Three years after their introduction, the Little Einsteins just keep on keeping on. Devised as a logical follow-up to the short-term enrichment debatably offered by the infant series Baby Einstein, the Little Einsteins have become as regular a visitor to Disney's DVD schedule as anything else in the House of Mouse. One of the big differences between Baby Einstein and Little Einsteins is that the former was primarily a series of videos/DVDs and the latter is a television show aired every morning as part of the Disney Channel's profitable preschooler-oriented Playhouse Disney block. That should make "Little Einsteins" DVD compilations seem a lot less special, but that hasn't quite been the case as the franchise has sold nearly 3 million DVDs to date. Maybe it's the 7:00 AM timeslot or the fact that much of the target audience hasn't quite mastered using the DVR, but families continue to pay $14.99 for 70 minutes of what likely beams into their televisions daily. Reaching stores in early August, Flight of the Instrument Fairies is the seventh Little Einsteins DVD issued. It one-ups the previous six by including four standard-length episodes instead of three (or the equivalent). The first of the four episodes, which lends its title to the volume, is also noteworthy for not having yet aired. From all the "Little Einsteins" I've been exposed to (and that's enough to get me through this life), the show doesn't appear to have highs or lows. It is consistent and very adherent to its principles. Many, however, will find the bright colors and soothing sounds alluring enough to invest in. If it was at all in the cards for these children to grow into the few for whom television is an occasional diversion and not a way of life, getting them hooked to the tube in the show's intended age group may just alter their destinies. But far be it for me, someone who has made an occupation out of viewing, to pass judgment on the pastime. It's a lot easier to judge "Little Einsteins", although it's somewhat of a challenge to do so being neither a parent nor preschooler. Alas, if somehow this review marks your introduction to the spin-off empire, here's a quick rundown. The Little Einsteins are an ethnically diverse group of four little snobs and their vibraphonic pet/vehicle Rocket. Leo, June, Quincy, and Annie regularly set out on contrived missions on which perilous obstacles must be overcome. The show proceeds with a constant stream of clear exposition, slipping in the occasional unknown word slipped to expand vocabularies and cultural awareness. With the music and visuals of impenetrable, long-gone artists tapped as a theme (this disc's use of Andy Warhol is "Little Einsteins" at its edgiest), each episode gets to a point where viewers have to help get Rocket to go "super fast" by gradually advancing per classical music terms. Yes, these crudely-animated characters leave room for interaction, but it's no substitute for conversing with attentive, well-spoken humans. Each episode runs 24 minutes and 3 seconds long. "Flight of the Instrument Fairies" (Not yet aired in US) Summoned by a baby violin fairy, the Little Einsteins journey to Alaska. En route to saving the violin's fellow colorful enchanted instruments from a locked cave, "The Puppet Princess" (Originally aired March 12, 2007) The group travels to a puppet show in Prague. They're joined by a lost trio of self-sustaining puppets and encounter such obstacles as a sticky forest and a pastry factory. Though it employs the "Alfred Hitchco*ck Presents" theme music, that is where the similarities to the Master of Suspense end. "The Glass Slipper Ball" (Originally aired January 29, 2007) Rocket takes the Einsteins to a Vienna ball, where June hopes to try on a glass slipper before the clock strikes 12. On the way there, she teaches Rocket a number of helpful dances. "Little Red Rockethood" (Originally aired September 14, 2007) Rocket intends to visit his sick grandmother and bring her Rocket soup. When Big Jet steals the soup in question, the Little Einsteins have their mission: terminate Big Jet with extreme prejudice. Or just get that soup back for Grandma. VIDEO and AUDIO There are no problems with either picture or sound. The 1.33:1 fullscreen transfers employ a bright palette, but it is just as consistent in color as it is in sharpness and clarity. The Dolby Surround soundtracks are straightforward and suitable. French and Spanish dubs are included, but subtitles are only provided in English. BONUS FEATURES, MENUS and PACKAGING The only bonus feature is a set-top game called "Music Mix-Up", The FastPlay-enhanced disc opens with a Disney company promo and an onslaught of ads for Sleeping Beauty: Platinum Edition, "Handy Manny": Manny's Pet Roundup, "Mickey Mouse Clubhouse": Mickey's Storybook Surprises, "My Friends Tigger & Pooh": Hundred Acre Wood Haunt, "Little Einsteins": The Christmas Wish, and the Disney Movie Rewards program. Post-feature/menu sneak peeks preview Chinese live-action/CGI film The Secret of the Magic Gourd, "Little Einsteins": Race for Space, and "Handy Manny" on Disney Channel. Of course, the animated menus are identical to past Little Einstein discs. Surprisingly but unimportantly, no standard insert is found, at least not in my copy. There is, however, a Disney Movie Rewards code sheet and a mini-booklet which crams as much advertising for Playhouse Disney DVDs and other merchandise as its little pages allow. In contrast to the line's early volumes, the keepcase is white, not red. CLOSING THOUGHTS By this point, you should know exactly what to expect from a Little Einsteins DVD. The only surprise to Flight of the Instrument Fairies is that it holds four episodes as opposed to past compilations' three. That's a step in the right direction, but it's not enough to change how you already feel about the show and Disney's DVD releases of it. Though it's easy to see educational worth in the program, I can't find enough value in the disc to recommend it for those with Disney Channel and some kind of recorder. Still if you're going to buy only one Little Einsteins DVD, this might be your best bet by quantity.
Featured art: Ancient Roman mosaics; Featured music: Felix Mendelssohn's "Violin Concerto in E minor"
Featured art: Drawings by Leonard Da Vinci; Featured music: Charles-François Gounod's "Funeral March of a Marionette"
Featured art: Andy Warhol's "Fish"; Featured music: Johann Strauss' "The Blue Danube Waltz"
Featured art: Alexej von Jawlensky's "Landscape Near Murnau"; Featured music: Giuseppe Verdi's "Aida"
Flight of the Instrument Fairies DVD Review (2024)
References
Top Articles
Fort Frances, ON - 7 Day Forecast
D-day and the most important weather forecast in history
Unlock Tax Solutions with 1242 IRS Reference Number: Don't Miss Out!
The state of AI in early 2024: Gen AI adoption spikes and starts to generate value
Electrocardiogram (ECG or EKG) - Mayo Clinic
The Benefits of Clinical Connectivity in Your Cardiology Practice
Η Michelle Joy μπήκε στους Cannons μέσω αγγελίας
Cannons set to bring swagger to Electric Forest - Local Spins
Facility Scheduler Hca North Florida
New 2025 Jayco Granite Ridge 22T Motor Home Class C
Dr Jaime Campos Tijuana Bad Reviews
Wedgie Punishment Quiz
Latest Posts
Article information
Author: Nathanael Baumbach
Last Updated:
Views: 6011
Rating: 4.4 / 5 (55 voted)
Reviews: 86% of readers found this page helpful
Author information
Name: Nathanael Baumbach
Birthday: 1998-12-02
Address: Apt. 829 751 Glover View, West Orlando, IN 22436
Phone: +901025288581
Job: Internal IT Coordinator
Hobby: Gunsmithing, Motor sports, Flying, Skiing, Hooping, Lego building, Ice skating
Introduction: My name is Nathanael Baumbach, I am a fantastic, nice, victorious, brave, healthy, cute, glorious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.