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Columbia TriStar Home Video presentsBear in the Big Blue House: Visiting the Doctor with Bear
(1997-1999)
"I'm gonna call Doc Hog. He'll know what to do."- Bear (Noel MacNeal)
Stars: Noel Macneal
Other Stars: Vicki Kenderes-Eibner, Jim Kroupa, Tyler Burch, Lynne Thigpen, Tara Mooney
Director: Mitchell Kriegman, Hugh Martin
MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 01h:12m:16s
Release Date: 2001-11-27
Genre: family
Style Grade |
Substance Grade | Image Transfer Grade | Audio Transfer Grade |
Extras Grade |
---|---|---|---|---|
B+ | B | A- | B+ | C- |
DVD Review
It's time for another visit with Bear and the other critters who live in the big blue house in Woodland Valley. This time, the disc features three programs devoted to medicine and health.The first episode, "The Big Blue Housecall" features Doc Hog making a housecall for checkups for everyone. While most are comfortable with this idea, bear cub Ojo is frightened of getting a shot and needs to get some reassurance about facing her fears. The song, Just Say Ow helps to lessen the scariness of the experience. Meanwhile, Tutter the mouse is concerned about a strange ba-boom sound in her chest.
Tutter is in trouble again in the second program, "That Healing Feeling." Tutter has hurt his tail and the gang takes him to Doc Hog's office. Tutter feels a bit better to find that the waiting room has toys and interesting stuff to play with and lessen the scariness. Slightly more serious than the vaccination of the first episode, this time out there are X-rays and a cast on Tutter's little tail. The Just Say Ow song makes a reappearance here. Shadow also contributes a tale of monkeys jumping on a bed.
Bear is trying to keep in good shape in "Picture of Health." In addition to his workout, he also emphasizes the importance of proper diet and rest. Although the doc doesn't make an appearance here, at least Bear does the cha-cha-cha. Shadow tells us about the monkeys, again, slightly limiting the replay factor of this disc.
The programs are all in a very positive tone, with plenty of reassurance for toddlers about the often-frightening doctor's office. The songs are all well done and appealing. There's also some good humor that will appeal even to adults. The program, from the Henson studios, manages successfully to walk the fine line between being cute and sickeningly cute. My two-year-old nephew loves these programs, and I'd expect that he's not alone.
Rating for Style: B+
Rating for Substance: B
Image Transfer
One | |
---|---|
Aspect Ratio | 1.33:1 - Full Frame |
Original Aspect Ratio | yes |
Anamorphic | no |
Image Transfer Review: The transfer is appropriately crisp and sharp, with lots of detail (indeed, often strings that shouldn't be seen are quite clearly visible). The furry textures of the denizens of the Big Blue House come through quite nicely. Color is excellent, and black levels are solid. Minimal artifacting was visible, in part due to quite high bit rates used. No edge enhancement was visible.
Image Transfer Grade: A-
Audio Transfer
Language | Remote Access | |
---|---|---|
DS 2.0 | English | no |
Audio Transfer Review: The English stereo soundtrack comes across quite nicely, without hiss or noise. Music is undistorted. I didn't notice any appreciable directionality, however, and bass levels are not particularly pronounced.
Audio Transfer Grade: B+
Disc Extras
Static menuScene Access with 3 cues
Subtitles/Captions in English, Spanish with remote access
4 Other Trailer(s) featuring Dragon Tales, Bear in the Big Blue House, Trumpet of the Swan and Jay Jay the Jet Plane
Packaging: Amaray
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single
Extra Extras:
- Sing-alongsSing-alongs
Extras Grade: C-
Final Comments
Charming and reassuring programs devoted to the doctor and proper health, with copious songs. Small children will surely enjoy these programs.Mark Zimmer 2002-01-03