Tortoise vs. Hare (Henson/Genius/Weinstein DVD)
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C Main Program: C
In a
silly, CG animated work, Tortoise vs.
Hare (2008) is another Shrek-like
send-up of old fairy tales with an imagined TV network coverage of the famous
mythical race gone nuts. Amusing and
even nicely thought out as it is, it never gains much traction, cannot come up
with new jokes that work that the likes of old Looney Tunes/Merrie Melodies or
even Bee Movie already aced and is
mildly amusing at best.
Danny
Glover, Jay Leno and Vivica A. Fox are among those lending their voices to this
effort, but unless you have very young children, this will wear thin quickly
for all viewers.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 is dated CG on arrival and though fine for TV,
just cannot compete with the Pixar or DreamWorks product that is with us in
decent numbers now. Color is dull and
softness is prevalent beyond the style.
The Dolby Digital 5.1 mix is also on the lite side, with limited
soundfield. Extras include a look at the
next Unstable Fable release (which this is, despite not being noted as such on
the box,) drawing featurette and making of featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
