Harold & The Purple Crayon – Let Your
Imagination Soar! + New Worlds To Explore!
Picture:
C+ Sound: C+ Extras: D Episodes: B
The
director Spike Jonze at one point intended to direct a feature film version of
Crockett Johnson’s Harold & The Purple
Crayon. Unfortunately, the often
creative writer/director and we never saw that happen as the project fell
through with no sign of revival.
Fortunately, an animated TV series version (as shown on HBO) has been
moving along as the title character finds any fantasy world he wants to go to
only a drawing away.
New Worlds To Explore! offers the pilot show plus six
more shows, while Let Your Imagination
Soar! has six additional shows, adding up to a lucky 13. Essentially a silent program with music and
voice over narration by a third party describing Harold’s adventures, the show
is constantly smart, charming, effective and loaded with a variety of unlimited
possibilities that are some of the healthiest of young children’s programming
since cable TV arrived. Now on DVD, it
is freed from pay TV for many more children of all ages to enjoy.
The 1.33
X 1 image is colorful, pleasant and despite the simple animation, you can see
some definition limits in the transfer.
No problem, though, as it is minor.
The Dolby Digital 2.0 Stereo has no surrounds, but is nicely recorded
and has surprisingly warm and effective narration by Sharon Stone. There are no extras, but is fine children’s
programming and this heart & soul show is definitely recommended.
- Nicholas Sheffo
