I guess this makes me a grouch, or just a childless 20-something, but this release of “the classic series” Babar didn’t get me into the holiday spirit. It’s a cheap ploy to claim the DVD (clocking in a little over an hour) features “two bonus episodes” when Babar & Father Christmas is a 24 minute special that bares unintentional comparisons to House of Saddam. Jean and Laurent de Brunhoff’s children books are, I assume, faithfully depicted here as head elephant and king of Elephantland Babar and his family learn valuable life lessons about the joy of Christmas, gift-giving and more. Unfortunately, the episodes haven’t aged entirely well – nevermind the less-than-true claim of a “digitally restored and remastered” series – and between a sluggish pace and intermittent laughs, it’s a slouch through the trio presented here - "Babar & Father Christmas," "A Child in the Snow," and "The Gift."
It’s good fun to watch elephants dressed like the Tenenbaums and their whimsical adventures, but once the novelty wears off two minutes in, you’re left with a mild disappointment. For the over-caffeinated, inattentive youth (and myself, the impossibly patient, erudite critic), it’s a meager meal that feels like an aging novelty, not a beloved children’s series. Harsh, I know, and you are welcome to disagree but dammit, I grew up on Animaniacs and Darkwing Duck (this intro alone will shock your eyeballs). Babar and his ilk are well-meaning, not easily angered creatures whose blandness is impossible to hide.
As I’ve said, the video quality (presented in 4:3, preserving the original format) is lacking but serviceable, while the 2.0 mix does it’s job. What’s bugging me is the lack of subtitles, considering these DVDs are aimed at children – I could see this show bettering a child’s English and his general manners – but not without text on the bottom of the screen, especially when thick, overdone accents intrude.
Also, there are French rats who wear berets. Yes.
DVD Bonus Features
It melted my ice-cold heart a bit to crack open the case and find a coloring book staring back at me. Still, that’s it – that’s all you get, kiddos.
"Babar and Father Christmas" is on sale November 8, 2011 and is not rated. Adventure, Children & Family, Comedy. Directed by Gerry Capelle. Written by Based on the book by Jean de Brunhoff, written by Gerry Capelle, Laurent de Brunhoff, Merilyn Read. Starring Laurent De Brunhoff, Jim Bradford, Louise Villeneuve, Rick Jones, Les Lye.
