Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year

Short and sweet (but still priced as if it were a theatrical feature), this produced-for-video animated release rings in the "Pooh year" with two heavy-on-the-honey holiday stories. In the first, a wayward letter to Santa sends Pooh to the North Pole to rescue Christmas for his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. "Everything turns out wonderfully," of course, as Pooh and company learn that friendship and memories are the real gifts of Christmas. In the second story, a fed-up Rabbit is losing his holiday spirit, so Pooh and friends resolve to change their ways to stop him from leaving. But is the world ready for a bouncy Piglet or a happy, honey-slurping Eeyore? The familiar characters, delightful wordplay, and seasonal slapstick will keep Pooh fans amused. The DVD edition includes a "Covered in Snow" game and a sing-along-with-the-movie feature. A strong optional purchase. Aud: P. (K. Lee Benson)[Blu-ray/DVD Combo Review—Nov. 19, 2013—Walt Disney, 64 min., G, Blu-ray/DVD Combo: $36.99—Making its first appearance on Blu-ray, 2002's Winnie the Pooh: A Very Merry Pooh Year features an unremarkable transfer and Dolby Digital stereo. Extras include the “Disney Intermission” option with games and activities, a sing-along option, the “Enchanted Environment” screensaver, and bonus DVD and digital copies of the film. Bottom line: this so-so Disney holiday title doesn't exactly sparkle on Blu-ray.]