Loosely based on the characters of The Three Musketeers classic novel, Disney added some special touches to this 2004 story of a threesome who strive to become legendary Musketeers. In this case, Donald, Mickey, and Goofy were poor little urchin kids when Musketeers saved their lives. As a reminder, one of them gave Mickey his hat, and from that time on the trio set out to become real musketeers.

Flash forward and we see the trio working as janitors. They are “Janitors today – Musketeers tomorrow!” But do they have what it takes to become authentic Musketeers?

Pete is the bad guy in this story. He has ulterior motives when bringing Mickey, Donald, and Goofy into the Musketeers. Knowing that they are bumbling guys, he puts them in charge of protecting Princess Minnie. His motive is to steal the throne. Hey, with these three in charge of security, it should be an easy takeover.
But the clever and surprisingly brave trio discover they really do have what it takes. And it’s all for one and one for all in this fun little tale of good versus evil.

What makes this especially enjoyable – for adults – is the music. When the turtle sings “Just Around the Corner,” it is reminiscent of a pop love song of today. And with music from Tchaikovsky and Beethoven, the soundtrack makes this film unique and entertaining.

In a bonus feature Mickey, Goofy, Donald, Pete, and Pluto talk about filming the movie. Well, Pluto doesn’t talk, of course, but the others do and converse and joke with each other.

This 10^th Anniversary Edition contains a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and Digital Copy. Mickey, Donald, Goofy: The Three Musketeers is rated G for everyone.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

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Hercules is the 35^th full-length animated feature from the Disney studios. It’s also the first one to be based on mythology instead of a fairy tale. The music, which is a large part of the film, was nominated for an Academy Award. This 1997 movie definitely has appeal for all ages.

Hercules is the story of the son of Zeus (voiced by Rip Torn). He is taken by the evil Hades (voiced by James Woods) who instructs his cohorts Pain (Bobcat Goldthwait) and Panic (Matt Frewer), to kill him, but the baby doesn’t die. Instead he is turned into a human from a God, and left on the road. He is then found by a loving couple who raises him as their own.

Even though Hercules (voiced by Tate Donovan) is human, he still has his super human strength. He’s kind of like Bamm Bamm in The Flintstones. When he realizes who he really is, he goes up to Mount Olympus to meet his father. There he is told the only way to regain his true legacy is to do something heroic.

Hercules employs the help of Philoctetes (Danny DeVito), much like Luke Skywalker turned to Yoda for help. Phil has trained many before and now hopes Hercules will be his best pupil.

Well, with Hades trying to take over and Hercules trying to be heroic, there are plenty of antics, mixed with a lot of music. Soon, Hercules is the talk of the town. He is famous, but “being famous isn’t the same as being a real hero.” He is told to “look inside your heart.” It is then, when he does something truly unselfish, when he proves his worth.

The bonus features include a sing-along, and a music video. There is also an interesting “making of” featurette in which the filmmakers and voice acting talent discuss the story and the movie. Alan Menken, who also worked on The Little Mermaid, Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, Pocahontas, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, and more, composed the soundtrack. For Hercules, Menken combines gospel with R&B and added a little classical to the blend to create the spirit of the film.

There are so many great talent lending their voices to this film, including, Charlton Heston, Susan Egan, Samantha Eggar, Barbara Barrie, Hal Holbrook, Paul Shaffer, Amanda Plummer, and others.

Hercules is rated G for everyone. This Special Edition includes a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and a Digital Copy. There’s something for everyone in the movie, including, yes, true love.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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The packaging on this “new to blue” (Blu-ray) edition claims it is a 2-movie collection, however in fact three movies are included. Not only do viewers get The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, and Fun and Fancy Free, but they also get the adorable The Reluctant Dragon. Each one of these films is full of the Disney touch.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad

Have you ever wondered what the inspiration was for the Disneyland attraction Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride? Well, it came from The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad, which are actually two stories in one. Mr. Toad is taken from the classic book “The Wind in the Willows,” and Ichabod is taken from “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” These classic books are retold in the Disney tradition, with fun and music

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad was released in 1949. These two different stories are different in tone and characters. Mr. Toad has a penchant for going overboard. When he sets his sights on a new motorcar, he ends up in all kinds of trouble, including jail. This story takes place in a fantasy world where the characters are animals. Ichabod Crane is set in a New England town with human characters. These short films might just inspire kids to read the books from which they were taken!

Fun and Fancy Free

As with the previous film, Fun and Fancy Free is also comprised of two stories. Hosted by Jiminy Cricket, the story of Bongo, a circus bear who escapes and discovers life is very different on the outside. There are plenty of songs and fun in this film. Bongo immediately finds love, but has to learn how wild bears act in order to get along. “Bongo” is narrated by Dinah Shore. And then there’s “Mickey and the Beanstalk” narrated by Sterling Holloway and Edgar Bergen, from the classic fairy tale “Jack and the Beanstalk.” This 1947 film was the final movie in which Walt Disney voiced his beloved character Mickey Mouse.

The Reluctant Dragon

The bonus film in this collection is perhaps the most adorable of all the stories. The Reluctant Dragon is a 1941 production combining live action with animation, and takes viewers inside the Walt Disney Studios to see how the filmmakers work. The story follows humorist Robert Benchley who is at the studio to meet with Mr. Disney to sell him the idea of his story about a shy dragon.

Once he gains entrance onto the lot, he wanders into various areas where all kinds of things are going on. He even gets a lesson in storyboarding and there is a short film within this movie about Baby Weems. So, there is a movie within this movie, so to speak.

The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad and Fun and Fancy Free are packaged in a new 2-movie Collection that includes a Blu-ray and two DVDs. And don’t forget the additional film, The Reluctant Dragon. This set is filled with plenty of entertainment to keep everyone in the family amused. This edition is rated G for all audiences.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

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Disney’s Tarzan was released in 1999. This Special Edition includes the new to Blu-ray disc of the fun-filled animated story from Edgar Rice Burroughs’ classic tale. There is a great soundtrack that goes along with this cute story of the little boy raised by gorillas who ultimately found his home.

The story begins when a leopard kills a baby gorilla. At the same time, a human family is shipwrecked. They built a little tree house in the jungle to live. Then the leopard kills the mother and father, leaving the baby alone and crying. It’s then when the two worlds collide, or combine.

Kala, the grieving gorilla mother, discovers this strange little baby. She wants a son, and he needs a mother. She takes him back to her group, and although the leader says the baby will never be part of the clan, he agrees to let him stay.
Kala names this adorable little baby Tarzan, and he grows up a little bit of an outcast but also very much a part of the gorilla group. He’s anxious to prove himself, and although he knows he’s different from the other kids, he tries his best to do everything they do. Tarzan is great at imitating movements and sounds.

There are many fun animals in this film. Check out the sweet little elephant who is a germaphobe. She doesn’t want to get into the water because she’s afraid of bacteria. Her antics will have you laughing out loud.

In the meantime, Tarzan wants to be “the best ape ever.” He works hard at fitting in and proving himself to the others. He has no fears.

Then he comes across a group of humans who are in the jungle to study gorillas. Jane and Tarzan instantly connect, and soon he is helping her and then she is helping him. There are some dangers ahead for all of them. After all, where humans go, danger follows. Human greed is the recipe for danger.

On a side note: check out the human campground and you’ll see Mrs. Potts and Chip (from Beauty and the Beast, 1991), and the music is reminiscent of the soundtrack of Brother Bear, 2003).
In the bonus features, the filmmakers describe how only animation could do justice to the story. Only an animated Tarzan could move the way he does and interact with the animals the way he does. Animation simply makes it better to tell the story of Tarzan’s relationships and movements. Bonus features also include original artwork and a featurette on the filmmakers’ “inspiration search” research trip to Africa so they could portray the land and the animals to their best abilities to make sure the viewers experience the jungle in the truest way possible.

This Special Edition includes a Blu-ray disc, a DVD, and a Digital Copy. Tarzan is rated G for everyone. Just remember the death of the baby gorilla and Tarzan’s parents – for sensitive viewers.

About the Author

Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.

Follow her on Twitter

Like her on Facebook

Tied to the August 12th release of Muppets Most Wanted on Blu-ray Combo Pack, we’re delighted to share Muppets Activities below! Help Kermit escape from the Siberian gulag maze,  test your Muppets Most Wanted knowledge, help the gang spot the difference then brighten up the weekend with some coloring!