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Film and Dvds

Tarzan again Second animated Disney film slightly above average By David DicksteinPublished: June, 2005

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For ages 3-9 Tarzan II Disney; G; 72 minutes $30 Available June 14 Batman isn’t the only one reversing the age process this month (“Batman Begins” starts before Bruce Wayne went batty). Disney’s second animated dose of Tarzan begins before he was King of the Jungle. Tarzan, not unlike the way the studio first presented Hercules in another animated feature, was an awkward young kid just trying to fit in, but when one of his major oopsies puts his family in jeopardy, our would-be hero decides to leave the roost. His adventures take him to the mysterious and powerful Zugor, and together they learn that family and friends are the greatest strength of all. It’s a tired Disney message, but a nice one for youngsters nonetheless. Terk the gorilla, Tantor the elephant and Phil Collins’ music are back from the 1999 original. Additions to the voice cast are Glenn Close, George Carlin and Brad Garrett. The movie is a delight, and guaranteed for repeated viewings by the target audience. Still, as with most of Disney’s direct-to-video animated features, the quality is just a grade above Cartoon Network TV fare. Grade: B For ages 6-11 Matilda (Special Edition) Columbia/TriStar; PG; 99 minutes $25 Available June 7 This terrific wicked fantasy of 1996 has been available on DVD for eight years, which means a special edition is ripe for a new generation. The story follows a young girl with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge who overcomes her parents’ disapproval and forms a lasting bond with a sensitive teacher, ultimately discovering her own special abilities. Mara Wilson, perhaps best known as the youngest daughter in “Mrs. Doubtfire,” is wonderful in the title role. Adapted from the novel by Roald Dahl, and directed by Danny DeVito, who also stars as Matilda’s insensitive father. DVD bonuses include a “Get Rid of Mrs. Trunchbull” trivia game, a “Matilda” read along and “A Children’s Guide to Good Manners.” Good educational fun is in store. Grade: A- For ages 6-11 Because of Winn-Dixie 20th Century Fox; PG; 106 minutes $30 Available this month; exact date unavailable at press time Based on the Kate DiCamillo’s Newberry Medal-winning best-seller, the poignant and humorous tale follows a lonely 10-year-old girl adopting a stray dog, Winn-Dixie (so named for the supermarket where she found him), who helps her makes friends in the small Florida town. The bond between India Opal Buloni and her canine companion brings together the eclectic people of Naomi, and helps heal her own troubled relationship with her father, a preacher (Jeff Daniels) whose wife abandoned the family seven years earlier. The movie stars Annasophia Robb, who will be seen next month as Violet in Tim Burton’s remake of “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” this one bearing the title of Roald Dahl’s book, “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” Grade: B+ For ages 14-18 The Wool Cap Paramount; PG-13; 90 minutes $15 Available June 14 Originally aired last year on Turner Network Television, this poignant yet dour drama follows the story of an unlikely pair who come together to overcome their demons. William H. Macy is excellent (when is he not?) as Gigot, a mute white building superintendent who is tortured by his past, but finds new life when he befriends a bright young African-American girl (newcomer Keke Palmer) who is abandoned by her mother. The creative team doesn’t hit a home run as it did with the Emmy-winning “Door to Door” of 2002, but sensitive and caring teens should find this as a heart-warming story of redemption and love. Don Rickles, Catherine O’Hara and Ned Beatty also star. Grade: B ­ By David Dickstein Editor’s Pick For ages 2-6 Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood Adventures in Friendship Anchor Bay; G; 58 minutes $16.98 Now available The late Mister Rogers, America’s favorite neighbor, has released the above title, as well as “A Day at the Circus,” to welcome the gentle soul into your home. This first-ever release of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood is filled with games, activities and bonus features such as a sing-along to “You are Special.” “Adventures in Friendship includes two episodes defining friends and love. Mister Rogers may be gone, but not his message of self-esteem and being a good person. Both shows also are on video ($12.98). Grade: A ­ By Craig Reem

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