Review - Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: MINNIE-RELLA (DVD)

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When I first caught an episode or two of MICKEY MOUSE CLUBHOUSE some years back, I wasn’t really into it. There was something that struck me as a bit hollow, and the animation style just didn’t appeal to me. Fortunately, by the time my girls started to show interest in Mickey and the gang, the show had improved drastically in both animation and storytelling, and on recent home video releases (like December’s SUPER ADVENTURE!), Mickey Mouse Clubhouse has actually tapped into a lot of what I loved about THE MICKEY MOUSE CLUB and THE NEW MICKEY MOUSE CLUB (both of which I’d seen in re-runs as a kid), speaking directly to young audiences and teaching valuable lessons and social skills through story and song. Out this week, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse: MINNIE-RELLA keeps that vibe going, introducing families to a new tale based on the classic CINDERELLA story.

While Mickey and the gang prep to give Minnie a special gift, they attempt to keep her busy with a bunch of chores. Being the kind friend that she is, Minnie agrees to help with every request, eventually getting worn out and drifting off to sleep… her dreams taking a familiar shape with the little mouse and her friends playing the roles made famouse (bad pun?) in the 1950 Walt Disney motion picture based on the classic Charles Perrault fairy tale.

In many ways, MINNIE-RELLA falls into the same category as MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, presenting a youthful telling of a story that may or may not already be familiar to preschool-aged viewers. It’s like live theater… as a cartoon.

The MINNIE-RELLA DVD comes complete with a papercraft castle, tomato carriage, and Prince Mickey and Princess Minnie-rella dolls, neatly flat-packed within the case and requiring some grownup assembly and patience. In addition to the feature presentation, bonus episodes that continue the fairytale theme are included, along with ten additional MINNIE’s BOW-TOONS shorts, all making for a great value with excellent repeat viewing potential.

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