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The Trumpet of the Swan

The Trumpet of the Swan

List Price: $9.95
Your Price: $9.95
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Fabulous animation and music
Review: This animated delight is really a treat to watch. It's true to the original story and addresses social and emotional complexities of both wildlife and humans. The theatrical wing-tossing, web-footed pace keeps you on your flippers. The humor is only outdone by the soundtrack. Our kids listened, tapped their toes, and got up and danced at the front of the theater. They loved how the son, Louie tried to get his father's honor back. And, the swan father was a big hit with his funny speeches that no one wanted to listen to.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Absolutly HORRIBLE!
Review: This video is an a poor representation of even the SPIRIT of the book, and a total (...) job by everyone involved. Shoddy production, top to bottom, with poor vocal casting, poor storytelling skills, complete lack of character, awful animation, and ugly color. Oh--and where were the directors? The worst thing about this film is that it talks down to kids--all while boring adults like myself. AVOID at all costs.

Rating: 1 stars
Summary: Absolutly HORRIBLE!
Review: This video is an a poor representation of even the SPIRIT of the book, and a total [bad] job by everyone involved. Shoddy production, top to bottom, with poor vocal casting, poor storytelling skills, complete lack of character, awful animation, and ugly color. Oh--and where were the directors? The worst thing about this film is that it talks down to kids--all while boring adults like myself. AVOID at all costs.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Great For Young Kids
Review: This was a very entertaining movie ... Both my 4 and 6 year old girls really enjoyed it. My 6 year old often gets scared during several parts of movies (particularly disney movies which typically have a villian) but did not get scared in this movie. I stayed awake the whole time too ;-).

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: My 3-year-old LOVES Trumpet of the Swan! Great for Kids!
Review: Trumpet of the Swan is obviously a film made for children, but one that adults can enjoy too...which is VERY important if your children are like mine and watch their new video DAILY for the first week! I must add that I think it's unfair to hold this movie up to Disney standards as some reviewers seem to be doing. This is NOT a Disney film, which costs about $10 more, and I find it is every bit as good or better than anything else in the childrens home video department.

I've never read the book, so I can't speak to how well it follows the original story (but does anything from Hollywood EVER follow the original book?) And I concede the animation does not meet the highest standards. (There's a pretty obvious flaw in Louie's big trumpet performance.)

But on to the positives...

While the animation isn't the best quality, the color is bright and beautiful! And the vocal talent is terrific! The cast of voices includes Jason Alexander (Father), Mary Steenburgen (Mother), Seth Green (Boyd), Reese Witherspoon (Serena), Carol Burnett and Joe Mantegna. Each actor injects life and personality into their character. I especially liked Mary Steenburgen's "mother" and Jason's "father" is very entertaining. My daughter thinks the camp leader who mumbles through the megaphone is funny--I found him annoying at first but I got the joke when I saw the campfire scene.

And as a music lover I must mention the film's music. Louie's "trumpet voice" is performed by Michael "Patches" Stewart, and the music score is by Marcus Miller. I find myself humming the tunes at work and my 3 year-old is already starting to sing along with the words!

Bottom line...small children will love Trumpet of the Swan!


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