Columbia TriStar Home Video presents

Dragon Tales: Believe in Yourself (2001)

Let's all go to Dragon Land.........- (from the show's theme song)

Stars: Andrea Libman (Emmy), Danny McKinnon (Max)
Other Stars: Eli Gabay (Quetzal), Jason Michas (Zak), Kathleen Barr (Wheezie), Ty Olsson (Ord)
Director: Various

MPAA Rating: Not Rated for (nothing objectionable)
Run Time: 01h:03m:26s
Release Date: 2004-07-27
Genre: family

Style Grade	Substance Grade	Image Transfer Grade	Audio Transfer Grade	Extras Grade
A	A	A-	B	C-

 

DVD Review

Hard to believe, but we’re already up to Volume 12 in Columbia Tri-Star’s ongoing releases of cartoon adventures featuring Emily, Max, and the lovable inhabitants of Dragon Land.

Dragon Tales: Believe in Yourself is the latest compilation taken from PBS’s critically lauded animation program, collecting five episodes with the all-important theme of confidence, taking on new challenges, and stimulating trust in one’s talents and/or abilities.

Lucky Stone: Ord's in a sad way because he's misplaced his lucky, sentimental, heart-shaped stone. Max would have just have happened to stumble upon it prior to hearing the news, mistaking it for a typical rock and tossing it into a nearby stream. Will the Big O still be able to do his flying tricks without the aid of his lucky charm, or will he believe in himself? A great kick-off that establishes the theme of this collection.

Head Over Heels: Quetzal's brother Fernando has a touch of the flu, and a big cold requires a big bowl of soup, so Emmy and Max volunteer to help the gang haul the super-sized bowl. Easier said than done, though; they'll have to get past a toll gate whose guarding troll insists that everyone do a cartwheel to go past (I just write these deals, kids; don't ask). Poor Em isn't proficient in that area, but with a little help from her friends, she just might qualify for entrance.

The Balancing Act: Ord wants to ride Emmy's skateboard, but he's a little on the (ahem) heavy side. Leave it to the ever-crafty Quetzal to be handy with a watering pot full of a magical liquid that enhances anything it showers upon! But aw, what about Emily's sidewalk pride and joy returning to normal shape?

Just for Laughs: It's "Custard Egg Hunt" time in the land o' dragons; finding all six of 'em and returning them to Quetzal promises a magical happening. But having a couple of baby dragons to look after and difficult clues will make it more challenging than meets the eye.

On Thin Ice: You know, I'm surprised this collection wasn't subtitled The Quetzal Collection, for the wise old dragon is present again requesting help from the Dragon gang to celebrate and surprise his friend Willy the Snowseal for his birthday. Rather than the routine leaping out of a box, it's collaboration time, to compose a special song for the birthday boy, er, seal. But before warming up their vocal chords, it's ice skating lessons for Wheezy and Zak; prioritizing, ya know!

As far as an audio/visual check, Believe in Yourself fits the fine standards and qualities of more recent collections of Dragon Tales. Rich in colors, extraordinary sharpness and appealing storybook-ish backgrounds, it continues to be a feast for the eyes. Although it's aurals aren't as exciting as the visuals (an extremely narrow stereo mix that barely earns the term), it's well mixed and vibrant enough to hold young one's attention. And isn't that the important thing?

Rating for Style: A
Rating for Substance: A

 

Image Transfer

	One
Aspect Ratio	1.33:1 - Full Frame
Original Aspect Ratio	yes
Anamorphic	no

Image Transfer Grade: A-
 

Audio Transfer

	Language	Remote Access
DS 2.0	English (Stereo)	yes

Audio Transfer Grade: B 

Disc Extras

Static menu
Scene Access with 5 cues and remote access
3 Other Trailer(s) featuring Bernstain Bears, The Swan Princess, The Swan Princess and The Mystery of the Enchanted Treasure, Columbia Tri-Star Children’s Offerings (including Harold and The Purple Crayon, Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Bear in the Big Blue House, Dragon Tales and Maggie and the Ferocious Beast
Packaging: Keep Case
Picture Disc
1 Disc
1-Sided disc(s)
Layers: single

Extras Review: Aside from trailers for other Columbia-TriStar children’s titles, nothing more.

Extras Grade: C-
 

Final Comments

Confidence and being able to trust yourself is a vital yet healthy attribute to instill in the young; Dragon Tales: Believe in Yourself is a wonderful compilation of stories with appealing characters that will help pre-school children learn and have fun doing it.

Jeff Rosado 2004-12-15