DVD Review: Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur

Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Sofie Zamchick, Teala Dunn, Danica Lee
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Nickelodeon
Release Date: February 12, 2008

It’s time for another review of those adorable little Wonder Pets. Kassidy did the LI Kids review of Wonder Pets – Save the Reindeer, which she gave a glowing review. Now, it’s my turn to do a review of the latest Wonder Pets DVD release, Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur.

I just have to say, I love the Wonder Pets. I would watch them without my three year old nephew, Little B. He really gets into the show though, too. This is one of the cutest shows for kids I’ve ever seen and I can’t understand the parents who say they don’t like the Wonder Pets. I think they’re darling.

Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur is the first chance I’ve had to see this popular Nick Jr. series. Believe me when I say I’m willing to check it out again. All of those annoying things I find I dislike about children’s programming are absent from the Wonder Pets. The Wonder Pets aren’t mindless blobs that baby talk. There is actually something that can be learned each episode from how to use teamwork to why you should always eat your celery.

Release Information:
Wonder Pets first aired on Nick Jr. in March of 2006. It also plays on the television station, Noggin. Since most children’s shows do not seem to have typical airing schedules, this series has one very long, extended first season. There are some episodes that have aired in 2006, with a large gap before more aired in September of 2007. The episodes on Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur seem to run the gamut, with one episode airing as the first ever, one airing in the middle and two running near the end of the first season.

Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur is 97 minutes of fun. Released through Nickelodeon and Paramount Home Video distribution, Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur is going to be available on February 12, 2008. You can order your own DVD through Amazon, where a copy of this DVD is $14.99.

The Plot
Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur has four episodes on it. Each episode follows the same formula every other episode of Wonder Pets seems to follow.

The children leave school. You might hear their voices telling Tuck the Turtle, Linny the Hamster, or Ming-Ming the Duckling goodbye. Once the classroom is empty, the Wonder Pets phone rings (it’s a tin can/string type of phone). They start singing, “The phone, the phone is ringing…”

Set to classical music, the Wonder Pets announce an animal is in trouble. After Tuck leaves his watery enclosure, having put on his white sailor cap and red cape, Ming-Ming leaves her cage, having put on her pilot’s hat, green cape and goggles, and Linny’s left her cage, having put on her yellow (construction style) hat and blue cape, the three answer the phone. A baby animal is in trouble!

The Wonder Pets travel in their Flyboat, a flying sailboat made up of toys found in their classroom. They fly to wherever they need to go. Sometimes they travel outside. Other times, like in Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur, they travel into a prehistoric picture. As they travel along they sing their famed “Wonder Pets, Wonder Pets” song. Most of the dialogue for this show is actually sung making this similar to a child-friendly operetta.

No matter what the situation is, the Wonder Pets can help. Using teamwork, they help the baby animal get out of trouble. Afterwards, their momma or dad thanks the Wonder Pets for helping his/her baby. To celebrate, the Wonder Pets split some celery. Once their “work is done”, they head back to their classroom and return to their cages.

The episodes included on the Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur DVD are:

“Save the Dinosaur”/”Save the Pigeon”
“Save the Dragon”/”Save the Beaver”
“Save the Bee”/”Save the Squirrel”
“Save the Dolphin”/”Save the Chimp”

These episodes are cute, educational, and kids seem to really love the Wonder Pets. Honestly, I don’t see why parents complain. If their kids love these adorable little cartoon characters, then why shouldn’t they be happy for their kids?

Storyline/Plot:
Replayability:
Acting:
Directing:

Audio/Visual:
Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur has a great visual style. It looks kind of like a mix-mash of magazine photos and animation. Because it is supposed to be that way, I don’t hold issue with the primitive look of the cartoon characters. This DVD is in full frames. It is transferred at an aspect ratio of 1.33:1. The picture is clear and there seems to be no visible errors in the way of the visual transfer. Overall, the quality is decent.

The Dolby Digital Stereo sound comes through loud and clear. Your kids will be able to listen and sing along easily with the soundtrack. No volume adjustments were needed. The sound didn’t skip. It was great!

Visual:
Audio:

Bonus Features:
There are no extras available on the Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur DVD. This is typical for nearly all of the DVD titles that are released by Nickelodeon. There are previews for DVDs released concerning other Nick Jr. shows. This includes Dora the Explorer, the Backyardigans, Go Diego, Go! and other titles for the Wonder Pets.

Bonus Features:

Bottom Line:
Whether or not this DVD has bonuses, Wonder Pets – Save the Dinosaur is absolutely adorable. I loved watching this with Little B. If you have a toddler or preschooler you absolutely need to let them watch the Wonder Pets. This DVD has episodes that follow the same path all of the other episodes follow. Still, this is a show that is going to teach your kids about teamwork, sharing, and helping others. I don’t know what better message there is on television.

Overall Rating:

Technorati Tags: Wonder Pets, Save the Dinosaur, Save the Pigeon, Save the Dragon, Bee, Beaver, Dolphin, Chimp, Squirrel, Nick Jr., DVD Review

Written by Ashtyn Evans - Visit Website
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Ashtyn is in her early 30s. She is a mother, writer, college student, and music lover. Ashtyn has had a successful career as a writer since 2003. She turned to blogging in 2005. Ashtyn attends Wright State where she is getting a degree in Psychology. She has extensive knowledge in SEO and Social Media Development.