New on DVD

CAROLINE: New on DVD this week is a direct to DVD, feature length film from Disney called "Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure." Since it's animated, you know I had little interest but can I predict you liked it?

RYAN: Yes. In fact, I saw the first one too.

CAROLINE: Oh, this was a sequel?

RYAN: Yes and I actually liked this one more than the first one.

CAROLINE: Why's that?

RYAN: It's a better story.

CAROLINE: That helps. Anyone famous in it?

RYAN: Yes. Anjelica Huston plays, like, the queen fairy and Lucy Liu and Kristin Chenoweth each voice one of Tink's friends; except Kristin only had three lines. Frown.

CAROLINE: I know you love her.

RYAN: The animation is wonderful and although it's geared toward a younger crowd, for those of us still young at heart, it's a really cute film. I was pretty into it. I remember watching the first one only loosely but this one holds your attention.

CAROLINE: Leave it to Disney to take a minor character from a classic film and delve into a new franchise.

RYAN: They've created a whole world - Pixie Hollow within Neverland. And there's plenty of merchandising tie-ins. One of the fabulous things that Disney's doing with their new DVDs is when you buy the DVD, it comes bundled with the Blu-Ray DVD too. So even if you don't have a Blu-Ray player yet, they're helping you start your collection.

CAROLINE: That's clever.

RYAN: I wish every DVD came with a complimentary Blu-Ray. There are some cute deleted scenes and fun outtakes that they made. It's also cool to see Tink get a makeover. She starts off looking the same but when the adventure takes off, she's more properly clothed - long sleeves, pants, etc...

CAROLINE: Is that really worth commenting on?

RYAN: Well there's been buzz about it. Instead of always sexing up characters for children, Tinker Bell dresses season-appropriate.

CAROLINE: [laughs] Ok. That's very progressive of her.

RYAN: It's not a musical - which may have made the difference between the direct to DVD release versus theatrical, but it's super sweet - for any Disney or animation fan.

CAROLINE: I'll take your word for it.