Wubbzy Saves the Day (2011)
May 2, 2011
written by: Bob Boyle, Eileen Brennan, Ford Riley & Frank Rocco
produced by: Bolder Media with Bob Boyle, Phil Roman, Susan Miller & Fred Siebert
directed by: Larry Hall, James Burks, Ron Crown & Steve Daye
not rated
70 min.
U.S. release date: May 3rd, 2011
It’s not easy finding movies or TV shows that parents and kids can both enjoy. As a parent, I know full well going in that I better be open to an endless cycle of repeated viewings. Knowing one must make a wise decision and determine whether or not seeing and hearing the same thing over and over again, is something you’re prepared for. I recently gambled on “Wubbzy Saves the Day” after receiving it in the mail the other day. I vaguely recalled that this fun preschool level show is on Nick Jr. and figured my 4 year-old and I would test out this new DVD. Well, it has now on heavy rotation in our household.
“Wow Wow Wubbzy” is a bright and colorful animated show consisting of four main animal characters with a whole slew of supporting players consisting of humans, animals and robots. The titular Wubbzy (voiced by Grey DeLisle) is a 6 year-old yellow-orange cat-like character who has a long bendy tail that he uses to bounce and grab. He lives in the trippy city of Wuzzleburg with his three friends. Widget (Lara Jill Miller) is a 16 year-old pink rabbit with a Southern twang, who’s good with tinkering and inventing things, Walden (Carlos Alazragui) a 14 year-old purple bear with an Australian accent and a fondness for math, science and astrology, and the 5 year-old sea green pooch, Daisy (Tara Strong), Wubbzy’s smart and loyal best friend.
Together, the carefree foursome have a wacky and fun time as they explore the world around them. Although they often get into a jam, it’s more than likely always an opportunity to learn about sharing, honesty, tolerance and friendship. Of course, they often do so in an infectious song and dance manner that will wind your child up and stick in your head for days.
“Wubbzy Saves the Day” is the latest of a series of DVDs that consist of several episodes full of fun stories and entertaining songs. The disc starts out with “Follow the Leader”, where Wubbzy must return a group of cute yellow chirpees who mistaken him for their momma. “Bye Bye Birdies” finds Wubbzy and friends enjoying an outdoors slumber party and in “Moo Moo’s Snoozity Snooze” the gang has to help a sleepy cow from casting a sleepy spell on the whole town. The rest of the disc is full of more kooky adventures like “Woozy Walden”, “The Nasty Nose” (slimy!) and “Daizy’s Favorite Place”.
There’s a certain addictive charm that can be found in the “Wow Wow Wubzy” series that can appeal to any age. At times, the characters stop and involve viewers (presumably youngsters, but I played along), asking for help in their endeavors or shouting out for them to stand up and dance. One of the best aspects of the show is that the humor isn’t whiny or mean-spirited, which is what you’ll find in many of the more popular programs as kids get older. Many of the same virtues and values that parents try to instill in their younglings can be found in these hilarious animated stories.
Originally created by Bob Boyle as a comic for his niece, he eventually submitted it to Bolder Media and here we are. The show has been on Nick Jr. since 2006 and with two seasons completed, there’s been guest voice work by the likes of Ty Pennington and Michelle Kwan. The animation by Film Roman (“The Simpsons” & “Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes”) has a loopy 8-bit retro feel, that made me feel like I was thrown into a quirky video game. A sensation I did not mind at all.
Produced by Starz Media and Anchor Bay Entertainment, the disc doesn’t end with the six episodes, as there are plenty of Bonus Features that will keep the kiddos entertained. There’s a Printable Growth Chart, Coloring & Activity Sheets and Music Videos, as well as some Sneak Peaks of other existing and upcoming shows and features.
It’s a relief to find something that is well-made and silly that you can experience with your children and it helps that the “Wow Wow Wubbzy” series is one that offers more than just laughs.
RATING: ***
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