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Mickey Mouse Clubhouse (April 29/07, June 7/09, November 30/09, April 3/10)

Much like other Disney shows aimed at toddlers (ie the Little Einsteins series), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse follows some of the most beloved Disney characters through exceedingly easy-to-follow adventures. While older viewers will find little to embrace here, the interactivity of these two DVDs ensures that the young ones will thrill to Mickey and the gang's assorted antics.

The first disc, Mickey Saves Santa, consists of three short episodes: Mickey Saves Santa, Goofy's Bird, and Mickey-Go-Seek. In Mickey Saves Santa, Mickey and the gang head to the North Pole after Santa finds himself stuck on Mistletoe Mountain. Goofy's Bird follows Goofy as he inadvertently mistakes a nest for a hat, and follows his subsequent efforts to return the baby bird to its mother. Mickey-Go-Seek revolves around a prolonged game of hide-and-seek that ensues between Mickey and Donald.

Disc two, Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt, contains two adventures: Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt and Donald's Hiccups. Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt follows the famed rodent as he attempts to organize a spectacular Easter party for all his friends (including Minnie, Donald and Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto). But things go awry after the clubhouse mysteriously breaks apart - with his friends still stuck inside. Donald's Hiccups, as one might've surmised from the title, revolves around Donald's efforts to shake a dogged case of the hiccups - though it's not long before all his friends have the hiccups, too.

The third disc, Mickey's Big Splash, contains four stories: Donald's Ducks, Pluto's Bubble Bath, Mickey Goes Fishing, and Pete's Beach Blanket Luau. Donald's Ducks follows Donald and Mickey as they attempt to teach eight ducks how to fly South for the winter. Pluto's Bubble Bath details Mickey and Pluto's efforts at finding their way back home after they become trapped in one of the bubbles from Pluto's bath. Mickey Goes Fishing revolves around Mickey and Pluto's attempts at finding food for Goofy's cat, Mr. Pettibone, after the animal runs out of things to eat. Pete's Beach Blanket Luau follows the various characters as they head to Star Lake for a party being held by Pete.

Disc #4, Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland, transports several of the series' characters into the landscape made famous by Lewis Carroll in Alice's Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass. The story follows Mickey and Donald as they embark on a trip through a fairytale wonderland in search of Daisy's cuckoo bird, with their journey bringing them face to face with such figures as Goofy Hatter, Queen Clarabelle, and Tweedle Chip and Tweedle Dale. The disc offers up a viewing option called "Adventure Mode," which allows the viewer to answer a series of questions as the feature transpires. Also included is a bonus episode of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse entitled Goofy Goes Goofy, which follows the iconic pooch as finds himself surrounded by clones resulting from a science experiment.

The fifth disc, Choo-Choo Express, follows Mickey and the gang as they embark on a trip to Mistletoe Mountain, with their journey accomplished by riding a train of their own invention. It's worth noting that the disc includes a new song by the well-regarded indie band They Might Be Giants entitled "Choo Choo Express." The DVD also boasts a bonus episode called Mickey's Big Job, which details Mickey's efforts at looking after Willie the Giant's expansive farm. And, as was the case with Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland, the disc allows the viewer to select "Adventure Mode" while watching the feature - which affords one the option of answering a series of questions as the feature transpires.

Disc #6, Minnie's Bow-Tique, follows Minnie as she opens a store that sells only bows and bow ties, which inevitably overwhelms Pete when he arrives to buy a present for his Aunt Mabel. The DVD is broken down into four episodes: Minnie's Pajama Party, Minnie's Bow-Tique, Minnie's Bee Story, and Minnie's Picnic. The disc opens with a selection of Disney Sneak Peeks: My Friends Tigger & Pooh: Super Duper Super Sleuths, Little Einsteins: Animal Expedition, Beauty and the Beast, The Princess and the Frog, Ponyo, Toy Story & Toy Story 2 Double Bill, TinkerBell and the Great Fairy Rescue, Handy Manny, Disney Blu-ray: Magic in High-Def, and Disney Movie Rewards. In terms of bonus features, the disc boasts an Interactive Adventure Mode method of viewing.

 

About the DVDs: Buena Vista Home Entertainment, curiously, presents Mickey Saves Santa, Mickey's Big Splash, and Minnie's Bow-Tique with full-frame transfers and Mickey's Great Clubhouse Hunt, Mickey's Adventures in Wonderland, and Choo-Choo Express with anamorphically-enhanced, 16:9 transfers. Bonus features are fairly plentiful and the discs also come armed with Disney Sneak Peeks.
© David Nusair