Toon Talk: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue - Sep 20, 2010

Toon Talk: Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue
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At first glance, one might see a similarity between Great Fairy Rescue and the 1997 film FairyTale: A True Story, about two young English girls who claim to have photographed actual fairies. But it actually owes more to a pair of Melissa Mathison-penned family film favorites, E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial and The Indian in the Cupboard, stories of a child hiding a fantastic creature from their parents. Tink even freezes in position like a toy to escape the detection of Lizzy�s father at one point, much like the famous E.T.scene.

Naturally, this movie doesn�t come close to possessing the magical wonderment those earlier films do, nor does it continue the exploration of the fairy mythology so present in the two previous Tinker Bell movies. In fact, Miss Bell may be the ostensible star here, but the plot focuses more on Lizzy and a trite �distant father who is too busy to pay attention to his child� story, all of which is wrapped all too quickly and easily.

On the other hand, most people (i.e.: kids) watching The Great Fairy Rescue will have no awareness of its lack of originality, and will likely enjoy seeing �one of their own� becoming fast friends with their favorite fairy. And for those who enjoyed Tink�s earlier adventures set solely in the world of Pixie Hollow, her next movie, titled Tinker Bell and the Mysterious Winter Wood, appears to be a return to form.

The trailer for Mysterious Winter Wood is among the DVD and Blu-ray bonus features, as well as an exclusive sneak peek of Tangled, Disney�s latest fairy tale feature, due in theaters this November. Other bonuses include five Deleted Scenes (including a fully-animated �Cat Attack� sequence, set in a doll house and reminiscent of a famous sequence in the sci-fi classic The Incredible Shrinking Man), a �How to Believe� music video performed by Bridgit Mendler (of The Disney's Channel's Good Luck Charlie), a �Fairy Field Guide Builder� game and the �Design a Fairy House� featurette.

Toon Talk Rating: B

Coming Soon:

  • The �tale as old as time�, Beauty and the Beast, makes its Blu-ray debut October 5.
  • The true story of the legendary racing horse Secretariat comes to the big screen October 8 from Walt Disney Pictures.
  • The second in the DisneyNature series, Oceans, premieres on DVD and Blu-ray October 19.

-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics

Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ... In addition to his Toon Talk reviews, Kirby is the creator of Movie Dearest, a blog for movie fans.

Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.

The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.

-- Posted September 20, 2010

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