Adventures With Baaco: Animal Quest

Although he's purportedly from outer space, the star of Adventures With Baaco--an oversize green plush animal with an obnoxious and familiar laugh--is little more than a pale imitation of Barney, the almighty purple dinosaur. In this low-budget production, Baaco and schoolchildren visit the local zoo, learn a few interesting facts about animals, and sing over half a dozen songs--many of which (as in the Barney videos) are reworked children's classics like "London Bridge." The choreography is a bit rough, and the editing doesn't hold a candle to the slickness of its obvious source of inspiration. The first in a projected series starring the green alien, Adventures With Baaco: Animal Quest is a so-so rip-off that's unlikely to replace the color purple as the ruling fashion for the pre-school/early grade school crowd anytime soon. Not recommended. (R. Pitman)