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Johnny and the Sprites - documentary DVD / family DVD review
JOHNNY AND THE SPRITES -
MEET THE SPRITES
Rated G by the Motion Picture Association of America curledupdvd.com rating: 4 stars
Actors: John Tartaglia, Heather Asch, Leslie Carrara, Tim Lagasse
  Studio: Walt Disney Video
DVD release: 18 March 2008   Runtime: 56 min. (1 disc)
Format: Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
DVD features: Audio tracks (Dolby Digital 2.0 Surround - English), Subtitles (English), Episodes (Ginger's Antenna Dilemma - Root's Dadoots - Where's the Water, Lily? - Basil's Band - The Sprites & the What?!), "Heads Up" Music Video, Music Time: Sing Along With Johnny and the Sprites, Original Shorts (Who's on First? - Laugh, Basil, Laugh - Leave a Little Lettuce - Yes You Can! - Waiting for the Stars)

Until a year or so ago, viewers of the Disney Channel could only see Johnny and the Sprites as short vignettes played between shows. These were so popular that Disney developed it into a full series, now in its second season. This is the first DVD featuring Johnny and his fanciful friends that only he can see.

Broadway veteran John Tartaglia (Avenue Q, Beauty and the Beast) plays Johnny, and the enchanted woods of Grotto's Grove (a place reached through a portal in Johnny's yard) is home to the Sprites: Basil, Lily, Ginger, and little Root. Each episode features a lesson that involves problem solving-such as friendship and not making fun of others, among other themes. What makes Johnny and the Sprites stand out as a series is the music. Along with the five episodes on the disc, there's a music video for a song called "Head's Up," which is written by Gary Adler of Altar Boyz fame, and the theme song for the show was written by Stephen Schwartz.

The bonus features are fun, because there's a karaoke feature so viewers can sing along with the characters. The original shorts that inspired the series are included; these are often difficult to find on the Disney Channel currently, so it's great to watch them again. The episodes on Johnny and the Sprites: Meet the Sprites are from the first season; there is no new content that has not been shown on television before.

The show is definitely geared toward preschoolers, but the high quality of the music and the talent will appeal to adults as well. Although my children (ages 7 and 9) will occasionally watch the show on the Disney Channel, they are a little old for an entire disc to capture their interest. Overall, this is enjoyable to view, and a must-purchase for those who are fans of the television show.
 
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reviewed by Melissa Parcel
   
         
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