Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue

Disney spin-offs are a mixed bag, but the beautifully CGI-animated Tinker Bell franchise featuring the lovable fairy from Peter Pan has been consistently strong, as well as quite popular with viewers young and old. Like the previous two entries, this third trip to Pixie Hollow is a charm, as Tinker Bell (voiced by Mae Whitman) finds herself separated from fellow sprite Vidia (Pamela Adlon), accidentally trapped in a model “fairy” house owned by a young girl named Lizzy (Lauren Mote), who lives with her scientist father, Dr. Griffiths (Michael Sheen). A raging downpour prevents Tink from escaping or Vidia and company from attempting a rescue—wet wings keep fairies grounded—but the fairies build a boat and set off in search of Tink, while our heroine warms to the attention-starved Lizzy, teaching her all about fairies. Of course, matters take a decidedly wrong turn when Dr. Griffiths (a basically good man who nevertheless has butterflies mounted on the walls) is introduced to Tink, and the rescue party meets the Griffiths' oversize cat, Mr. Twitches. Also featuring the voices of Kristen Chenoweth, Lucy Liu, and Raven-Symone, this is warmly recommended. (R. Pitman)