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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.
Elmo's World-Happy Holidays! (2002)

Elmo's World-Happy Holidays! (2002)

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Released 7-Oct-2004

Cover Art

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Details At A Glance

General Extras
Category Childrens None
Rating Rated G
Year Of Production 2002
Running Time 53:57 (Case: 60)
RSDL / Flipper No/No Cast & Crew
Start Up Ads Then Menu
Region Coding 4 Directed By Ken Diego
Studio
Distributor

Roadshow Home Entertainment
Starring Kevin Clash
Kelly Ripa
Case Amaray-Transparent-Secure Clip
RPI $19.95 Music Mike Renzi


Video Audio
Pan & Scan/Full Frame Full Frame English Dolby Digital 2.0 (192Kb/s)
Widescreen Aspect Ratio 1.29:1
16x9 Enhancement No
Video Format 576i (PAL)
Original Aspect Ratio 1.29:1 Miscellaneous
Jacket Pictures No
Subtitles None Smoking No
Annoying Product Placement No
Action In or After Credits Yes

NOTE: The Profanity Filter is ON. Turn it off here.

Plot Synopsis

    If you've ever needed an educational tool for kids that helps explain the various religious leanings behind Christmas without turning into a recruitment sermon, this fun DVD is ideal. The popular Sesame Street character Elmo is left perplexed by the decision of what gift to buy his pet fish, Dorothy, for Christmas, which leads to him wondering how, and more importantly why we celebrate the festive season the way we do. After exploring the Christian meaning of Christmas, Elmo learns about the Jewish Chanukah and African Kwanzaa, making a specific point of highlighting the similarities that tie the different celebrations together.

    The entire program is tasteful from beginning to end and could never offend anyone of a sane mind. There is absolutely no mention of "God" to be found, which also pleased me greatly. My household doesn't actively practice any religion, but we do celebrate Christmas, and I can see this DVD could be quite useful one day in the future if the little ones ask "why?". This is a great learning concept that avoids preachy talk and focuses on the positive similarities between these common religions. It is certainly worth a look for parents as well as kids of pre-school age and up.

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Transfer Quality

Video

    The video transfer of this DVD is presented in an aspect of 1.33:1 full frame, as it was obviously made for television.

    The entire presentation is sharp, bright and colourful, with no dark or shadowy scenes to speak of. The feature is primarily live action, but is broken up by a few short animated pieces as well. There is no low level noise to be concerned about.

    Colours are generally good and bold throughout. The live action scenes contain solid colouring with no bleeding.

    I didn't note any film or MPEG compression artefacts in the transfer.

    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

    The only audio option is an English Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo soundtrack.

    The character voices are always easy to understand and don't present any enunciation or sync issues whatsoever.

     There are many examples of stereo panning throughout the soundtrack, particularly within the lively music.

    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

    None.

R4 vs R1

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

    This title appears to be identical in content across the globe.

Summary

    Happy Holidays is a worthwhile outing from Elmo, especially ideal for kids who are curious about the origins of Christmas. The subject matter is presented tastefully and simply, with no preachy waffle at all. Any young Elmo fan should love it!

    The video transfer is good for a recent television production.

    The audio transfer is perfectly acceptable.

    There are no extras.

Ratings (out of 5)

Video
Audio
Extras
Plot
Overall

© Rob Giles (readen de bio, bork, bork, bork.)
Saturday, October 23, 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.

Other Reviews NONE