Pint-sized pixie Tinker Bell has grown far beyond her co-stars from Peter Pan. She’s become a household name and a favorite character of children and adults alike. Her latest direct to video release provides laughs for the little ones, fond memories for the grown-ups and lots of heart.
In her latest adventure, Tinker Bell (voiced again by Mae Whitman, Scott Pilgrim vs The World) is captured by a lonely little girl named Lizzy. Lizzy’s father (Michael Sheen) is a field scientist who studies the creatures in the woods near their home, and he desperately wants his daughter to follow in his footsteps. Lizzy however, is more interested in the possibility that fairies actually exist and would rather her father show more interest in her than his work. Lizzy sets one of her father’s traps and catches Tinker Bell.
Lizzy is longing for attention and doesn’t want to let Tink go, so Tink is more or less being held captive by the little girl. All the while, Tinker Bell’s fairy friends set off on an adventure of their own to save her. Tinker Bell sees the sadness in Lizzy, so she helps her create her very own field journal for fairies. This way Lizzy will have a way to relate to her father, and he can be proud of her. But when he sees the field journal and dismisses it, an angry Tinker Bell reveals herself to him. Will he show the world that fairies exist? Or will Tinker Bell, Lizzy, and the rest of the fairies be able to stop him?
The animation in Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Escape is top notch, and the story is paced perfectly at 76 minutes. This film is supposed to be set pre-Peter Pan, with Lizzy being Tinker Bell’s first human encounter. We get to witness Tink help teach her to fly, before Wendy, John, and Michael flew to Neverland. There are also several very sweet scenes in the film, especially the montage where Tinker Bell helps Lizzy create her field journal.
This little direct to video movie is candy-colored magic, with wonderful songs, and a heart-warming story. Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Escape is geared towards little girls between five and nine years old, but will be enjoyed by whoever is lucky enough to watch it with them. Every little girl watching the film will wish she’s Lizzy, and every grown-up watching will wish fairies really were real.
The film is presented in HD 2.35:1, with Dolby enhanced audio. It looks amazing! The colors are spectacular, and it looks like a dream. The sound is perfect as well, no issues at all.
Deleted Scenes – with optional introduction by director Brad Raymond and Producer Helen Kalafatic – There are five deleted scenes here, some are unfinished sketches. There is one in particular that was finished for this release, a particularly humorous one where Tink is trapped in a doll house by Lizzy’s cat. There’s also an extended tea party scene, with a cute intro. Raymond says that he interviewed 6-9 year olds and asked what they would do if they caught a fairy, and each and every one said they’d have a tea party. Cute! (14:44 total run time)
Music & More – “How To Believe” music video by Bridgit Mendler – A very sweet song. Girls are going to love it. (3:02)
Games & Activities – Fairy Field Guide Builder – A very adorable fairy trivia game that you can play, where every correct answer unlocks a new part in your field guide.
Backstage Disney – Design a Fairy House – Disney held a contest to create your own fairy house, and this shows the winner. It also directs you to pixiehollow.com where you can play games as your favorite fairy. (1:52)
Tangled Sneak Peek – A special preview of the new computer animated film from Disney, a twist on the Rapunzel story. This one looks great! (3:39)
Sneak Peeks – the standard fairy anti-piracy commercial, Disney Parks, Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, The Search For Santa Paws, Disneynature Oceans, The Crimson Wing, Toy Story 3, The Lion King Diamond Edition, Tinker Bell and the Mysterious Winter Woods, Beauty and the Beast Diamond Edition
For some reason, I’m always cynical about these Disney direct to DVD films. Maybe I’m just tired of them cashing in on sequels and direct to DVD franchises like the “Buddies” movies. But Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue exceeded all my expectations. It’s a very sweet film, one that my eight year old daughter will be watching over and over. And I won’t mind watching it with her.
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment presents Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. Directed by: Bradley Raymond. Starring: Michael Sheen, Mae Whitman, Kristin Chenoweth, Lucy Liu. Written by: Bradley Raymond, Bob Hilgenberg, Carolyn Gair, Rob Muir. Running time: 76 minutes. Rating: G. Released on DVD: September 21, 2010.
