Starring
The Voices Of: Jodi Benson, Samuel E. Wright, Jason Martin, Buddy Hacket, Pat
Carroll, Kenneth Mars, Ben Wright, Paddi Edwards, and Christopher Barnes For The
English Version
Narrator:
Roy Dotrice
Original
“Read-Along” Story Adaptation By: Jim Flanning
Music
and Lyrics By Alan Menken and Howard Ashman
Executive
Producer: Luigi-Theo Calabrese
Approximate
Total Feature Length: 90 minutes
Languages:
English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
Subtitles:
English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish
Packaging:
Keep Case
Year
of DVD Release: 2002
Home
Video Distributor: Walt Disney Records
MPAA
Rating: G
Reviewer:
Mark A. Rivera
With
new technology comes new innovations in education and entertainment and while
DVD technology is no longer new, it is never the less the newest technological
format to take a dominant stance in homes around the world. Whether you own a
DVD-Video player, a DVD-ROM player running Windows 95 or higher, or a Sony
Playstation 2 or Microsoft X-BOX Video Game Console, Walt Disney Records’ new
line of “DVD Read-Along” videos will entertain children and the Disney fan
child in adults too. The first to be released on DVD-Video include
“Read-Along” DVD versions of “Monsters Inc.,” “Toy Story 2,”
“Tarzan,” and “The Little Mermaid.” The DVD I was provided did not
indicate on the packaging whether or not it was Region One encoded or Region
Free, but the disc is NTSC format, which is the standard in North America so
while the disc plays in a variety languages, unless you own a code free DVD
player with a built in converter to view NTSC discs, I strongly urge to
consumers from other countries to purchase this title for Region One compatible
North American users only.
That
aside, this is a wonderful learning tool for children and their parents to
explore together. The story, songs, and even a vocabulary section allow the user
to read and or hear the material in a choice of five different languages that
include English, German, French, Italian, and Spanish and these options are all
fully voiced by professional vocalists and one can toggle between the vocal and
subtitle choices with ease while viewing the programming.
The
animation and technology is top notch to create an easy to use three-dimensional
world for DVD users regardless of the platform. Songs included are “Poor
Unfortunate Souls,” “Under The Sea,” with video clips of “Kiss The
Girl” and “Part Of The World.” Games and previews of products coming from
Walt Disney Records, Disney Interactive, and Buena Vista Home Entertainment are
also included. The insert within the DVD keep case is documented in five
different languages like the disc in English, German, French, Italian, and
Spanish.
“Disney’s
The Little Mermaid: Read-Along DVD” will debut day and date with “Monsters
Inc.,” “Toy Story 2,” and “Tarzan” on Tuesday, August 6, 2002 from
Walt Disney Records.
©
Copyright 2002 By Mark A. Rivera
All Rights Reserved.