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PLEASE NOTE: Michael D's is currently in READ ONLY MODE. Anything submitted will simply not be written to the database.
Lots of stuff is still broken, but at least reviews can now be looked up and read.
Clifford the Big Red Dog-Here Comes Clifford (2000)

Clifford the Big Red Dog-Here Comes Clifford (2000)

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Released 9-Jul-2003

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Childrens Menu Audio
Additional Footage-Big Ideas: 3 Clips
Additional Footage-Speckle's Storytime
Rating Rated G
Year Of Production 2000
Running Time 103:02
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By John Over
Studio
Distributor
Scholastic
Warner Home Video
Starring John Ritter
Grey DeLisle
Cree Summer
Kel Mitchell
Cam Clarke
Case Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI $24.95 Music Josh Mancell
Mark Mothersbaugh
Barry Caldwell


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Full Frame English Dolby Digital 2.0 (320Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio None
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.33:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits No

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Plot Synopsis

    Norman Bridwell's series of classic children's books comes to life in this animated series from publisher Scholastic. Clifford and his owner Emily live on the island of Birdwell, along with his friends T-Bone and Cleo. Their exciting adventures help youngsters to understand the importance of friendship and teamwork. Between each episode is a short one minute piece that gives kids a short message, be it sharing or the joys of reading.

    1. Clifford's Carnival (11:00) - Clifford helps Emily and her friends prepare for a carnival, but working as a team proves to be a challenge. When her boss gives her a job and tells her to stop delegating work, Jenna learns the importance of teamwork.

    2. Clifford's Doggy Reunion (11:00) - Clifford's old pal Rex visits Birdwell Island but doesn't realise how much his friend has grown since their last meeting. Rex soon realises that some of their old games aren't possible now that Clifford has grown so big. Emily also learns what it means to be a good host.

    3. The Great Race (11:00) - T-Bone is challenged to a race by Mac, a dog who takes pleasure in cheating. When the race is over Mac has a change of heart and concedes victory to T-Bone, who is most surprised.

    4. Tummy Trouble (11:00) - Clifford is left home alone and comes across his favourite biscuits, making a pig of himself. The dogs learn that too much of a good thing can be painful.

    5. Cleo Comes to Town (11:00) - T-Bone and Clifford reminisce about their first meeting with Cleo, which was confusing for T-Bone. This is a very simple explanation of jealousy, and should prove worthwhile for kids.

    6. False Friends (11:00) - Clifford and T-Bone become concerned when a new dog begins paying lots of attention to Cleo because of her new toy.

    7. Big Hearted T-Bone (11:00) - Cleo has a tiresome time looking after her small niece who seems to have boundless energy. I can relate! T-Bone steps in and offers to give her a break, only to regret it afterwards.

    8. Cleo's Valentine Surprise (11:00) - Cleo collects some special biscuits as a Valentine's day present for Clifford and T-Bone, with the help of her three legged friend K.C.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    This video transfer is presented in 1.33:1, full frame.

    The quality of the animation is quite good and comes across with a great degree of detail. Some jagged edges appear now and then, coupled with some mild interlacing issues, betraying the NTSC source. The colour palette is bright and bold at all times, with no visible bleeding or oversaturation. Low level noise is absent.

    Compression artefacts are nowhere to be found in this transfer, and although a little grain can be seen on occasions it is barely noticeable.

    Contrary to the cover slick, there are no subtitles on this single layered disc.

Video Ratings Summary
Sharpness
Shadow Detail
Colour
Grain/Pixelization
Film-To-Video Artefacts
Film Artefacts
Overall

Audio

    There is only one audio track included on the disc, an English Dolby Digital stereo track encoded at 320Kb/s.

    The mouth movements roughly follow the dialogue that is heard, and don't present any considerable synchronisation problems.

    The soundtrack isn't particularly lively, but does a decent job all round. There are no dropouts or moments of distortion to be concerned about.

    The soundtrack music is entirely electronic but succeeds in bringing across the playful nature of the show with ease.

    There was obviously no surround activity or subwoofer response in this soundtrack.

Audio Ratings Summary
Dialogue
Audio Sync
Clicks/Pops/Dropouts
Surround Channel Use
Subwoofer
Overall

Extras

Menu

    The main menu is static and is accompanied by an audio clip of the show's theme. Selecting the play all function on the main menu will play all the episodes in sequence, along with a short one minute story after each episode and credits after every second episode. If you select play all from the scene selection menu only the episodes themselves are played. The feature begins playback automatically after the menu is idle for one minute.

Big Ideas (4)

    These four short one minute pieces are included in the feature if you select play all from the main menu.

Speckle's Storytime (4)

    These stories run for ninety seconds each and are included in the feature if the viewer selects play all from the main menu.

R4 vs R1

NOTE: To view non-R4 releases, your equipment needs to be multi-zone compatible and usually also NTSC compatible.

    This compilation only appears to be available in Region 4.

Summary

    Here Comes Clifford is a good collection of tales from this renowned children's character. The animation is of a great standard and the interesting stories are worthwhile viewing for kids.

    The video transfer is colourful and sharp.

    The audio transfer is acceptable.

    A couple of little extras are included, but they appear in the feature anyway.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Rob Giles (readen de bio, bork, bork, bork.)
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Review Equipment
DVDPioneer DV-525, using Component output
DisplayPanasonic TX76PW10A 76cm Widescreen 100Hz. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials. This display device is 16x9 capable.
Audio DecoderBuilt in to amplifier/receiver. Calibrated with Video Essentials/Digital Video Essentials.
AmplificationDenon AVR-2802 Dolby EX/DTS ES Discrete
SpeakersOrpheus Aurora lll Mains (bi-wired), Rears, Centre Rear. Orpheus Centaurus .5 Front Centre. Mirage 10 inch sub.

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