrike” features episodes 6-7, 23, 25-26. So, I’m wondering why they didn’t continue the order of 6-10 and went directly to the final episodes of the first season.

Sure, “Kaijudo” may receive comparisons to “Pokemon” or “Digimon” through its young characters being able to access creatures with special abilities during battle but the series definitely has a style that will attract younger viewers as well as older viewers.

For one, the monsters are not necessarily cute and cuddly and created for the sake of stuffed animal merchandise to appeal to young children. These creatures are created for the sake of battle and for the card battles, when people compete, they want to use a creature that is powerful.

And so, the series has creatures that can be deadly or menacing. And unlike “Pokemon” where the creatures are often going against each other, the antagonists are evil people, so bad that Ray and friends are often targeted and their lives can be at stake. Granted, I doubt the writers would put these young characters into any harm but you will see a character like Alkashmi with an evil puppet like creature with razor sharp claws and throwing these bladed claws towards Ray and friends. You have one scene where a demon burping creature is trying to destroy a bridge where the train goes through and with help, Ray and friends must try to find a way to defeat the monster and prevent a major, tragic disaster.

So, these creatures can cause harm to humans and also, these human characters fight back. Unlike a series such as “Pokemon” where the trainer tells the monster what to do, the human owners/trainers must also take part in battle and even become part of the action against the antagonists.

And what I also enjoyed about the series is how it takes normal people and put them in situations where they must grow up and learn about each other. One of the things that surprised me is how the bullies picked on Ray especially for being half-Caucasian and half-Japanese. As an Asian American, the topic of being “hapa” (half) is always something that I have known friends struggling with, when it comes to identity to also being teased by others. And the fact that Ray is a person who was bullied by it but yet respects both sides of his heritage is a positive character role. And the series also features his friends such as Allie, who sticks up for her friends and Gabe who is African-American yet is smart with technology. So, it’s great to see this diversity in an animated series.

I watched the series with my ten-year-old and he absolutely loved the series and I also enjoyed it as well. It’s full of humor, action and the five episodes included on the DVD are quite exciting. And as marketing for the collectible cards, even my son was intrigued as he is a Pokemon collectible card collector and now is interested in “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”. And with this volume, a “Kaijudo” card is included (although, there are no special features).

I can only hope that the complete series will be released on Blu-ray and DVD because it’s a very well-written, cool animated series!

Overall, “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is a cool, stylish, well-written and exciting action-packed animated series worth watching! And if you are a parent or the young at heart who loves the card series or just wanting an exciting animated series, I definitely recommend “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Dragonstrike” on DVD!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

A Monster in Paris (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

April 1, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“A Monster in Paris” is another enjoyable animated film for the family by Bibo Bergeron (“Shark Tale”). A film that showcases beautiful environments but also wonderful music. Recommended!

TITLE: A Monster in Paris (Un monstre à Paris)

YEAR: 2011

DURATION: 87 Minutes

BLU-RAY INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition (1:78:1 aspect ratio), English DTS-HD MA 5.1, Subtitles: English

COMPANY: Shout! Factory

RATED: PG (Some Action Violence Involving Gun Play and Mild rude humor)

Release Date: April 16, 2013

Directed by Bibo Bergeron

Written by Bibo Bergeron

Screenplay by Stephane Kazandjian

Producer: Luc Besson

Executive Producer: Nadia Khamlichi, Adrian Plitowski, Gilles Waterkeyn

Line Producer: Olivier Bizet, Andre Clavel

Associate Producer: Remi Burah

Music by Mathieu Chedid

Edited by Pascal Cheve, Nicolas Stretta

Production Design by Francois Moret

Featuring the Voices of:

Mathieu Chedid as Francoeur

Vanessa Paradis as Lucille

Gad Elmaleh as Raoul

Francois Cluzet as Le prefet Maynott

Ludivine Sagnier as Maud

Julie Ferrier as Madame Carlotta

Bruno Salomone as Albert

Sebastien Desjours as Emile

Paris, 1910. Panic sweeps the city as floodwaters rise and a monster is on the loose!

Meanwhile a wacky inventor, his camera-crazy best friend, and a madcap monkey are on a mission to protect the beast, Franc, as he holds a rare and special talent. With the help of the beautiful but feisty singer Lucille, the team harbors the monster to keep him from the ghastly wannabe Mayor, Commissioner Maynott, who has a plan to capture Franc and reveal him to be nothing more than a monstrous danger to the people of Paris.

From Bibo Bergeron, the director of Shark Tale, and starring Adam Goldberg, Jay Harrington, Bob Balaban, Sean Lennon, Vanessa Paradis, Danny Huston and Catherine O’Hara, A Monster In Paris is presented in stunning 3D for a spectacularly fun experience for the whole family.

In European animation, Bibo Bergeron is well-known for his directorial work in “Shark Tale”, his work for films such as “Bee Movie”, “Sinbad: Legend of the Seven Seas”, “Flushed Away” and the TV series “Caillou”, “Babar” and “Woofy”.

In 2011, Bergeron and writer Stephane Kazandjian (“Modern Love”, “Scalp”, “Apres”) began working on the French CGI and 3D animated feature “Un monstre a Paris” (“A Monster in Paris”) which received critical acclaim for its music and performances by its lead talent.

The film would star Mathieu Chedid (“Tell No One”, “Arsene Lupin”), singer and actress Vanessa Paradis (“Girl on the Bridge”, “Cafe de Flore”, “Heartbreaker”), Gad Elmaleh (“The Adventures of Tintin”, “Midnight in Paris”, “The Valet”), Francois Cluzet (“The Intouchables”, “Tell No One”, “Little White Lies”), Ludivine Sagnier (“Swimming Pool”, “The Devil’s Double”, “Mesrine: Public Enemy #1″) and Julie Ferrier (“Heartbreaker”, “Micmacs”, “Mr. Bean’s Holiday”).

And now the film will be released in the U.S. as a Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy combo-pack in April 2013 courtesy of Shout! Factory.

“A Monser in Paris” is set in Paris 2010 and begins with a shy projectionist named Emile who loves film but also likes his co-worker Maud, but is unable to tell her how he feels. Emile hangs out with inventor and delivery driver Raoul, who go to pickup a new belt for a projector.

Meanwhile, we are introduced to Lucille (portrayed by Vanessa Paradis), a childhood friend of Raoul, who is a cabaret singer at the club L’Oiseau Rare. A successful singer at the club, her aunt Carlotta wants her to be with the wealthy police commissioner Maynott.

As Raoul and Emile make a delivery run to the Botanical Gardens, the Professor is not in but his assistant, a monkey named Charles is seen guarding the location. As the two browse through the laboratory, they begin messing around with the experiments include the “Atomize-a-Tune” and it gives Charles the voice of an opera singer for a temporary time. Another “Super Fertilizer” is used to grow a sunflower seed into a giant sunflower, but it grows so fast that it begins to knock both Raoul and Emilie down.

With things getting out of hand, the “Atomitize-a -Tune” and “Super Fertilizer” gets mixed together and an explosion takes place. While both men and Charles escape, Emile who was filming with his new camera, feels he recorded a creature. Sure enough, the creature begins to be featured in the local newspapers.

Seeing how people fear the creature, the police commissioner tries to use this fear to his advantage in increasing his chances of being elected for the upcoming mayoral elections.

With Lucille needing a new musician for her show, she comes into contact with the monstrous creature outside the alleyway and faints. When she awakes, she sees the creature but hears him singing a song and has a beautiful voice. Immediately, Lucille befriends the creature and learns he is not dangerous. She gives him the name of “Francoeur” and it is revealed that the creature was originally a flea that got caught in the laboratory explosion which Raoul and Emile caused. But Lucille is determined in trying to Francoeur’s voice heard and tries to find a way to disguise him and have him take part in her next performance.

Meanwhile, both Raoul and Emile are caught by authorities for the laboratory explosion, but instead of going to prison, because these two are responsible for creating the creature, police commissioner Maynott tries to find a way to use the two in order to capture the creature.

VIDEO:

“A Monster in Paris” is presented in 1080p High Definition (1:85:1 aspect ratio). First let’s take a look at the 3D version of “A Monster in Paris”. The film is pretty much one of those depth-based 3D animated films that proves to be much more effective towards the latter half via the action scenes of the film. It’s not the best use of 3D for an animated film, but I suppose this goes to show a difference between a heavily invested Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks Animation 3D film would benefit from a larger budget. For the most part, the 3D is OK.

As for the picture quality of the Blu-ray release, the film has a European style that is evident in British animated films, but for “A Monster in Paris”, its strength is within its environments but also I like the French character design for its character models. People should not expect the same type of animation as one would see on the more expensive, big budget animated films but by no means will I downgrade a film because of it. I feel that “A Monster in Paris” is a beautiful looking film that shows that other countries can create beautiful animated films without the huge bankroll. But also the film is in the capable hands of Bibo Bergeron (“Shark Tale”) which is a plus!

Picture quality does feature a lot of detail, some scenes are vibrant and for the most part, the film looks very good in HD!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

“A Monster in Paris” is presented in English DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1. While dialogue is crystal clear featuring Adam Goldberg, Jay Harrington, Bob Balaban, Danny Huston and Catherine O’Hara. Possibly what stands out in this lossless soundtrack are the music performances by Vanessa Paradis and Sean Lennon.

The music is absolutely beautiful in this film and sounds incredible via lossless. While the movie does utilize surround activity, especially moreso during the latter half of the film, its the environment that comes more to play in surround usage. But for the most part, dialogue and music is crystal clear!

Subtitles are in English.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“A Monster in Paris” comes with trailer.

EXTRAS:

“A Monster in Paris” comes with both the Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD and Digital Copy. Also, a slipcover case is included.

“A Monster in Paris” is an entertaining animated family film that I enjoy for its beautiful and well-detailed Paris environment, enjoyable character design but also for its music.

Of course, “A Monster in Paris” didn’t have the luxury of a having a huge budget of a Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks animated film, and one shouldn’t compare animated film from other countries with these big-budget films but still enjoy the animation and overall film. The film is beautiful and its storyline is full of humor and fun.

For younger children, the sight of a flea-like monster may scare some younger children and as my son had commented, “too many kissing scenes” for kids. But other than that, its PG rating is mostly for a scene involving a gun being shot by the film’s antagonist and mild rude humor.

The film is in essence about three characters. Raoul (voiced by Adam Goldberg) is a delivery man who has his own business but wants to make himself look successful (when he’s really not) and wants to look very good in front of Lucille, an old childhood friend.

Lucille (voiced by Vanessa Paradis) loves singing but the Le Prefet Maynott (voiced by Danny Huston) is more interested in wooing her and wanting to marry her. And her boss, Madame Carlotta (voiced by Catherine O’Hara), encourages it. But she has no interest in the man. But now that she has spotted the talented Francoeur (voiced by Mathieu Chedid), a flea monster, she wants to help him and perform alongside with him, as he makes her performances much more vibrant.

And Emile (voiced by Jay Harrington) is a projectionist who goes around with Raoul for his deliveries but he’s a young man wanting to confess his love to Maud (voiced by Madeline Zima).

As for the Blu-ray release, the film is colorful and vibrant in HD. The Blu-ray 3D is good for its use of depth but not the best in terms of animated films in 3D. The lossless audio is also very good as the action sequences utilizes the surround channels quite well. But the film’s music performance is fantastic and Vanessa Paradis and Sean Lennon do a wonderful job. It’s only lowpoint for this release is you would expect animated films to have a ton of special features, not the case for this Blu-ray release.

One should not expect spectacular Disney/Pixar or Dreamworks Animation or a similar style with a magnificent budget to work with “A Monster in Paris”, but one can expect very good animation and a fun family animated film for the entire family.

Overall, “A Monster in Paris” is a fun family animated film worth recommending!

Filed Under: Blu-ray Reviews

SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang (a J!-ENT Children’s DVD Review)

February 3, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

“SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang” is a pretty solid animated series for children or the young at heart. Cool characters, well-written stories with plenty of action and humor and a lot of awesome potential! Parents looking for a safe animated series on DVD for their children who love action and sci-fi, will definitely enjoy “SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang”. Recommended!

DVD TITLE: SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang

TV SERIES AIR DATE: 2012

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen, Dolby Digital English Stereo

COMPANY: Shout! Factory

RATED: TV Y7 FV

RELEASE DATE: February 12, 2013

Directed by Johnny Darrell

Written by Rob Hoegee, Scott Sonneborn

Executive Producer: Ken Faier, Asaph Fipke, Rob Hoegee, Chuck Johnson

Co-Producer: Nancy Lees

Art Direction by Andy Poon

Featuring the voices of:

Sam Vincent as Eli Shane

Lee Tockar as Pronto

Shannon Chan-Kent as Trixie

Michael Dobson as Maurice

Andrew Francis as Kord

Mark Oliver as Dr. Blakk

Eli Shane is determined to be the greatest Slugslinging hero of them all! Only by collecting, training and dueling with little critters called SLUGS can Eli and his team hope to defeat the forces of evil. Did we mention the part where the slugs transform into powerful magical beasts? That part’s
AWESOME!

Slugterra is an epic sci-fi comedy/adventure set deep underground, where the ammo’s live (literally!) and only the quick survive! In this luminous, high-tech, underground world, every cavern holds a new adventure, a new battle and weird little slugs to be discovered!

In 2012, the new sci-fi action animated series “SlugTerra” made its debut on Disney XD in October 2012.

An American/Canadian co-production created by Asaph Fipke (co-founder of Nerd Corps Entertainment and worked on series such as “Beast Wars”, “Beast Machines”, “ReBoot”, “Heavy Gear” and “Max Steel”), the animation is produced by Fipke’s Animation studio Nerd Corps Entertainment.

With 22 episodes aired on television, the first five episodes will be released on DVD titled “SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang” in February 2012.

“SlugTerra” is a series that begins with Will Shane, the protector of SlugTerra taking on his arch nemesis Dr. Thaddius Blakk. As Dr. Blakk tried to unleash an evil power using a ghoul slug in SlugTerra that would envelop Will Shane, Will uses his blaster to shoot out his slug Burpee to find his young son Eli to find a letter before he is enveloped.

Burpee shows young Eli a letter that his father left to him, just in case something bad has happened to him. Will wrote about how many in the long line of the Shane family had ventured to SlugTerra, to protect the area which is located 100 miles below Earth. But the condition if he chooses to accept, is that he can begin his adventure as a Shane in SlugTerra when he turns 15-years-old but also that he must keep the existence of Earth as he knows it, a secret from those living in SlugTerra.

Fast forward to a teenage Eli, who decides to venture to SlugTerra, knowing that he may not be able to get back home. And upon arriving, he arrives to his fathers hideout where his weapons, gear and mecha beast vehicles are located.

While his father left him a blaster, he must find his own slugs which is a key to surviving in SlugTerra. How each slug has a special ability and gets stronger over time. If the owner bonds with the slug, the better the relationship.

Eli eventually meets several people who try to teach him the way of living in SlugTerra and join him as part of the Shane Team. Pronto the Magnificent is a molenoid tracker, so he says. But he seems to get everyone in trouble but also manages to help him the team once in awhile. Beatrice “Trixie” Sting is filming a documentary on slugs but she is also wonderful in fighting competitions and is great strategist. And there is Kord Zane, a huge cave troll who loves technology, and is a mechanic who loves upgrading blasters and vehicles.

Meanwhile, when Dr. Thaddius Blakk and his group find out a Shane is back in SlugTerra, he is determined of ridding Eli as he did with his father. But Blakk has found away to convert innocent slugs to evil ghouls and trying to recruit people to cause havok in SlugTerra.

Here are the following episodes featured in “SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang”:

EPISODE 1: The World Beneath Our Feet, Part 1 - Eli goes down to SlugTerra and meets Pronto the Magnificent, Trixie and Kord Zane for the first time. And his new friends try to help him prepare for the slug duel tournament.
EPISODE 2: The World Beneath Our Feet, Part 2 – Eli reaches the final of the tournament but before his final, he and the group meet Dr. Thaddius Blakk. And finds out the truth of what Dr. Blakk has done with slugs.
EPISODE 3: The Trade – Eli finds out that in order to upgrade equipment, sellers trade equipment for slugs. But can Eli trade the slugs that he cares about?
EPISODE 4: The Slug Out – Eli must find Redhook, the Blastersmith after his slugs become too powerful for his old blaster and breaks it down. But when they arrive to Redhook’s village, the Shane Gang finds out that the village is being tormented by a group that works for Dr. Blakk.
EPISODE 5: Deadweed – What happens when Eli and the Shane Gang get trapped in a haunted underground location and what does that location have to do with Dr. Blakk?

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“SlugTerra” is presented a series that blends CG animation with hand draw animation. Produed by Nerd Corps Entertainment, the style of “SlugTerra” almost has an anime mashed with Disney style. Colors are vibrant and colorful, character designs for the humanoid characters are well done but also for the slugs which are cute or crazy or mean looking slugs. But the characters are well-shaded and art backgrounds are also nicely done.

Mechanical design is also created quite well from the beast vehicles to the blasters, for the most part, “SlugTerra” is a series that looks good as one can expect on DVD.

The series is presented in Dolby Digital and dialogue and sound effects are clear. And while there are no subtitles, closed captions are included.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang” comes with the following special features:

An Intro to SlugTerra with Asaph Fipke and Rob Hoegee – (12:04) Asaph Fipke and Rob Hoegee discuss the characters and the world of “SlugTerra”.
Slugslinging 101 – (1:01) Kord teaches the basics of slugslinging.
Blasters and You - (1:01) The Shane Gang teaches viewers about the blaster.
How to Catch Slugs – (1:01) Trixie teaches viewers how to catch slugs.

EXTRAS:

“SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang” comes with a slipcover.

I have to admit that when I first hear about “SlugTerra”, the first thing that came to my mind was “not another Pokemon type of anime series”!

Having seen series such as “Monsuno” and “Kaijudo”, I was curious to see how “SlugTerra” would differentiate from these other titles. And sure enough, “SlugTerra” turns out to be a fantastic animated series.

It does have the similarity to Pokemon, in the case of “SlugTerra”, collecting Slugs with special abilities and dueling other competitors with their slugs.

But where “SlugTerra” becomes interesting is its primary antagonist. Dr. Blakks is the person responsible for the death of Eli Shane’s father and he is taking innocent Slugs and converting them to ghoul slugs, making them evil and stronger but doing so against their will. Everyone partnered with Dr. Blakks look evil and hard to beat.

But its the protagonist Eli that makes this series so interesting. He has a lot to learn but his compassion towards slugs and his belief in his team is optimistic. May it be outdueling Dr. Blakks people or saving slugs, Eli Shane and the members of the Shane Gang are quite intriguing. Each are different but yet they are able to come together and become one heck of a team. Pronto is clumsy and unpredictable, Trixie is great at observing and Kord is great in upgrades and mechanics. And somehow this team manages to achieve a good level of success.

Each episode is fresh and quite different and so, it’s not as banal as other series. Also, the look and feel of the characters is much different thanks to the use of CG and its pretty cool character and mechanical design.

While only five episodes are featured on the “Return of the Shane Gang” DVD, I’m really looking forward in watching more episodes. I watched the series along with my nine-year-old and he was really getting into it and also asking me if there was a toyline associated with the series (which I don’t see any toys available at this time). But he really enjoyed the action and also the humor associated with the series. But also the positivity of its main protagonist! And he’s not perfect, just a regular teenage guy wanting to make a difference, respect people and the slugs but following his father’s footsteps.

Overall, “SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang” is a pretty solid animated series for children or the young at heart. Cool characters, well-written stories with plenty of action and humor and a lot of awesome potential! Parents looking for a safe animated series on DVD for their children who love action and sci-fi, will definitely enjoy “SlugTerra: Return of the Shane Gang”. Recommended!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Three (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

January 21, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

If your children are ready for a little horror and suspense, “The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Three” from “Goosebumps” creator R.L. Stine, will surely give them and their parents a little scare!

DVD TITLE: R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume 3

AIR DATE: 2010

DURATION: 132 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen, 1:33:1English Dolby Digital, Closed-Caption

COMPANY: Shout! Factory

RATED: NOT RATED

RELEASE DATE: February 5, 2013

Directed by Neil Fearnley, James Head, Terry Ingram

Written by Dan Angel, Jed Elinoff, Scott Thomas

Based on the books by R.L. Stine

Executive Producer: Harvey Kahn, Dan Angel, Billy Brown, Kim Arnott

Co-Executive Producer: Kim Arnott, Jane Stine

Supervising Producer: Charles Lyall, Dawn Knight

Associate Producer: Oliver De Caigny

Music by John Sereda, Paul Michael Thomas

Cinematography by Michael Balfry

Edited by Lisa Robinson

Casting by Stuart Aikins, Sean Cossey

Production Design by James Hazell

Art Direction by Teresa Weston

Set Decoration by Gail Luining

Costume Design by Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh

R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) continues his reign as the undisputed master of children’s horror with the first stellar season of “The Haunting Hour”. Special guest stars Ariel Winter and Nolan Gould (Modern Family), Madison Pettis (Cory in the House), Robert Capron (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) and Jodelle Ferland (The Twilight Saga: Eclipse) takes you through five frightening stories guranteed to thrill you and your parents like never before.

R.L. Stine is well-known for his scary stories for children. From the popular horror popular horror fiction “Goosebumps” novels published by Scholastic Publishing and a Canadian TV series adaptation on the novels and from 1995-1998, “Goosebumps” would air in the US on FOX Kids, followed by the Cartoon Network in 2007-2009 and most recently through the Hub starting in Sept. 2011.

While R.L. Stine will always be known for his “Goosebumps” work, he also wrote anthology books titled “The Haunting Hour” and “Nightmare Hour” in 1999-2000 and the anthology would inspire a 2007 horror fantasy film “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: Don’t Think About It” and in 2010, some stories from the book and stories written by other writers would eventually lead to a TV series which would be broadcast on “The Hub”.

While the series is on its third season, Shout! Factory will be releasing volume 3 and 4 of the first season on DVD in February 2013.

“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Three” features the following five episodes:

Fear Never Knocks (Episode 11) – Jenny (Ariel Winter) discovers something creepy with her grandfather’s ancient recorder that he uses during his psychiatry meetings.
Best Friend Forever (Episode 12) – Jack (portrayed by Noulan Gould) could never handle a pet (they keep dying) and desperately wants one, so he decides to raise a zombie from the dead and keep it as a pet.
Black Mask (Episode 13) – What happens when Julie (portrayed by Madison Pettis) and Bil (portrayed by Ricardo Hoyos) try to change the past of children who they think had died with the help of a black mast which talks about the past…
My Sister the Witch (Episode 15) – Boy scout Pete (portrayed by Uriah Shelton) is excited to have his sister Alice (portrayed by Jodelle Ferland) back from boarding shcool, but his friend Reggie thinks she is a witch.
Catching Cold (Episode 27) – Marty (portrayed by Robert Capron) has fallen in love with Kreamy Kold ice cream and now has become so obsessed that he wants ice cream from the “Kreamy Kold” ice cream truck that he keeps missing when it goes by his neighborhood. But his local mailman tells him a story that there was once a boy who was so obsessed over the ice cream truck, the boy vanished and never returned.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“The Haunting Hour” series definitely fares much well over its “Goosebumps” counterpart, for the fact that it was filmed in 2010. Picture quality is good as one can expect on DVD and dialogue is clear and understandable.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four” comes with the following special features:

Behind the Scenes: Black Mask – (1:56) Madison Pettis and and Ricardo Hoyos talk about the episode they are in.
Original Promos – Featuring promos for “Fear Never Knocks”, “Best Friends Forever”, “Black Mask” and “Catching Cold”.

Children…are you ready for a little horror and suspense?

My son is practically scared when it comes to the horror genre or anything remotely scary on television. But when he turned seven years old, he was introduced to R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” books and he would continually check them out from the school library and loved it. It was a nice blend of horror, but not to the point where he would freak out.

He’s a bit older now and while he still reads the “Goosebumps” books, R.L. Stine’s “The Haunting Hour” features more modern stories than the ’90s television series and the scary factor is slightly elevated, so it’s targeted towards children who are slightly older. Also, these episodes feature talent that have been seen on other popular television shows, as well.

With volume three of “The Haunting Hour”, these episodes are rather creepy as “Fear Never Knocks” features a psychiatrist who uses a voice recorder given to him by fear and what happens when two children come into contact with fear. Then an episode that I never expected was “Best Friend Forever”, about a boy who desperately wants a pet, so he takes on a zombie as his new pet. You never expect to see something like this, so I was pretty surprised by this episode.

You also have “Black Mask” which was an interesting take on a mysterious black mask that was found and tells the tale of two children that may have perished or is it something else? And then you have episodes like “Catching Cold” about a boy who is obsessed with a certain ice cream that in order to get a lifetime supply of one, he must pay with his soul. And with “My Sister the Witch”, a story that involves witchcraft and also a little freaky!

So, you get five episodes that may or may not scare children. Having reviewed the older “Goosebumps” series, I do feel the “Haunting Hour” is slightly more scarier and for today’s audience’s, probably more relevant in terms of today’s technology and what they probably see on television right now. Also, with these episodes, most of the people featured in each story are older teenagers, as opposed to younger kids.

Other than that, “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Three” is a safe horror series for children. There is no blood, there is no gross situations for this DVD at least. The acting is not always the best but for children, I don’t think they will care. If anything, they know what to expect from the R.L. Stine (or writers taking on episodes in an R.L. Stine kind of way) and if they are wanting a little scare, then “The Haunting Hour” is a series that they will enjoy.

Overall, if you have been wanting to get your children into watching horror/suspense or if they are really enjoying the R.L. Stine books, then definitely give “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four” a chance!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

January 20, 2013 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

If your children are big fans of R.L. Stine’s “Goosebumps” books or if you want to slowly introduce your children to horror/suspense, you can’t go wrong with “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four”, five episodes that will give kids a little scare.

DVD TITLE: R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume 4

AIR DATE: 2010

DURATION: 132 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: Full Screen, 1:33:1English Dolby Digital, Closed-Caption

COMPANY: Shout! Factory

RATED: NOT RATED

RELEASE DATE: February 5, 2013

Directed by Neil Fearnley, James Head, Terry Ingram

Written by Dan Angel, Jed Elinoff, Scott Thomas

Based on the books by R.L. Stine

Executive Producer: Harvey Kahn, Dan Angel, Billy Brown, Kim Arnott

Co-Executive Producer: Kim Arnott, Jane Stine

Supervising Producer: Charles Lyall, Dawn Knight

Associate Producer: Oliver De Caigny

Music by John Sereda, Paul Michael Thomas

Cinematography by Michael Balfry

Edited by Lisa Robinson

Casting by Stuart Aikins, Sean Cossey

Production Design by James Hazell

Art Direction by Teresa Weston

Set Decoration by Gail Luining

Costume Design by Farnaz Khaki-Sadigh

Children’s own horror master R.L. Stine (Goosebumps) returns with six creepy, crawly episodes of the Haunting Hour. Join special guest stars Debby Ryan (The Suite Life on Deck), Jake Cherry (Night at the Museum), Booboo Stewart (The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn), Gabriel Basso (Super 8) and Landon Liboiron (Terra Nova) as they take you through five more bone-chilling tales of the Haunting Hour’s first outrageously fun season!

While the series is on its third season, Shout! Factory will be releasing volume 3 and 4 of the first season on DVD in February 2013.

“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four” features the following five episodes:

Wrong Number (Episode 16) – Debby Ryan (“The Suite Life on Deck”) stars in this “Mean Girls” story of selfish and rude teenager Steffani (portrayed by Debby Ryan) and Taylor (portrayed by Sarah Dugdale) makes everyone feel worthless and bad about themselves. But what happens when these Mean Girls push their apartment neighbor, Mrs. Biazevich so far that she dies and comes back to haunt them.
Afraid of Clowns (Episode 14) – Chris (portrayed by Jake Cherry of “Night at the Museum”) has a fear of clowns but when the local carnival comes to town and his friends feel that Chris should get over his fear of clowns by going the carnival, will it help Chris?
Pool Shark (Episode 18) – Kai (portrayed by Booboo Stewart) has a fear of the water and his fear that a Nanaue creature swims in the pool. But is Kai losing his mind or is there a real Nanaue in the water?
Light’s Out (Episode 19) – Teddy (portrayed by Gabriel Basso) doesn’t believe the ghosthunting shows on television, but his sister Haley and friend Sean do. So, what happens when the three go on a real ghost hunt inside a haunted asylum which is said to be haunted by the evil doctor, Dr. Sturgess.
The Perfect Brother (Episode 20) – Josh (portrayed by Landon Liboiron) and Matt (portrayed by Gregg Sulkin) are brothers and while Matt is seen as the “perfect son”, things start to happen with Matt and his extreme parents appear to be trying to get rid of Matt.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four” comes with the following special features:

Behind the Scenes: Wrong Number – (2:17) Debby Ryan talks about bullying.
Original Promos – Featuring promos for “Afraid of Clowns” and “Lights Out”

For many children, “Goosebumps” was their first introduction to horror and suspense.

“Wrong Number” is probably the worst you can see of a teenager in terms of how they treat others, especially those older than you. The character of Steffani is a good example of teenagers who bully and like to make people’s life miserable. Spoiled and rude, it was good to see a karma-based episode. For “Afraid of Clowns”, for those who are scared of clowns period, will probably be scared by this episode.

“Pool Shark” is a more fantasy-based episode while “Light’s Out” is an interesting spin on the ghost hunting shows that are on television. What happens when a non-believer goes searching for ghosts to prove they don’t exist inside a haunted mansion? And “The Perfect Brother” is rather interesting because of it’s sci-fi twist.

Other than that, “R.L. Stine’s The Haunting Hour: The Series – Volume Four” is a safe horror series for children. There is no blood, there is no gross situations for this DVD at least. The acting is not always the best but for children, I don’t think they will care. If anything, they know what to expect from the R.L. Stine (or writers taking on episodes in an R.L. Stine kind of way) and if they are wanting a little scare, then “The Haunting Hour” is a series that they will enjoy.

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire (a J!-ENT Children’s DVD Review)

December 16, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Colorful, adventurous and fun for the entire family, “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic: Adventures in the Crystal Empire” is animation for a new generation of “My Little Pony” fans of all ages.

DVD TITLE: My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adentures in the Crystal Empire

TV SERIES AIR DATE: 2012

DURATION: 5 Episodes (2 Hours)

DVD INFORMATION: 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, 2.0 Stereo

COMPANY: Shout! Kids/Hasbro Studios

RATED: NOT RATED

RELEASE DATE: December 4, 2012

Directed by Jayson Thiessen, James Wootton

Written by Lauren Faust, Amy Keating Rogers, Mitch Larson, Meghan McCarthy, Cindy Morrow, Charlotte Fullerton, Chris Savino, Dave Polsky, Merriwether Williams

Executive Producer: Chris Bartleman, Stephen Davis, Lauren Faust, Kirsten Newlands, Blair Peters, Sarah Wall, Beth Stevenson

Music by William Anderson

Art Direction: Ridd Sorensen

Featuring the voices of:

Tara Strong as Twilight Sparkle

Tabitha St. Germain as Rarity

Ashleigh Ball as Applejack

Andrea Libman as Pinkie Pie

Cathy Weseluck as Pinkie Pie

Cathy Weseluck as Spike

Nicole Oliver as Princess Celestia

Michelle Creber as Apple Bloom

Shannon Chan-Kent as Pinkie Pie

Madeline Peters as Scootaloo

Peter New as Big Macintosh

Claire Corlett as Sweetie Belle

Brian Drummond as Mr. Cake

Richard Ian Cox as Snails

Brend Crichlow as Zecora

Lee Tockar as Snips

A magical empire has suddenly appeared in the arctic north of Equestria, and Princess Celestia needs Twilight Sparkle and her friends to find a way to protect it. While her friends try to keep the Crystal Ponies occupied at the Crystal Faire, Twilight Sparkle searches for the hidden Crystal Heart that is the key to keeping their empire safe from harm!

One thousand years ago, an evil Unicorn King, King Sombra, took over the Crystal Empire but was overthrown and turned into a shadow and banished to the Arctic North. But right before he was banished, he put a curse on the empire, which made the empire vanish from the face of Equestria.

Now Princess Celestia puts her trust into Twilight who will join her brother Shining Armor and his wife Princess Cadence and friends to protect Equestria.

Will Twilight be prepared for her biggest test yet?

What is “My Little Pony?”

“My Little Pony”, the popular toy franchise from Hasbro that entertained young girls with a series and toys which lasted from 1983 through 1995.

Similar to Hasbro’s TV series marketed to boys, such as “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe”, many women grew up with the series, collected the toys and hoped for a new series for their children and the next generation of fans who are passionate for the new toyline.

In 2010, the fourth generation of “My Little Pony” was created, titled “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” which airs on The Hub and is set in Equestria. This time around, the new series was designed by animator Lauren Faust, best known for her work on “The Powerpuff Girls” and “Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends”.

The new “My Little Pony” series is set in Equestria. The series focuses on the character of Twilight Sparkle, a pony who is more focused on her studies on magic, rather than socializing. And we get to see how Twilight Sparkle and her other friends in Equestria go on adventures or have problematic situations in their lives and learn from them.

The following episodes are included in this DVD:

(EPISODE 53) The Crystal Empire, Part 1 – Twilight Sparkle joins her brother Shining Armor and Princess Cadance (with Pony friends) to go to the Crystal Empire and protect it.
(EPISODE 54) The Crystal Empire, Part 2 -Twilight Sparkle must find the Crystal Heart, but Evil King Unicorn King Sombra had hidden the artifact. Can they find it before it’s too late?
(EPISODE 16) Sonic Rainboom – Rainbow Dash is planning to participate in the Young Flier’s Competition in Cloudsale and plans to perform the “Sonic Rainboom”. But Twilight and the others want to attend but they can’t fly. But what happens when Rarity is given a set of beautiful wings?
(EPISODE 30) Luna Eclipsed – Princess Luna visits Ponyville for the Festival of Nightmare Night. But what happens when the residents panic when they see Princess Luna’s appearance and her outdated mannerisms?
(EPISODE 46) It’s About Time – Twilight Sparkle is visited by her future self about something is to happen on Tuesday morning.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” is presented in 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen and 2.0 Stereo. The series features a colorful palette with a lot of colors and character designs that will appeal to young girls. There is some of that Lauren Faust style to the series but “Friendship is Magic” features solid, pastel colors, backgrounds and colors definitely separates itself from other children’s animated series out there. Picture quality is good and dialogue and music is crystal clear.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” comes with a sing along and coloring sheet (note: When the DVD is inserted to a PC or Mac, there is a printable coloring page in the DVD’s folder.).

EXTRAS:

“My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” comes with a slipcover case.

Featuring new adventures with Twilight Sparkle and friends in “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” as the group must protect the Crystal Empire from the evil unicorn king!

In my last review, I mentioned that I had no idea of how popular this series was, not just with children or fans who grew up with the series, but with a niche group of fans who are quite passionate about the characters or toys. In fact, I discovered for the first time of a group called “Bronies” of young men or teenage boys who are passionate about the series. And the series has become so popular that conventions are adding their own “My Little Pony” related panel or event to their schedule.

I recently attended a convention that had a My Little Pony segment to it. And I saw first hand of seeing young women and men celebrating their love for the series with art contests to wearing “My Little Pony” hats and more. I admit I was clueless and thought that only young girls or older fans watched this series but I quickly learned that this series has a new demographic and I’m sure Hasbro who had depended on the success of “Star Wars”, “Transformers” and “G.I. Joe” are quite thrilled that these new fans of all ages are passionate about the franchise.

And while in the west, the appreciation of “My Little Pony” may seem a bit unusual to those not familiar with it, having covered pop culture in different countries, having seen guys into “Sailor Moon” and magical girl animated series to Italy having its popular “Wink” fairy series, in this day and age, there are forms of pop culture that people are passionate about. And obviously since 2010, “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” has its fair share of new fans that are not children but teenagers and adults.

But as far as I remember, back in the ’80s, my sister was a big collector of “My Little Pony” and my familiarity with the series is more towards the hardcore collectors who try to find ever special edition of the toys in the US or internationally.

Although the franchise is targeted was primarily targeted towards girls and most of the characters are all female (except Twilight Sparkle’s dragon friend and her brother Shining Armor), despite the cute characters, this series definitely has an edgier side and can easily appeal to young girls and boys.

And for parents who wonder if this DVD is safe for their children, it is quite safe but the situations may be a bit too dark and not as happy as some parents may want. But by no means is this animated series violent or too scary, if anything, it’s a colorful series that focuses on teamwork and other important lessons that children can learn with each episode.

“Adventures in the Crystal Empire” showcases Twilight Sparkle’s maturity and how the Princess has put her faith in her and gives her an opportunity to advance with this latest test. So, with her big mission, Twilight Sparkle and friends have their biggest mission yet.

As for the DVD, there are five episodes total and also a bonus coloring sheet and a sing-along to keep children busy!

Overall, “My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic” is a pretty good animated series for children or the young at heart. And for hardcore fans of the series, no doubt that they are more than likely going to pick up a DVD copy of “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” but hopefully for these fans, a full season DVD release will be available in the near future.

Colorful, adventurous and fun for the entire family, “My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic – Adventures in the Crystal Empire” is animation for a new generation of fans of all ages.

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

November 18, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

For those who grew up with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this is the ultimate set! “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series” features all three seasons plus the season 3.5 mini-series, new and older special features and more! What an awesome set that fans will definitely want to own. Highly recommended!

DVD TITLE: Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series

TV SERIES AIR DATE: 1993-1996

DURATION: Episodes 1-155 (19 DVD’s)

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3, English Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo, Closed Captions

COMPANY: Saban/Shout! Factory

RATED: TV-Y7 FV

RELEASE DATE: November 20, 2012

Directed by Terence H. Winkless, Robert Hughes, John Stewart, Shuki Levy, Robert Radler, Worth Keeter, Jonathan Tzachor, Jerry P. Jacobs, Armand Garabidian, David Blyth, Adrian Carr, Jeffrey Reiner, John Blizek, Marco Garibaldi, Douglas Sloan, Vickie Bronaugh, Isaac Florentine, Larry Litton, Paul Schrier

Written by Shuki Levy, Stewart St. John, Shell Danielson, Douglas Sloan, Cheryl Saban, Mark Hoffmeier,Mark Litton, Judd Lynn, Julianne Klemm,Ellen Levy-Sarnoff, Peggy Nicoll, Gary Glasberg, Dan Sarnoff, Jeff Deckman, Steve Kramer, Mark Ryan, Ronnie Sperling, Jackie Marchand, Tony Oliver, Chris Schoon, Tomy Wyner, Barbara Oliver, Gilles Wheeler

Executive Producer: Shuky Levy

Supervising Producer: Tony Oliver, Douglas Sloan, Winston Richard

Produced by Ronnie Hadar, Jonathan Tzachor, Ken Fukuyoshi

Co-Producer: Paul Rosenthal, Ann Knapp, Ellen Levy-Sarnoff

Music by Ron Wasserman

Cinematography by Llan Rosenberg

Edited by Charlie Bowyer, Adi Ell-Ad, Sharon Janis, John Blizek

Art Direction by Steven R. Miller

Series Set Decoration by Sonya Edingburgh

Costume Design by Danielle Baker

Featuring:

Richard Steven Horvitz (voice of Alpha 5)

David Yost as Billy Cranston

Amy Jo Johnson as Kimberly Hart

Austin St. John as Jason Lee Scott

Thuy Trang as Trini Kwan

Walter Jones as Zack Taylor

Jason David Frank as Tommy Oliver

Paul Schrier as Farkas “Bulk” Burkmeier

Jason Narvy as Eugene “Skull” Skullovitch

Barbara Goodson as the vice of Rita Repulsa

Machiko Soga as Rita Repulsa

David Fielding as the voice of Zordon

Richard Genelle as Ernie

Robert Axelrod as Finster

Kerrigan Mahan as Goldar

Michael Sorich as Squatt

David Mallow as Baboo

Romy J. SharfSandi Sellner as Alpha 5

Wendee Lee as Scorpina

Johnny Yong Bosch as Adam Park

Steve Cardenas as Rocky DeSantos

Karan Ashley as Aisha Campbell

In 1993 two unsuspecting astronauts unleashed the greatest evil Earth had ever known — the heinous witch Rita Repulsa. In the 20 years since, with each new villain more sinister than the last, the citizens of Earth have relied on the Power Rangers to protect them. As a superhero team comprising “teenagers with attitude,” the Power Rangers must use their individual strengths combined with the virtue of teamwork to vanquish their foes, keeping Earth safe for another day.

After its premiere in August of 1993, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers became a phenomenon in children’s programming unlike anything the world had ever seen. An instant global sensation, the franchise launched a hugely successful toy line, live stage tour, theatrical feature film and, most importantly, two continuous decades of entertainment that captured the imagination of multiple generations of fans. Now you can see where the international sensation began with the complete first series, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, on 19 discs, including the ten-episode Alien Rangers miniseries and two discs containing rarely seen archival material and brand-new retrospective featurettes!

1993. It was an intriguing time in the United States as we saw elements of Japanese pop culture starting to make its way to television. From Japanese animation being shown on television, so was a sentai series known as “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”.

Based on the 16th installment of the Super Sentai franchise and known as “Kyoryu Sentai Zyuranger” in Japan, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” became an amazing hit as it aired on Fox Kids and made Saban Entertainment a household name for people growing up at that time. Instead of releasing the Japanese version of the series and providing an English dub, Saban Entertainment wrote new episodes and just used the footage featuring the action sequences including the rangers and their mecha vehicles incorporated to the new footage.

And with the 20th Anniversary of the Power Rangers in America taking place in 2013, Shout! Factory will be releasing the complete series via 19-DVD set of “Mighty Morphon Power Rangers: The Complete Series”. The ultimate set for fans of the original Power Rangers!

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was a simple story focusing on five teenagers in the fictional city of Angel Grove, California.

The five teenagers, who are good friends, included the fitness jock Jason Lee Scott (as portrayed by Austin St. John), the dancer Zack Taylor (as portrayed by Walter Jones), the gymnast Kimberly Hart (As portrayed by Amy Jo Johnson), the intelligent Billy Cranston (as portrayed by David Yost) and the always happy Trini Kwan (as portrayed by Thuy Trang).

While the teens put hang out at a teen Youth Center owned by Ernie (As portrayed by Richard Genelle) and are often upset at the local wannabe bullies Bulk (as portrayed by Paul Schrier) and Skull (as portrayed by Jason Narvy), everyone likes to have fun at the center.

While in space, two astronauts discover an extraterrestrial container and when they open it, they inadvertently release the evil alien sorceress named Rita Repulsa who was confined in the container for over 10,000 years. And now Rita has her sights of conquering the planet Earth with her evil space aliens and monsters.

The wise sage known as Zordon, who was responsible for capturing Rita and confining her, now needs to make sure Earth is protected. So, Zodon has his robotic assistant named Alpha 5, find five teenagers who can help defend the Earth from Rita’s attacks.

And the five teenagers are brought to headquarters to meet Zordon and Alpha 5 and find out that they have been selected to defend the Planet Earth from Rita Repulsa’s attacks. They will be given the power of the Power Rangers, dino-powered warriors of goodness.

Jason becomes Red Ranger, Zack becomes Black Ranger, Billy becomes Blu Ranger, Trini becomes Yellow Ranger and Kimberly becomes Pink Ranger. The five are given weapons and a vehicle to control. And when their opponent becomes too strong for all five to challenge, the five can use their vehicles to become one huge robot known as the Megazord.

As the five teens use their new powers to defend the planet from Rita Repulsa’s monsters, a new teenager with martial arts skills shows up in Angel Grove. His name is Tommy Oliver (portrayed by Jason David Frank), who has the power of the Green Ranger, but is he friend or foe?

As the first season focused on Rita trying to use the Tommy/green power ranger against the Power Rangers and then trying to regain the power, the second season would introduce new antagonists.

In season two, Rita Repulsa’s superior, Lord Zedd has arrived and upset with her performance, he throws her into the space dumpster and focuses on his own personal campaign to conquer Earth. But because of the new threat, Zordon and Alpha upgrade the Dinozords into the Thunderzords, with the exception of Tommy who must continue to use the Dragonzord.

Meanwhile, as Zedd ties to focus on eliminating Tommy, Zed creates a special green crystal in order to take away the powers of the Green Ranger and also power up Zedd’s Dark Rangers. Meanwhile, Jason, Zack and Trini are chosen to attend the World Peace Conference in Switzerland and that means that the Power Rangers will need new members. And the three’s powers are transferred over to new members Rocky DeSantos (portrayed by Steve Cardenas), the new red ranger; Adam Park (portrayed by Johnny Yong Bosch), the new black ranger and Aisha Campbell (portrayed by Karan Ashley); the new yellow ranger.

This will eventually lead to a new storyline featuring a transformation of Tommy into the White Ranger with a Tigerzord and become the new leader of the group. As for Rita Repulsa, she makes her re-appearances, albeit with a special makeover to have a younger and prettier face. Thus creating two power-house antagonists that the Rangers must contend with.

In season three, a new antagonist known as Rito Revolto (Rita’s skeletal brother) has now arrived on Earth and showing his might, destroys the Power Rangers Thunderzords and even the Tiger Zord. Needing new zords, the Power Rangers seek the creator of the Power Coins, Ninjor and the result is the creation of powerful Ninjazords and the Falconzord and later to the Shogunzords.

The third season introduces us to Katherine Hillard (portrayed by Catherine Sutherland) who arrives from Australia to Angel Grove and becomes the new replacement for Kimberly who chooses to pursue her dreams of competing in the Pan Global Games and becomes the new Pink Ranger.

The third season also, introduces us to Rita’s father, Master vile and turns the Power Rangers into children and leads to the ten-episode mini-series (a.k.a. Season 3.5), Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers (which is included in the season three DVD release).

With Master Vile using the Orb of Doom to turn the Power Rangers into children, Zordon recruits the Alien Rangers of Aquitar for their help. Meanwhile, Billy tries to find a way to restore everyone back to their normal ages and that is to find the fragments of the Zeo Crystal.

Here is a spoiler-less summary of the episodes featured in the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series”:

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol. 1″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 1 – DAY OF THE DUMPSTER – Rita Repulsa has been released from her imprisonment, the sage Zordon selects five teenagers and gives them the dino-powers of goodness to protect the planet.
EPISODE 2 – HIGH FIVE – Rita tries to trap the Power Rangers in a Time Warp.
EPISODE 3 – TEAMWORK – When Kim and Trini try to shut down a local waste dump, they don’t know the waste dump is owned by Rita.
EPISODE 4 – A PRESSING ENGAGEMENT – Rita tries to split the Rangers up during their battle with the King Sphinx.
EPISODE 5 – DIFFERENT DRUM – Kimberly’s deaf friend has a problem fitting in at the Youth Center.
EPISODE 6 – FOOD FIGHT – Rita sends Finster’s creation, the Pudgy Pig to the Youth Center’s International Food Festival.
EPISODE 7 – BIG SISTERS – Kim and Trini become a big sister for teh mischievous Maria. But Rita kidnaps Maria and the Power Rangers must save her.
EPISODE 8 – I, EYE GUY – Billy tries to help his youn, intelligent friend Willy with his Virtual Reality device for the Angel Grove Science Fair.
EPISODE 9 – FOR WHOM THE BELL TROLLS – Trini brings her favorite doll, an elf named Ticklesneezer to Angel Grove High’s Hobby Week.
EPISODE 10 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZACK – The Rangers and Ernie plan a surprise birthday party at the Juice Bar for Zack.
EPISODE 11 – NO CLOWNING AROUND – Trini takes her cousin Sylvia to the fair but the fair is a front for Rita’s Putties and one turns Sylvia into a cardboard cutout. Can Trini save her cousin and bring her back to normal.
EPISODE 12 – POWER RANGER PUNKS – When Billy and Kimberly’s drinks are spiked, they become bullies.
EPISODE 13 – PEACE, LOVE AND WOE – Billy bumps into an intelligent girl named Marge and both decide to the upcoming dance together. But what happens when Madame Woe captures Marge?
EPISODE 14 – FOUL PLAY IN THE SKY – Kim goes for flying lessons with her Uncle Steve, a pilot. But when Rita puts a sleeping potion in Rita’s drink, Kim must take over the controls of the airplane during flight.
EPISODE 15 – DARK WARRIOR – Trini’s scientist uncle Howard drops by to showcase his new invisibility formula, which Rita wants.
EPISODE 16 – SWITCHING PLACES – Squat and Bamboo play around with BIlly’s brain switching machine and causes him and Kimberly to swap bodies.
EPISODE 17 – GREEN WITH EVIL, PART 1: OUT OF CONTROL – Tommy Oliver has come to town and Kimberly falls for him. But when Rita kidnaps Tommy and turns him into the evil Green Ranger, what happens when he infiltrates the Command Center.
EPISODE 18 – GREEN WITH EVIL, PART 2: JASON’S BATTLE – Tommy transports Jason into the Dark Dimension.
EPISODE 19 – GREEN WITH EVIL, PART 3: THE RESCUE – Jason is powerless in the Dark Dimension and must fight against Goldar and the Green Ranger.
EPISODE 20 – GREEN WITH EVIL, PART 4: ECLIPSING MEGAZORD – Giant Goldar attacks Angel Grove, meanwhile the Power Rangers look for Zordon.
EPISODE 21 – GREEN WITH EVIL, PART 5: BREAKING THE SPELL – The Green Ranger’s identity is revealed.
EPISODE 22 – THE TROUBLE WITH SHELLSHOCK – Baboo and Squatt create a turtle monster known as Shellshock.
EPISODE 23 – ITSY BITSY SPIDER – Trini and Billy try to save the Forest Spirit Statue from being destroyed.
EPISODE 24 – THE SPIT FLOWER – Kimberly must design a flower float for teh big Angel Grove Parade.
EPISODE 25 – LIFE’S A MASQUERADE – A costume party is being held at the Youth Center but Rita uses the opportunity to mine a special clay on Earth to make Super Putties.
EPISODE 26 – GUNG HO! – Jason and Tommy team up for an upcoming Team Ninja competition at the Youth Center.
EPISODE 27 – WHEEL OF MISFORTUNE – The Power Rangers are involved in a stage play of Rumpelstiltskin at Angel Grove High.
EPISODE 28 – ISLAND OF ILLUSION, PART 1 – Rita sends the six Rangers to her trans-dimensional island where worst fears become a reality.
EPISODE 29 – ISLAND OF ILLUSION, PART 2 – The Power Rangers are trapped in the Island of Illusion. Can they escape?
EPISODE 30 – THE ROCKSTAR – Jason and his young cousin Jeremy get caught up in a plot by Rita and Scorpina.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 1, Vol. 2″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 31 – CALAMITY KIMBERLY – Kimberly is having a bad day and Rita sends a Samurai Fan Man to fight the Power Rangers.
EPISODE 32 – A STAR IS BORN – Tommy competes against Bulk for a TV commercial and the Raners must take on Scorpina’s pet worm.
EPISODE 33 – THE YOLK’S ON YOU – Finster creates the Fang monster for Rita’s birthday, but the monster becomes enraged when Baboo & Squat eat his rare “Gooney Bird” eggs, Goldar tells the Fang monster that the Power Rangers are responsible and now the Fang monster wants revenge.
EPISODE 34 – THE GREEN CANDLE, PART 1 – Rita plans to put an end to the Green Ranger.
EPISODE 35 – THE GREEN CANDLE, PART 2 – Tommy fights back against the cyclops monster with all his might.
EPISODE 36 – BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Zack teaches young students to compete in a karate tournament, meanwhile the Power Rangers must take on a Hatchasaurus monster.
EPISODE 37 – CLEAN-UP CLUB – The Rangers organize a Clean-Up club.
EPISODE 38 – A BAD REFLECTION ON YOU – Rita has a new monster known as the Twin Man who creates evil doppelgangers of the Power Rangers.
EPISODE 39 – DOOMSDAY, PART 1 – Angel Grove throws a big celebration to the Power Rangers, but Goldar has his own plans to defeat the Power Rangers on their special day.
EPISODE 40 – DOOMSDAY, PART 2 – The Zords have been damaged and Rita has captured the entire population of Angel Grove and imprisons them in another dimension.
EPISODE 41 – RITA’S SEED OF EVIL – The Rangers plant saplings in the park, but Rita also plants something…an Octoplant.
EPISODE 42 – A PIG SURPRISE – The Rangers organize a Pet Adoption program and an older lady donates a pig, but the old lady is actually a putty.
EPISODE 43 – SOMETHING FISHY – When the Rangers organize a Pet Adoption program, Billy declines to take part of it because of his fears of being bitten by a fish. Rita exploits this fear by creating a Toxic fish monster.
EPISODE 44 – LIONS AND BLIZZARDS – When the Rangers win the Oddball Games, Rita turns their strange trophy into a chimera.
EPISODE 45 – CRYSTAL OF NIGHTMARES – The Rangers must study for an upcoming test and head to the cabin up in the mountains, but Goldar uses this moment to use the Crystal of Nightmares on the Rangers.
EPISODE 46 – TO FLEA OR NOT TO FLEA – Ernie’s Youth Center and Juice Bar is going out of business and Rita introduces her newest monster, the Fighting Flea.
EPISODE 47 – REIGN OF THE JELLYFISH – Angel Grove High School plants to bury a time capsule and inside the capsule includes a photo of the Power Rangers which makes Rita very jealous that her photo is not included. So, she unleashes her jellyfish monster to go after the Power Rangers.
EPISODE 48 – PLAGUE OF THE MANTIS – Trini trains with Master Li and learns the Praying Mantis Style.
EPISODE 49 – RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND, PART 1 – It’s Parent’s Day at the Youth Center and Rita traps the parents and puts them in another dimension.
EPISODE 50 – RETURN OF AN OLD FRIEND, PART 2 – Tommy is teleported to Command Center to become the Green Ranger once again.
EPISODE 51 – GRUMBLE BEE – Billy gets a B on his test and feels he must study more. Meanwhile, Finster creates the Grumble Bee to take on the Rangers.
EPISODE 52 – TWO HEADS ARE BETTER THAN ONE – Baboo and Squatt create a turtle monster known as Shellshock.
EPISODE 53 – FOWL PLAY – The Power Rangers take on a two-headed parrot monster.
EPISODE 54 – TRICK OR TREAT – Kimberly takes on Skull in the nation’s biggest game show, “Trick or Treat!”.
EPISODE 55 – SECOND CHANCE – Ernie selects the lineup for the Angel Grove Junior Soccer team but a young boy named Roger isn’t on it. So, the Rangers try to help them.
EPISODE 56 – ON FINS AND NEEDLES – Jason and Tommy teach free karate classes at the Youth Center. But Rita is sickened by their friendship and sends down a Slippery Shark Monster to end this friendship.
EPISODE 57 – ENTER…THE LIZZINATOR – Kimberly tries to help her Cousin make it on the Angel Grove Junior High cheerleading squad, but Squat and Baboo kidnap her.
EPISODE 58 – FOOTBALL SEASON – Tommy is struggling on Angel Grove High football team due to his karate training. Rita sends down a Rhinoblaster to take on the Power Rangers.
EPISODE 59 – MIGHTY MORPHIN MUTANTS – With self-improvement week at Angel Grove High, Rita creates her own mutant rangers.
EPISODE 60 – AN OYSTER STEW – Zack wants to impress Angela by getting her presents for her birthday, but he doesn’t know the earrings are evil Pearls of Stiffness which freezer her and everyone else around them except Zack and Tommy.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 2, Vol. 1″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 61 – THE MUTINY, PART 1 – The Rangers take part in a charity 4-wheeler race, meanwhile Lord Zedd has returned to the galaxy!
EPISODE 62 – THE MUTINY, PART 2 – Lord Zedd sends out a Pirahntishead to take control of the Tyrannosaurus Dinozord and the Dragonzord.
EPISODE 63 – THE MUTINY, PART 3 – If Billy can find a way to get control of the Dinozords, Zordon can upgrade them to Thunderzords. But will Billy be able to do it?
EPISODE 64 – THE WANNA-BE RANGER – Lord Zedd creates the Primator which can transform himself into an exact double of anyone.
EPISODE 65 – PUTTY ON THE BRAIN – Lord Zedd puts his power on Billy’s special sunglasses and each time he puts them on, the Rangers will be put on a spell to think their teammates are Putties.
EPISODE 66 – BLOOM OF DOOM – When no one joins Kimberly’s gardening club, Lord Zedd puts a spell on Kimberly and making her jealous of Trini.
EPISODE 67 – THE GREEN DREAM – Why is Tommy having a dream that he will be losing all his powers?
EPISODE 68 – THE POWER STEALER - It’s another clean-up drive in Angel Grove and Lord Zedd sends his Octophantom monster to steal Tommy’s powers.
EPISODE 69 – THE BEETLE INVASION – Zedd creats a Stag Beetle monster.
EPISODE 70 – WELCOME TO VENUS ISLAND – The group are having fun at the beach but Goldar kidnaps Trini’s young neighbor Hallie..
EPISODE 71 – THE SONG OF GUILLARDO – The Rangers have fun at a picnic but Lord Zedd turns a cicada into a Guitardo monster.
EPISODE 72 – GREEN NO MORE, PART 1 – Tommy and Kimberly witness a transmission from the future in which Tommy loses all his powers.
EPISODE 73 – GREEN NO MORE, PART 2 – Lord Zedd strips the Power Rangers from their Morphers. Tommy is trapped in another dimension.
EPISODE 74 – MISSING GREEN – Jason can’t concentrate on the big karate tournament as he feels guilty for not getting the Green Candle to prevent Tommy from losing his powers.
EPISODE 75 – ORCHESTRAL MANEUVERS IN THE PARK – A big jazz concert at the Youth Center but Zedd creates a Trumpet Top monster to go against the Rangers.
EPISODE 76 – BEAUTY AND THE BEAST – Lord Zedd needs a bride and Goldar, Squatt and Baboo kidnap Kimberly.
EPISODE 77 – WHITE LIGHT, PART 1 – Tommy vanishes without warning and what is this strange gold object that Bulk and Skull has found in the park?
EPISODE 78 – WHITE LIGHT, PART 2 – The Rangers are wondering who is the White Ranger?
EPISODE 79 – TWO FOR ONE - Kim and Tommy go out on a date but the two are attacked by the Putties.
EPISODE 80 – OPPOSITES ATTRACT – Billy is working on a new experiment and Lord Zedd sends Goldar and the Putties to disrupt the experiment.
EPISODE 81 – ZEDD’S MONSTER MASH – It’s Halloween and Ranger Teens are helping at the Youth Center, but the Putties have a surprise waiting.
EPISODE 82 – THE NINJA ENCOUNTER, PART 1 – The Power Ranger teens encounter their friends from Stone Canyon High School (Rocky, Aisha and Adam).
EPISODE 83 – THE NINJA ENCOUNTER, PART 2 – Rocky, Aisha, Adam and Mr. Anderson are trapped in teh cave and the Power Rangers must save them.
EPISODE 84 – THE NINJA ENCOUNTER, PART 3 – The group ties to figure out how to unfreeze, Jason, Zack and Trini and save their friends before they are turned into the dark side.
EPISODE 85 – A MONSTER OF GLOBAL PROPORTIONS – Lord Zepp kidnaps the international reps of the World Teen Summit and the Rangers will need help from their new friends.
EPISODE 86 – ZEDD WAVES – Rocky, Aisha and Adam compete in a triathalon. Meanwhile, Lord Zedd sends a Beamcaster monster to disrupt them.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 2, Vol. 2″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 87 – THE POWER TRANSFER, PART 1 – With Jason, Zack and Trini planning to attend the World Peace Conference in Switzerland, they must give their powers to their new replacements….Aisha, Adam and Rocky.
EPISODE 88 – THE POWER TRANSFER, PART 2 – The new Rangers try to find and retrieve the Sword of Light.
EPISODE 89 – GOLDAR’S VICE-VERSA – It’s time for the Vice-Versa dance at Angel Grove High but with Adam without a date, Goldar sends in Sabrina to catch his eye.
EPISODE 90 – MIRROR OF REGRET – Adam’s young student gets picked on because he is smaller. Meanwhile, Goldar comes down to Earth to use the Mirror of Regret.
EPISODE 91 – WHEN IS A RANGER NOT A RANGER? – Lord Zedd turns Adam’s kaleidoscope into a Scatterbrain monster.
EPISODE 92 – ROCKY JUST WANTS TO HAVE FUN – Lord Zedd puts a spell on Red Ranger and Rocky begins to shirk all responsibilities.
EPISODE 93 – LIGHTS, CAMERA, ACTION – The Power Rangers are scheduled to appear on “The Harvey Garvey Show”.
EPISODE 94 – WHEN THERE’S SMOKE, THERE’S FIRE - It’s “Fire Safety Week” at Angel Grove High and Aisha is appointed to Fire Safey Captain. But Lord Zedd creates a Flamehead monster to cause problems.
EPISODE 95 – SCAVENGER HUNT – The Rangers take part in a Scavenger Hunt at Angel Grove and Lord Zedd turns one item into a Cannontop monster.
EPISODE 96 – THE GREAT BOOKALA ESCAPE – A traveler from the planet Bookala lands in Angel Grove PaArk and Lord Zedd wants to steal the traveler’s special diamond.
EPISODE 97 – FOREVER FRIENDS – Aisha’s friend Shawna takes on Kimberly at the gymnastics competition. But Goldar kidnaps Shawn and Kim.
EPISODE 98 – A REEL FISH STORY – Lord Zedd recreates Rita’s water-based monsters while the Rangers are hanging out at Angel Grove Lake.
EPISODE 99 – RANGERS BACK IN TIME, PART 1 – Lord Zedd uses the Rock of Time to reverse the Earth’s rotation and everyone reverts to children.
EPISODE 100 – RANGERS BACK IN TIME, PART 2 – The Rangers have become children and their only hope are…a young Bulk and Skull?
EPISODE 101 – THE WEDDING, PART 1 – The Ranger teens take a class vacation to Australia. Meanwhile Alpha 5 is corrupted by Finster’s virus.
EPISODE 102 – THE WEDDING, PART 2 – The Rangers must take on monsters in an abandoned theater. Evil Alpha 5 is now in control of the command Center.
EPISODE 103 – THE WEDDING, PART 3 – Lord Zedd and a young Rita Repula get married.
EPISODE 104 – THE RETURN OF THE GREEN RANGER, PART 1 – Rita and Zedd summon the Wizard of Deception and send the teens back in time.
EPISODE 105 – THE RETURN OF THE GREEN RANGER, PART 2 - The White Ranger vs. the Green Ranger.
EPISODE 106 – THE RETURN OF THE GREEN RANGER, PART 3 – It’s the 1700s and the Rangers must take on human-sized rats
EPISODE 107 – BEST MAN FOR THE JOB – Tommy runs for office at school and his competition…Kimberly?
EPISODE 108 – STORYBOOK RANGERS, PART 1 – Angel Grove sponsors a book fair and Zedd and Rita zap Kim, Tommy and Rocky into a storybook.
EPISODE 109 – STORYBOOK RANGERS, PART 2 – Rocky, Tommy and Kimberly are stuck in the book, Grumble, the Magic Elf”.
EPISODE 110 – WILD WEST RANGERS, PART 1 – Kimberly gets sucked into a timehole and ends up in Angel Grove in 1880.
EPISODE 111 – WILD WEST RANGERS, PART 2 – Kimberly is trapped in Angel Grove, 1880 and must find a way to get back to the present time.
EPISODE 112 – BLUE RANGER GONE BAD – A girl named Violet creates a statue of Billy, but Goldar, Baboo and Squatt turn it into a life-sized replica of the Blue Ranger.

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season 3″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 113 – A FRIEND IN NEED, PART 1 – Alpha’s planet Edenoi is under attack by Count Dregon.
EPISODE 114 – A FRIEND IN NEED, PART 2 – The Rangers meet up with the people pf Planet Edenoi and their prince Dex (Masked Rider).
EPISODE 115 – A FRIEND IN NEED, PART 3 – The Power Rangers and Masked Rider take on the minions of Count Dregon.
EPISODE 116 – NINJA QUEST, PART 1 – Rito Rvolto, brother of Rita, plays a visit to Lord Zedd and Rita and destroys the Thunder Megazord and Tigerzord.
EPISODE 117 - NINJA QUEST, PART 2 – Lord Zedd Rita and Rino are having a party to celebrate the destruction of the Thunder Megazord and Tigerzord. Meanwhile, the Power Rangers seek Ninjor, creator of the Power Coins.
EPISODE 118 - NINJA QUEST, PART 3 – The Power Rangers are given the Ninja Zords.
EPISODE 119 - NINJA QUEST, PART 4 – The Power Rangers with their Ninja Zords fight Rito.
EPISODE 120 – A BRUSH WITH DESTINY - Kimberly has nightmares of moving to Paris and Finster tries to take advantage of the situation.
EPISODE 121 – PASSING THE LANTERN – Adam receives a paper lantern with mysterious gifts. Rito tries to steal the lantern.
EPISODE 122 – WIZARD FOR A DAY – Rocky switches places with Mr. Wilton, meanwhile Rito goes to Earth to destroy the Rangers.
EPISODE 123 – FOURTH DOWN AND LONG -Rocky’s uncle, a star quarterback comes to Angel Grove to visit. Finster creates the Centiback to fight the Rangers.
EPISODE 124 – STOP THE HATE MASTER, PART 1 – Lord Zedd and Rita creates the evil Hate Master and all Rangers are under his spell except Aisha.
EPISODE 125 - STOP THE HATE MASTER, PART 2 – Aisha and Alpha must find a way to break the Hate Master’s spell.
EPISODE 126 – FINAL FACE-OFF – Kimberly goes to the museum to learn about a face-stealing monster.
EPISODE 127 – THE POTION NOTION – Zedd has a second honeymoon for Rita. Meanwhile, Rito sends Miss Chief with a love potion to Angel Grove.
EPISODE 128 – I’M DREAMING OF A WHITE RANGER – It’s Christmas Eve and Zedd and Rita send their troops to the North Pole to capture Santa Claus and the elves.
EPISODE 129 – A RANGER CATASTROPHE, PART 1 – Kimberly and Aisha find a stray cat and Rita wants to take advantage of the situation.
EPISODE 130 - A RANGER CATASTROPHE, PART 2 – The stray cat that Kimberly and Aisha finds, ends up to be Katherine, an old friend of Kimberly.
EPISODE 131 – CHANGING OF THE ZORDS, PART 1 - Rita now having control of Katherine uses her to steal Kim’s power coin.
EPISODE 132 - CHANGING OF THE ZORDS, PART 2 – The Rangers fight the Incisorator, meanwhile Kimberly is kidnapped by Lord Zedd.
EPISODE 133 - CHANGING OF THE ZORDS, PART 3 – Tommy agrees to pilot Lord Zedd’s evil Shogun Zords.
EPISODE 134 – FOLLOW THAT CAB – Bulk, Skull and Kimberly try to find a criminal.
EPISODE 135 – A DIFFERENT SHADE OF PINK, PART 1 – Kimberly receives an offer from an international gymnast trainer and Kimberly wonders if she can pursue her dream and quit being a Ranger.
EPISODE 136 - A DIFFERENT SHADE OF PINK, PART 2 – The Rangers fight the Tenga Warriors and Rito, meanwhile Kimberly is in the hospital.
EPISODE 137 - A DIFFERENT SHADE OF PINK, PART 3 – Kimberly makes her decision to follow her dream and Katherine becomes the new Pink Ranger.
EPISODE 138 – RITA’S PITA – Rita makes the healthy Tommy want nothing but junk food.
EPISODE 139 – ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL – Tommy runs for office at school and his competition…Kimberly?
EPISODE 140 – A CHIMP IN CHARGE – Katherine and Aisha to help teach a monkey named Kelly communicate with sign language. Lord Zedd turns Kelly to a Sinister Simian monster.
EPISODE 141 – MASTER VILE AND THE METALLIC ARMOR, PART 1 – Rita and Rito’s father Master Vile has arrived and he transports the Rangers’ zords to another dimension.
EPISODE 142 – MASTER VILE AND THE METALLIC ARMOR, PART 2 – Tommy and Katherine try to find the Falcon Zord and Zeo Crystal.
EPISODE 143 – MASTER VILE AND THE METALLIC ARMOR, PART 3 – The Rangers must retrieve their zords in another dimension.
EPISODE 144 – THE SOUND OF DISCHORDIA – Aisha and Katherine write a song for school and the evil Dischordia is created by Master Vile.
EPISODE 145 – RANGERS IN REVERSE – Master Vile turns the Power Rangers into children.

“Mighty Morphin Alien Rangers – Season 3.5″ (Note: The episodes are listed by production code order, not air date)

EPISODE 146 – ALIEN RANGERS OF AQUITAR, PART 1- The Power Rangers have been turned into their younger selves and Lord Zedd and his minions are causing chaos in Angel Grove.
EPISODE 147 - ALIEN RANGERS OF AQUITAR, PART 2 – The young Rangers meet their Alien Ranger allies.
EPISODE 148 – CLIMB EVERY FOUNTAIN – Young Billy and the Alien Rangers work together.
EPISODE 149 – THE ALIEN TRAP – The kids work on a new device to help the Alien Rangers.
EPISODE 150 – ATTACK OF THE 60′ BULK – Zedd and Rita want to create a new monster.
EPISODE 151 – WATER YOU THINKING? – The Rangers try to find the shattered pieces of the Zeo Crystal, while Zedd and Rita try to keep water away from the Alien Rangers in order to keep them dry.
EPISODE 152 – ALONG CAME A SPIDER – Billy needs to find parts to be used for the Zeo Crystal.
EPISODE 153 – SOWING THE SEAS OF EVIL – Young Tommy and Katerine are on their quest, meanwhile Rita and Zedd create a Hydro Hog.
EPISODE 154 – HOGDAY AFTERNOON, PART I – Aisha’s quest begins. Lord Zedd looks for the Zeo Crystal.
EPISODE 155 - HOGDAY AFTERNOON, PART II – Aisha’s quest leads them to the final piece of the Zeo Crystal. But Rito and Goldar want the complete Zeo Crystal.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series” is presented in 4:3 and this is probably the best quality we are going to see of the series. As many ’90s shows (animated or live action) will not receive the HD remastering or cleanup (especially due to the costs involved in remastering and clean up), having owned the VHS copies including the old Matrix Interactive Xiphias multimedia CD of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”, this is probably the best quality that I have seen of the series so far.

But with that being said, the series does look soft, it does feature noise and occasional specks do show up here and there. It’s important to note that the series was low budget in the beginning, it combined Japanese footage with American-made footage, so the sources do differ at times. But back then, Saban made it work! And as the series progresses, the picture quality does get a bit better.

As expected on DVD, with ten episodes on a single DVD, you can expect mild artifacts and banding. But for those who recorded the series on VHS or bought the original VHS or low-res Quicktime multimedia CD like I did back then, this is probably the best looking version of the TV series on any media right now.

As for audio, the audio is actually quite clear via Dolby Digital Stereo 2.0. Dialogue and music is clear and I heard no audio problems during my viewing of the entire series.

There are no English subtitles but closed captions are included.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series” comes with the following special features:

Morphin Time! – (32:44) A look back ad the “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” phenomenon with new interviews with the cast and creative team.
A Morphenomenal Cast: A Look at Becoming a Power Ranger – (35:06) Casting director Katy Wallin and the stars of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers ” talk about being cast for the show and the camaraderie of teh cast members.
Lord Zedd’s Monster Heads – (25:03) A video montage of the various monsters featured in the series.
Alpha’s Magical Christmas – (23:14) The original Power Rangers Christmas special episode featuring Alpha celebrating Christmas with the children.
The Good, The Bad and the Stupid! The Misadventures of Bulk and Skull - (52:13) A special episode featuring Bulk and Skull as Civil Defenders and recalling their past adventures.
The Fans Power Up! A Peek Inside the Power Rangers Fandom – (13:46) Fans of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” talk about what they remember of the series when it first aired on television and the cast talk about how the fans are phenomenal and loyal.
Rare Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Fan Club Video – (29:48) The original video created for the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Fan Club featuring the original season one cast. And a chance for fans to learn more about the cast behind the Power Rangers.
MMPR Karate Club: The White Ranger Kata – (51:17) The karate club videos that were originally included in the VHS tapes featuring Jason David Frank teaching how to do martial arts.
Power Rangers Live: The World Tour – (1:11:59) Featuring the Power Rangers live stage show.

EXTRAS:

Featuring a 40-page booklet with information on the series, character bios, episode summary and more. The set comes with a big slipcase to old all DVD’s.

Back in 1993, I was a big fan of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”.

At the time, I was running a Japanese animation and pop culture BBS and I remember myself and a group of other adult friends just being happy because we were starting to see Japanese pop culture, may it be anime or sentai (Japanese term for “squadron” but most often used for Ranger-type shows) on American television.

As a big fan of the anime series “Gatchaman” (also known as “G-Force” or “Battle of Planets” in the U.S.), I had this interest in sentai series. Mainly because I thought martial arts and the uniforms were cool, typically there was always a pretty starlet playing a member of the series and just enjoyed the series no matter how corny the storyline or adversaries would be or how the Yellow Ranger (Japanese scenes taken from Zyuranger) in action was played by a guy, while the America’s Yellow Ranger was a female.

My personal favorite in Japan was “Ninja Sentai Kakurangers” and also “Chojin Sentai Jetman”, but when I found out that Kyoryuu Sentai Zyuranger (Dinosaur Task Force Zyuranger) was coming to America with the name “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers”, suffice to say, I was excited to see how its American interpretation would be. Especially how it would utilize the Japanese scenes.

And at the time, I can easily remember guys go crazy over Amy Jo Johnson, people wanting to design and have a Power Rangers helmet or costume and saw the excitement with the addition of the Green Ranger/White Ranger Tommy Oliver.

But as the series became popular, I can easily remember news stories of parents of different countries complaining about the violence of the series and children using martial arts on their siblings or other kids. Parents going crazy with the introduction of Lord Zedd and automatically seeing a new person playing Rita Repulsa.

But possibly the biggest shock would be the contract disputes in season two involving Austin St. John, Thuy Trang and Walter Jones and Saban making their statement clear that any cast member can easily be replaced. And by mid-season, three new cast members appeared in the series.

So, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was an intriguing part of early ’90s pop culture. Many people were captivated by the show and even today, many young people including dedicated fans who have been around since 1993, continue to follow the series.

And because this series was so brand new and introduced people to sentai to larger audience, the original series holds a strong place in the hearts of many sentai fans! And the fact that I grew up with this series, suffice to say, I have nothing but positive memories of watching the shows with friends and back during those earlier years of being online via BBS or when the internet started to become used in the household, this is one series that I will always remember chatting with people while it was airing on television. Those were the days!

So, here we are with the fantastic DVD release of “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Season – The Complete Series”. Over 155-videos on 19 DVD’s. And watching these episodes takes me back to 1993, because I can remember chatting with people about these episodes, reading messages from the Amy Jo Johnson fans but seeing how people were really getting into the series by episode 17. The Green Ranger arc known as “Green with Evil” was so popular that many people would chime in on these episodes and what they thought of new character Tommy Oliver.

I can easily remember when Tommy became the White Ranger and then of course the baton was passed from the first cast to three new members and eventually seeing the Thunderzords, then the Ninja zords and seeing goodbye to Kimberly and Katherine replacing her as the new Pink Ranger. So, many memories!

Watching it today, sure the series can be a bit corny. With the monsters ala rubber suits, a Black character as Black Ranger and an Asian as Yellow Ranger is a bit stereotypical and seeing the early ’90s fashion definitely makes this series a product of its time. And I’m sure a lot of us had jokes of seeing a Yellow Ranger with an adam’s apple back then and even to my chagrin of seeing Saban Entertainment doing the 3.5 series featuring the Power Rangers turned to children. How delighted I was that the series did not turn out to be like “Big Bad Beetleborgs”.

But these episodes were fun to watch again and like any fan who is nostalgic for the series, it’s great to have this DVD set, especially containing all these episodes for a pretty wonderful price! I can remember paying a lot more for the VHS tape including the multimedia disc that had the bad quality, small low-res Quicktime videos at the time. The old multimedia discs were so bad that colors were faded, artifacts galore and they were split up into multiple media files.

So, it’s great to have this all three seasons on DVD. And like many ’80s or early ’90s shows, they are not going to be the greatest in clarity. Picture quality is slightly soft, there are white specks that can be seen as with noise and yes, there is a little interlacing and artifacts that are expected on DVD (note: Mostly noticeable when watching it on big screens but not on smaller televisions) but considering the alternatives out there of watching this series on physical media, this is probably the best looking version you’re going to get for this first season and the good news is that as the series progresses, picture quality does get better.

But all first three seasons and season 3.5 together in one set is fantastic! And also the inclusion of the special features, quite a few that are new and some of the old features that were on the VHS tapes are included on this DVD set. While it would have been nice to have one of the convention press conferences being included on the special features or even a cast audio commentary reuniting some of the original members, I am quite pleased that there are newer interviews included with this DVD release but it would be great to have commentary, press conference and also the original pilot, which I was hoping to be included with this DVD set.

But fortunately, fans who want to know more about the Power Rangers that aren’t featured in the special features can still catch the cast at various conventions. Fortunately original talents such as Austin St. John, Walter Jones, David Yost, Jason David Frank, Paul Schrier, Jason Narvy and Rita Repulsa voice actress, Barbara Gordon, are still very active in the convention scene and enjoy meeting with fans of the series but unfortunately a true reunion with all six original members together would be impossible due to the unfortunate death of actress Thuy Trang (Trini/Yellow Ranger), who died in a car accident in 2001.

But there was something magical about this cast. They were newbies but for us who grew up with them, I think it was positive in the sense that the casting was diverse. I was also proud of the series back then because it featured a Black and Asian hero. Not sure if Saban was trying to be multi-cultural or politically correct but for me, how proud I was to see the casting of Walter Jones and Thuy Trang. As an Asian American, you just don’t see Asian heroes (outside of martial arts films distributed in America at the time), for me, to have a strong character like Trini, I was grateful for that. And of course, it continued with the newer members with Johnny Yong Bosch, Steve Cardenas and Karan Ashley. And I’m glad that to this day, people of different ethnicities are still featured in these character roles for the different Power Rangers series within the last 20 years. I find that pretty awesome!

But nevertheless, “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers” was a big part of the lives of many children and young adults. I was one of those fans who enjoyed it back then and met many good friends who were fans of the series and as I got older, eventually having friends who were involved in various Power Rangers series, may it be as talent or on the technical end of the series.

Overall, for those who grew up with Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, this is the ultimate set! “Mighty Morphin Power Rangers – The Complete Series” features all three seasons plus the season 3.5 mini-series, new and older special features and more! What an awesome set that fans will definitely want to own. Highly recommended!

Filed Under: Children's DVD/Blu-ray, DVD Reviews

Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Creatures Unleashed (a J!-ENT DVD Review)

November 13, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

DVD TITLE: Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Creatures Unleashed

TV AIRDATE: 2012

DURATION: 110 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 16:9 Anamorphic Widescreen, English and Japanese Dolby Digital 5.1, English subtitles

COMPANY: Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory

RATED: TV Y7 FV

Release Date: December 4, 2012

Written by Andrew Robinson, Henry Gilroy, Brandon Auman, Mark Hoffmeier, Marty Isenberg, Joseph Kuhr

Producer: Haven Alexander

Executive Producer: Stephen Davis

Supervising Producer: Gary Hartle

Music by Kristopher Carter, Michael McCuistion, Lolita Ritmanis

Edited by Michael William Miles, Matt Barrios

Art Direction by David Colman

Featuring the following voice talent:

Phil LaMarr as Gabe Wallace

Kari Wahlgren as Allie Underhill

Scott Wolf as Ray Pierce-Okamoto

David Sobolov as Bob

Dee Bradley Baker as Gargle

Oded Fehr as The Choten

Andrew Kishino as Grandpa

Freddy Rodriguez as Chavez

Grey DeLisle as Alakshmi

John Di Maggio as Nigel

Jason Marsden as Fingers

Rachel Robinson as Megaria

Ray, a 14-year-old who lives with his mom and grandfather, has been recruited by the Duel Masters to study KAIJUDO – “The Way of the Creature.” They chose Ray for his natural talent as a creature tamer and duelist. Along with pals Allie and Gabe, Ray learns to work with the magical creatures… in their world. Each duel he fights yields new experience and allies in both worlds. The Veil, which has divided the two worlds for a thousand years, is crumbling. Hope lies with those who can masters the art of KAIJUDO.

In 2012, Hasbro’s subsidiary Wizards of the West Coast released the Kaijudo collectible card game.

One day, one of Ray’s drawings of a creature comes out of the rift and in the process, the Duel Masters wonder how is it that this young boy is able to draw these creatures out to the real world.

VIDEO & AUDIO:

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters – Creatures Unleashed” comes with the following special features:

A Look at Kajiudo: Rise of the Duel Masters - A six minute featurette with the crew discussing how the animated series came to be and also interviews with the voice talent.

Exciting, action-packed and a great compliment to the popular “Duel Masters” card game, “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters” is awesome!

Sure, it may receive comparisons to “Pokemon” or “Digimon” through its young characters being able to access creatures with special abilities during battle but the series definitely has a style that will attract younger viewers as well as older viewers.

I watched the series with my nine-year-old and he absolutely loved the series and I also enjoyed it as well. It’s full of humor, action and the five episodes included on the DVD are quite exciting. And as marketing for the collectible cards, even my son was intrigued as he is a Pokemon collectible card collector and now is interested in “Kaijudo: Rise of the Duel Masters”.

I can only hope that the complete series will be released on Blu-ray and DVD because it’s a very well-written, cool animated series!

Filed Under: DVD Reviews

G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season (a J!-ENT Blu-ray Disc Review)

September 3, 2012 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment

Exciting, fresh and different kind of storyline for “G.I. Joe” fans, “G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season″ on Blu-ray is definitely recommended!

TITLE: G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season

YEAR OF TELEVISED AIR DATE: 2011

DURATION: 26 episodes (9.5 hours)

BLU-RAY DISC INFORMATION: 1080p High Definition, 1:78:1 Anamorphic Widescreen, DTS-HD MA 5.1 Surround, PCM 2.0 Stereo

COMPANY: Hasbro Studios/Shout! Factory

RATED: PG-13 (For Sexual Content, Some Crude Humor and Brief Drug Use)

RELEASE DATE: September 25, 2012

Directed by Randy Myers, Kevin Altieri, Scott Bern, nathan Chew, Scooter Tidwell

Written by Henry Gilroy, Marty Isenberg, Greg Johnson, Greg Johnson, Stan Berkowitz, Eugene Son, Dean Stefan, Alexx Van Dyne

Executive Producer: Stephen Davis, Jeff Kline

Line Producer: Phil S. Crain

Consulting Producer Therese Trujillo

Music by Jeff Eden Fair, Starr Parodi

Featuring the voices of:

Jason Marsden as Duke

Matthew Yang King as Tunnel Rat

Kevin Michael Richardson as Roadblock

Natalia Cigliuti as Scarlett

David Kaye as Narrator

Tatyana Yassukovich as Baroness

Charles Adler as Cobra Commander

Charlie Schlatter as Dr. Mindbender

Nika Futterman as Lady Jaye

Johnny Messner as Flint

Khary Payton as Ripcord

Andrew Kishino as Storm Shadow

Clancy Brown as Destro

Kim Mai Guest as Jinx

Danny Cooksey as Young Snake Eyes

Keone Young as Hard Master

Brian Bloom as Zartan

Lee Majors as General Abernathy

Andre Sogliuzzo as Major Bludd

Stephen Stanton as Tomax

Greg Ellis as Breaker

When a spy mission against Cobra Industries goes awry, a group of young G.I. JOEs is forced to hit the road as fugitives. Now the team members (Duke, Scarlett, Roadblock, Tunnel Rat, Ripcord and Snake Eyes) must use their wits and elite training to prove their innocence to the world before being caught by the authorities, Cobra or another elite military team called the Falcons.

With exciting, action-packed storytelling, spectacular animation and incredible voice talent (including appearances by Clancy Brown (CarnivÃ le), Michael Emerson (Lost), Phil LaMarr (MADtv), Peter MacNicol (Ghostbusters II) and Lee Majors (The Six Million Dollar Man) G.I. JOE Renegades is guaranteed to keep you on the edge of your sea.

“G.I. Joe: Renegades” is the latest action series from Hasbro Studios.

And similar to their successful “Transformers” series which features the main characters in different storylines with each series release, Hasbro Studios follows a similar trend after the TV series “G.I. Joe: Sigma Six” and the more adult-themed series “G.I. Joe: Resolute”.

While G.I. Joe has been a successful toyline since 1964 with its 12 -inch figure lineup, it wasn’t until the “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” 3.75 action figures were released that many children would flock to the toys and purchase the action figures, vehicles and playsets, thanks in part to the Marvel Comics comic-book series and the animated series which would begin in 1985.

Possibly the most unique aspect of G.I. Joe, unlike it’s Hasbro counterpart with “Transformers and “Star Wars” is that, while those series continues to attract a demographic of all ages, “G.I. Joe” is one of the most unique series where its collectors are adults who grew up with the “G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero” toys from its 1982 release or its re-appearance in the ’90s.

And while those who grown up with the toyline have introduced it to their children, many adults continue to show their passion for the toys and the animated series on forums and even a convention dedicate to G.I. Joe fans.

And with the second live action movie, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation” about to make its release (including the toyline), what better time than to get the children acquainted with the series and also get excited for the movie by releasing “G.I. Joe: Renegades” on DVD. Shout! Factory will be releasing the first half of episodes “G.I. Joe: Renegades: Season 1, Volume 1″ in June 2012.

“G.I. Joe: Renegades” is possibly the most unique G.I. Joe storyline so far. Mainly because the series begins with the Cobra Industries being seen as the good guys, while a small group of military officers from The Falcons form “G.I. Joe” which is led by Lt. Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara (previous series had featured Duke as the main leader of the team) and when things go wrong with an explosion at Cobra Industries, G.I. Joe is blamed for it.

The group is now wanted by the government and are being pursued not only by Cobra Industries but also by the Falcons. The series focuses on the group as they visit different areas while they are on the run and trying to clear their names.

Only 26-episodes were created in the series and while the DVD version is split into two volume DVD releases, the Blu-ray release contains all 26 episodes from season 1.

“G.I. Joe: Renegades” focuses on the adventures of the following members:

Duke (Sgt. Conrad Hauser) – A military officer who puts his teams safety first and is always willing to help people. While Lt. Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara is the high ranking officer in charge of the group, because of his experience and many respect him, Duke is the team’s de facto leader.
Snake Eyes – A ninja who has a mysterious connection with Scarlett. He wears a mask and does not speak, due to the severe injuries he received after an altercation with ninja, Storm Shadow and a situation that happened in his past.
Scarlett (Lt. Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara) – A military intelligence officer and the high ranking officer responsible for G.I. Joe. She is excellent with computers and has a mysterious connection to Snake Eyes. She was also trained by Snake Eyes. She feels responsible for G.I. Joe becoming fugitives.
Roadblock (Cpl. Marvin Hinton) – Known for his expertise in heavy artillery, he loves heavy metal and singing loud.
Tunnel Rat (Private First Class Nicky Lee) – The team medic and EOD (bomb disposal) specialist. Loves crawling in tunnels and sewers and is familiar with soil, insects and plants. A Chinese-American who is very sarcastic.
Ripcord (Private Wallace Weems) – Smart mouthed paratrooper who runs into major trouble in the first episode of the series.

Here is a brief spoiler-less summary of each episode of “G.I. Joe: Renegades″:

EPISODE 1 – The Descent, Part 1 – A new group consisting of military officers of the Falcons are on a mission and are known as G.I. Joe, their job…to investigate Cobra Pharmaceuticals.
EPISODE 2 – The Descenet, Part 2 - After an explosion at Cobra Pharmaceuticals, the media has branded G.I. Joe as renegades and are now fugitives that must be captured. Meanwhile, Flint, the leader of the Falcons is in charge of capturing G.I. Joe.
EPISODE 3 – Rage – Tunnel Rat is kidnapped by Cobra Industries Scrap-Iron and is being used for testing on a suit made for James McCullen and M.A.R.S. Industries.
EPISODE 4 – Dreadnoks Rising – G.I. Joe are now in a Kansas town where people are being terrorized by Zartan and the Dreadnoks. The group try to help the locals.
EPISODE 5 – The Package - The Baroness wants mercenary Major Bludd to assassinate a former Cobra employee, a man who goes by the name of “Breaker”.
EPISODE 6 – Return of the Arashikage, Part 1 – The group stays at Snake Eyes dojo where they meet his first apprentice Jinx and learn about his connection to Storm Shadow.
EPISODE 7 – Return of the Arashikage, Part 2- Snake Eyes and G.I. Joe go after Storm Shadow who has kidnapped Jinx.
EPISODE 8 – Busted - Duke is wrongfully imprisoned and G.I. Joe must break him out of prison.
EPISODE 9 – The Enemy of My Enemy – The Joes infiltrate a Cobra stronghold, meanwhile Cobra unveils Cobra Commander and Destro.
EPISODE 10 – Fire Fight – Cobra gives orders to Firefly to burn a resort town, meanwhile G.I. Joe and a firefighter named Barbecue try to stop him.
EPISODE 11 – Homecoming, Part 1 – Duke’s family is being targeted by Cobra and we learn about the past between Duke and Flint.
EPISODE 12 – Homecoming, Part 2 – With a few of the Joes captured by Flint, the remaining Joes have been branded “Springfield Four”. Meanwhile, Storm Shadow returns.
EPISODE 13 – Brothers of Light – Tomax and Xamot disguise themselves as the Brothers of Light, spiritual healers.
EPISODE 14 – Knockoffs – Flint and Lady Jaye release Zartan from prison in hopes he will help them track down the Joes. But when Zartan uses Baroness’ camouflage suit to escape, the Joes and Falcons team up alongside Wild Bill to search for Zartan.
EPISODE 15 – White Out - Dr. Mindbender creates prototype “Shadow-Vipers”.
EPISODE 16 – Shipwrecked – Hector “Shipwreck” Delgado helps the Joes transport a canister containing a prototype Techno-Viper stolen from the Cobra lab to Washington D.C. in order to show proof that Cobra Industries are working on illegal activities.
EPISODE 17 – Castle Destro – The Joes are trapped in Destro’s castle.
EPISODE 18 – Union of the Snake – The Joes decide to crash a communications summit held by the Baroness.
EPISODE 19 – The Anaconda Strain – The Joes uncover a deadly virus known as the Anaconda Strain.
EPISODE 20 – Prodigal – The Joes raid a Cobra medical facility to search for a Patient X, but they soon find out, it’s a person they know quite well.
EPISODE 21 – The Anomaly – Dr. Mindbender goes to work on another human/Bio-Viper hybrid.
EPISODE 22 – Cutting Edge – Scarlett and Snake Eyes sneak into Cobra Commander’s secret facility. Who is the mysterious ninja that has attacked Cobra Commander’s home?
EPISODE 23 – Cousins – Flint hires Corporal Hershel Dalton a.k.a. Heavy Duty to apprehend his cousin Roadblock.
EPISODE 24 – Going Underground – The Joes investigate a series of earthquakes caused by Cobra’s massive drilling excavator.
EPISODE 25 – Revelations, Part 1 – Scarlett learns the truth about her father.
EPISODE 26 – Revelations, Part 2 – The Joes take on Cobra Industries head on.

VIDEO:

“G.I. Joe: Renegades: The Complete First Season” is presented in 1080p High Definition, 1:78:1 aspect ratio. The picture quality is actually noticeable on Blu-ray compared to its DVD counterpart. Sharper, vibrant colors when it comes to reds. More clarity can be seen in the overall animation.

I have to admit that I was not exactly captivated by the new look of G.I. Joe in “Renegades” as it was a major departure compared to the original and also “Sigma 6″ and “Renegades”. In some way, it reminded me of a Japanese anime style used in the series “Hakkenden” but then I started to appreciate the look because it was different. I figured with a storyline that was so different from any other storyline in the series, why not have a new look to differentiate it from other G.I. Joe lines and if that was case, the company succeeded.

The fact that “G.I. Joe: Renegades” has its own style, it’s starting to grown on me and love the fact there are many characters introduced but also seeing these new character designs for characters (both G.I. Joe and Cobra) that I grew up with and collected. And I have to say that Hasbro also pulled off the animation to action figure very well (especially with the Storm Shadow action figure from “Renegades”).

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

As for the audio, “G.I. Joe Renegades” is presented in DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 and PCM Stereo. For its lossless soundtrack, I heard effects via the surround channels that are more evident on Blu-ray vs. its DVD counterpart. For example, in one scene, I could hear Duke’s rocket pack through the surround channels, also hearing other ambiance that I never detected during my original DVD review. So, there is much more dynamic range and use of the surround channels when listening to the DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 soundtrack.

Dialogue and music are crystal clear and was impressed by the differences between the Blu-ray and DVD version of “G.I. Joe Renegades”.

SPECIAL FEATURES

“G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season” comes with the following special features:

The Descent, Part 1 Audio Commentary – Featuring executive producer/developer Jeff Kline, story editor/writer Henry Gilroy, VP of Development for Hasbro Studios, Mike Vogel and consulting producer, Theresa Trujillo.
The Descent, Part 2 Audio Commentary – Featuring executive producer/developer Jeff Kline, story editor Marty Isenberg, VP of program and development of HUB, Ted Birselli and supervising director Randy Myers.
Return of the Arashikage, Part 1 Audio Commentary – Featuring writer Greg Johnson, supervising director Randy Myers, composing team members Starr Parodi and Jeff Fair.
Return of the Arashikage, Part 2 Audio Commentary – Featuring director Kevin Altieri, storyboards Patrick Archibald, location designer Kenny McGil and production coordinator Tim Wolkiewic.
Busted Audio Commentary – Featuring director Scooter Tidwell, storyboard artist Armen Mirzaian, production coordinator, Jerry Regan and prop designer, April Eriksson.
Castle Destro Audio Commentary – Featuring director Nathan Chew, animatic editor David Fain and story editor Henry Gilroy.
Union of the Snakes Audio Commentary – Featuring director Scott Bern, storyboard revisionist Will Ruzicha, VG designer Edgar Carlos and character design supervisor Steve Jones.
Revelations, Part 2 Audio Commentary – Featuring writer Marty Isenberg, casting and voice director Ginny McSwain, Charlie Schaltter (voice of Dr. Mindbender) and Natalia Isenberg (voice of Scarlett).
Original Featurette – (11:02) Preview of “G.I. Joe Renegades”.
A Tribute to Clement Sauve – (4:01) A tribute to Clement Sauve, character designer for “G.I. Joe Renegades” who died of cancer in January 2011. Co-workers share their memories of Clem.

I don’t think I would have ever imagined the G.I. Joe characters being the hunted. It’s one thing for a group to be wanted by Cobra but to also have another group known as The Falcons led by Flint, going after the Joes as well. It was a major surprise for me but also, a fresh storyline that made things quite exciting and new.

“G.I. Joe: Renegades”, a series for a new generation of G.I. Joe fans but also a series that is unique in the G.I. Joe universe as the storyline is outside of the American Hero canon, but yet paying homage to the original characters that older fans are familiar with.

While I know the look and style of the series will always be debated among G.I. Joe fans, especially older fans used to the original Sunbow series, I figured whether it was “Transformers” or “Star Wars”, there has been a look that went along with each series release and it’s a reality that G.I. Joe fans have to get used to. There will always be a new look for G.I. Joe with each television series release and it also supports the new toyline.

Part of the challenge that Hasbro has always had when it came to the look of G.I. Joe is that the hardcore fans want the remake of the original ’80s line using today’s newer technology, while trying to please these fans, they then release the toyline based on the animated series and it’s always debated online (ever since “Sigma 6″) between fans who like or dislike the new look.

With that being said, “G.I. Joe: Renegades” does utilize a different look that Joe fans will love or hate. As much as I love G.I. Joe, I also realize that these animated series, while many adults watch them, Hasbro also needs to cater to a new generation of fans and I’m quite supportive of that.

I’m among those adults who still continues to collect G.I. Joes, but this time around, it’s a hobby that I share with my son. I have purchased the newer lines inspired from the animated series such as the “Sigma 6″ line, the “Resolute” line and also the “Renegades” line.

And with that being said, I’m always open for something new. As much as I know there are G.I. Joe fans that want an extension of what they grew up with back in the ’80s and ’90s, I don’t know if we’ll ever that ever happening. Things have changed so much with G.I. Joe that there is a need to bring in a new generation of audience, as well as toy collectors.

I enjoyed “Sigma 6″ but people felt it was too much like anime (which is interesting because the older ’80s Sunbow series was created in Japan) and the toyline was not the 3 3/4 that collectors were used to. The “Resolute” line was a more adult version where characters die and while appreciated by fans, the timing of the animated release was right before live-action film and thus, “Resolute” was a quick transition and was never meant to be a long animated series to begin with.

So, “G.I. Joe: Renegades” is a new storyline not focusing on the past but using characters from the popular line and bringing them into a storyline that revolves around the G.I. Joe team being pursued by the U.S. Govt. and Cobra. What I enjoyed about this series is the re-imagining of many characters, their new look to coincide with the series and this storyline with Cobra now part of society through it’s products, with G.I. Joe blamed for an explosion, you would never expect these guys of being the team “wanted” by the American government and also pursued by their fellow soldiers from the Falcon unit.

It’s an entertaining storyline and this first DVD release features the first half of the series and I look forward to the second half as Duke, Scarlett and the others try to show that Cobra is an evil organization and they are not guilty for the crimes that they are accused of.

Also, since the ’80s and early ’90s G.I. Joe animated cartoons, there really hasn’t been a series that tried to bring back characters from the past. With Renegades, we have Flint and Mary J, Breaker, Law & Order, Steeler, Doc, Stalker, Tripwire, Barbecue and even Major Bludd, Serpentor, Tomax and Xamot appear in the first half of the series. How cool is that!? And even more characters show up in the second half of the series and if anything, while a different storyline, at least Hasbro Studios have made the effort of bringing these characters back.

As much as I enjoyed the series, many including myself are wondering if there will be a second season. Internet reports say there will be, another said the series is done. Unfortunately, unlike “Transformers” or “Star Wars” (which Hasbro is responsible for the toyline) in which different toylines, unfortunately with G.I. Joe, this is not the case.

With that being said, I can only hope that older fans and newer fans will support all G.I. Joe animated releases. “G.I. Joe: Renegades” is not the same series that many people grew up with back in the ’80s and ’90s but still, it’s a valiant effort for Hasbro Studios to continue the G.I. Joe line for a new generation, unlike myself and many others who had the comic books, animated series and toyline all at the same time.

It’s a shame because the “Renegades” animates series not only was exciting for fans (who are open to different storylines outside of “A Real American Hero”, the toys that coincided with the series was awesome and the Storm Shadow Renegades was one of the best G.I. Joe figures ever released. So, for now… all I can only hope that with the many characters featured in the series, that Hasbro allows a second season to continue, so the toyline can continue as well.

As for parents, the series, for the most part, is safe. These shows were on the Hub and there is a bit of violence as can expected (like the old series) with fighting and people shooting at each other. But nothing visually violent to the point where people are being killed and you see blood. But parents may not want to show this to younger children who may enact what they see on television.

As for the Blu-ray release of “G.I. Joe Renegades”, I know there are going to be some people who are upset that they purchased the DVD, not knowing that a Blu-ray release would be available after the season one, part one DVD release. But it does happen (as evidence by Shout! Factory’s “Transformers Prime” Blu-ray release). But it’s great to see that there are people who are vocal and are wanting HD releases of these animated series.

But for those who were wondering if it is worth the upgrade to watch this series in HD, the answer is yes. Not only are colors more vibrant and clarity much more evident in video quality for Blu-ray, my tests on the lossless audio track showed there was more dynamic range and surround channel use compared to its DVD counterpart. So, you get better picture quality and also lossless audio with the Blu-ray release. Also, you get a good number of special features as well, especially a good number of audio commentary tracks from the crew and getting to learn the different process in the making of “G.I. Joe Renegades”.

I also like the fact that all episodes are presented in one collection. But the truth is that the Blu-ray release is much better than its DVD counterpart, that is if you have the equipment to display HD and listen to the series in HD. Otherwise, if you don’t, the DVD release is still good but if you have a Blu-ray player or a PS3, then definitely, “G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season” is worth upgrading and purchasing!

Overall, as a fan who grew up with the original series, comic books and 3 3/4 toyline, I welcomed this fresh new storyline but most of all, hoping that Hasbro can continue a series which a new generation of fans can watch and grow up with as well.

Exciting, fresh and different kind of storyline for “G.I. Joe” fans, “G.I. Joe Renegades: The Complete First Season″ on Blu-ray is definitely recommended!

Filed Under: Blu-ray Reviews