Featured DVD Review: Strawberry Shortcake: Bright Lights, Big Dreams
March 15, 2012
Strawberry Shortcake: Double-feature - Buy from Amazon: Berry Brick Road and Bloomin' Berry Garden
The Strawberry Shortcake franchise started in the early 1980s and while its popularity has ebbed and flowed, it has has been going ever since. A couple weeks ago, there were two DVDs from the franchise released, Berry Brick Road and Bloomin' Berry Garden. The screeners arrived a little late, so without further delay, let's get to the reviews.
As the title suggests, this is an adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. It begins with Strawberry Shortcake playing Simon Says with her two pets, Custard and Pupcake, as well as Marmalade, Orange Blossom's pet butterfly, who was blown into their house by a storm. Strawberry Shortcake starts reading The Wizard of Oz to the three of them and Pupcake imagines he's Toto and Strawberry Shortcake is Dorothy. They are picking strawberries in the field when a tornado hits and Strawberry Shortcake and Pupcake are taken to the land of Oz. After crashing and sending the wicked witch to the dungeon (crushing the witch is too violent I guess), the Berrykins give Strawberry Shortcake the witch's silver slippers as a reward for freeing them. However, all she wants is a way home. The Berrykins can't help them and say the only way home is to talk to the Wizard of Oz.
Along the way, they meet Ginger Snap, who is a scarecrow without a brain; Peppermint Fizz, who is a Tin Woodsman without a heart; and Orange Blossom, who is a cowardly lion. The five of them then travel to the Emerald City to ask the Wizard of Oz for help. Before they get far, the Wicked Witch escapes from the dungeon and goes after them to retrieve her silver slippers. But the gang has the power of self-confidence and songs to help them through.
This short film is based on the 2003 revival and it has the typical bright colors and cheerful disposition these shows had. It is also rather short clocking in at just 45 minutes long. It's inexpensive, so the price-per-minute is not too much higher than other similar releases.
There are some printable coloring pages, but that's it.
This DVD has three episodes from the show.
The extras include some printable coloring pages and a music video / dancing instructions.
Both of the new Strawberry Shortcake releases, Berry Brick Road and Bloomin' Berry Garden, are bright and cheerful and should entertain fans of the show. The price-per-minute is a little high, but not so high that it isn't worth picking up.
Berry Brick Road
The Extras
Bloomin' Berry Garden
Three episodes are a little short for a TV on DVD release, even one aimed at young kids. On the other hand, the DVD is also cheaper than more TV on DVD releases, so it is close to the same price-per-minute.
The Extras
The Verdict
- Submitted by: C.S.Strowbridge
Filed under: Video Review