children's video & dvd review

blue's big musical movie 

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Product Overview
Blue's first movie is here, complete with all the charm and learning that makes the television series outstanding, and then some. Blue, the adorable animated pooch, along with her live-action companion Steve and the charming cast of animated friends, star in this musical adventure. Blue's Clues is a seemingly simple series, but dig a little deeper and you'll discover some wonderfully rich and educationally powerful messages.

While Blue's feature-film debut follows basically the same tried-and-true format of the television series, it contains longer (mostly musical) interludes and plenty of mini-stories and adventures along the way. An all-new character, Periwinkle the cat, makes his debut as well, and kids will fall in love with his well-meaning, determined nature. For those unfamiliar with this outstanding series, here is the basic format: Steve, with his childlike charm, invites young viewers to find his spotted dog Blue and, later, Blue's pawprints on a search for 3 clues that will help solve the mystery of the day! Equipped with his "handy dandy notebook" and help from a myriad of objects-come-to-life (such as Slippery Soap, Mr. Salt and Mrs. Pepper, and Mailbox), Steve ends his quest for clues on the Thinking Chair, asking the audience for help solving the mystery at hand.

The opening scene of Blue's Big Musical Movie seems no different than any other Blue's Clues show, except for the addition of Periwinkle playing on the lawn of Steve's colorful house. Steve has overslept, and when he finally awakens, he is nervous because he remembers that today is THE day of the show of show of shows – The Big Music Show! There's so much to do to get ready for the show, but the always-sensible Steve decides to make a list to help organize what needs to be done. There's breakfast to prepare, costumes to make, a stage to build... and the list just keeps growing. To top it all off, Blue's partner for the duet, Tickety Clock, has come down with laryngitis. Though she'll still be able to ring her bells in the show, Blue is in a tough position. This dilemma leads to the show's trademark hunt for 3 pawprint-marked clues to find who will be Blue's duet partner.

Early in the program, viewers learn that Side-Table Drawer really wants to sing in the show, but is simply too shy to let anyone know. She even blushes when she tries to tell Steve, but cannot quite muster up the courage to let him know of her burning desire. An interesting twist is created — this time around, preschoolers can easily discern the answer to this particular Blue's Clues problem even before the first clue is discovered, offering them a unique opportunity to exercise insight and develop sympathy and understanding. How clever!

Have you ever noticed that the generally "clueless" Steve never gets to find clues all by himself? Well, for the first time ever, Steve "clues in" to this fact, and becomes a little disheartened about it. An encouraging song in which the cast belt out the valuable message, "Don't give up, just go on", helps Steve persevere through the rest of the clue hunt.

We meet a new character through this adventure — G-Clef, whose voice-over talent is the unmistakable Ray Charles. This animated musical symbol teaches Steve (and viewers) not only about tempo and rhythm, but also the need to "reach down deep inside" to give his songs heart and "soul". It is a delight to watch Steve trying to do just that, gradually learning how to give it his all.

One of the many outstanding features of the Blue's Clues series is that it never shies away from the range of emotions that are so much a part of children's lives, and it always provides ways of solving everyday dilemmas. Empowering kids with confidence that, with a little effort and logical thinking, all problems have a solution, Blue's Clues has broken ground. Its clever format turns a medium that has almost consistently favored passivity into an experience in which children actively participate. With its careful and thoughtful design, young viewers are given the chance to draw their own conclusions. Its employment of list-making and reasonable thinking helps bring just the right comforting dose of order into preschoolers' lives, without ever undermining the value of self-expression and individuality.

Mini-stories are weaved throughout the movie – children not only learn new musical vocabulary (the meanings of words like duet, tempo, and rhythm), but they also learn about sympathy, awareness of others, confidence, and cooperation. From Side-Table Drawer's sad lyrical lament "I'm not just a drawer, a fact that's ignored" to the theme song's positive lyrics "If we use our minds, take a step at a time, we can do anything that we wanna do", this is one musical extravaganza you won't want to miss.

This video runs for approximately 78 minutes. The graphics are fresh and bright, as always, with a seamless and fun combination of animation and live-action.

You may be interested in the following reviews of Blue's Clues software:

• Blue's Treasure Hunt
• Blue's 123 Time Activities
• Blue's ABC Time Activities
• Blue's Reading Time Activities
• Blue's Art Time Activities

Dollar Value
For VHS, the suggested retail price is $19.95 US, and a DVD version is available as well.

 

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