Courtesy: eOne/Nelvana
eOne and Nelvana recently released the first compilation of episodes from Disney Jr.’s children’s series Babar and the Adventures of Badou. Gone Wild is the first compilation of episodes from Disney Jr.’s continuation of the classic Babar animated series. And as a first impression, this collection of episodes is a good first impression for those that might perhaps have not even known about this series. The primary reason that it is such a good first impression is the writing of the included episodes. Another reason that audiences will appreciate this new DVD is the lessons taught in each of the episodes, which ties directly in to the episodes’ writing. And last to consider in the overall success of these episodes is their “animation” style. All three factors put alongside one another reveal why both children and their parents will appreciate this latest incarnation of the classic Babar franchise even if they don’t get Disney Junior on their channel lineup.
The primary reason that audiences of all ages will appreciate Babar and the Adventures of Badou: Gone Wild is the writing incorporated into each of the collection’s eight episodes. Anyone that has any knowledge of the original Babar series will recall that in the original Babar series, that series’ episodes would consist mainly of stories told by Babar to his children. They would be in reference to his own childhood. In the case of this latest series, which originally aired in 2010 on YTV in Canada and on ABC2 in Australia, Babar is there. But he generally takes a back seat to his 8-year old grandson Badou. From time to time, the now much older Babar would offer some insight to Badou. So the show’s creators made sure to not completely stray from the original source material for this series. Older audiences will appreciate this factor. Younger audiences will appreciate the fact that the series focuses more on younger figures whereas the younger figures in the original Babar series were merely part of recollections told by Babar. That balance of the old and new alongside Badou’s own family friendly adventures in the kingdom of Celesteville with his friends shows just how much care the show’s writers took with the series despite its short run. That result is eight solid episodes whose writing is reason enough by itself to check out this new DVD.
The writing by itself serves as plenty of reason for families to check out this new DVD from eOne and Nelvana. It pays homage to the original Babar franchise while also advancing the story without losing anything in the process. On a similar note, parents and children alike will appreciate that some of the episodes in this compilation also include invaluable life lessons. One example of those lessons comes in the episode “Copy Cat.” Young zebra Zawadi learns an important lesson about accepting one’s own self for who one is, rather than trying to change one’s own self just to be different from the masses. On a similar note, “Monkey Camp” teaches young viewers about the differences between people and how those differences make everybody special in their own way. One last example of those lessons comes in the DVD’s second episode, “Operation Secret Suitcase.” This episode deals with a very common issue among younger viewers. It deals with the issue of children losing friends due to moving away. It’s definitely something to which audiences of all ages can relate. It also teaches young viewers about jumping to conclusions without all the information on a given subject within the course of the episode. So, that one is actually a dual hit.
The writing and the themes tied into said writing for the episodes included on this disc are both key factors to its overall enjoyment. Together, they prove the episodes presented here to have a certain amount of heart and substance. There is still one factor left to examine in the overall enjoyment and success of Babar and the Adventures of Badou: Gone Wild. That final factor is the show’s “animation.” Given, each episode is computer generated rather than hand drawn. That is the trend in the current era of animation. In the case of this series though, the computer generated graphics actually stand out if only a little bit from all of the cookie cutter CG-based children’s shows currently filling the television spectrum. The closest comparisons that can be made here are perhaps to the graphics used in The Garfield Show and Jungle Junction, which is another show currently on Disney Junior’s schedule . And that is being generous. That is not meant in a negative connotation, either. It is simply nice to see that while this incarnation of Babar has long since ended its short run, it is one of few shows out there for kids today that has at least some individuality and originality in its “animation” style. Together with the themes incorporated into each episode’s script and the writing itself, the show’s graphics are collectively the final piece in the overall presentation of the DVD that makes it worth a watch by viewers of any age.
Babar and the Adventures of Badou: Gone Wild is available now in stores and online. It can be ordered via Amazon at http://www.amazon.com/Babar-Adventures-Badou-Gone-Wild/dp/B00K2OBZZ8/ref=sr_1_2?s=movies-tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1407546469&sr=1-2&keywords=babar+and+the+adventures+of+badou+-+gone+wild. To keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news, go online to http://www.facebook.com/philspicks and “Like” it. Fans can always keep up with the latest sports and entertainment reviews and news in the Phil’s Picks blog at https://philspicks.wordpress.com.
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