Charlie & Lola: Three – My Little Town &
More Stories
(BBC/Animation/Children)
Picture: C+ Sound: C+ Extras: C- Episodes: C+
Though I
had never seen Charlie & Lola
before, the BBC-produced animated show has become a favorite on Disney-owned channels
where U.S. viewers can appreciate some solid child-safe entertainment from
across the ocean. The characters
discover that their simple construction and craft items (markers, crayons) can
take them to other worlds and BBC has issued its third DVD volume in the U.S.
subtitled My Little Town & More
Stories.
This
includes six installments that run about 72 minutes and though they are rather
short, they do get to the point and keep the young minds intelligently
stimulated for a change. The drawings of
the characters and worlds look like a child might have drawn them, making
identification and empowerment easier for young viewers. It is worth a look if you have children.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.78 X 1 image can be impressive at times, but is just
too soft at the edges too often to rate higher, while the Dolby Digital 2.0
Stereo has no surrounds though it is clean and clear. Except for a child’s interactive game, brief
outtakes and some small hidden features, extras are limited.
- Nicholas Sheffo
