Follow That Bird

Starring possibly the biggest, and certainly the most yellow six-year-old in all of cinematic history, Follow That Bird gave Sesame Street celebrities big and small their first shot at big screen magic in a rousing tale revolving around the disappearance and massive search for lovable and impressionable Big Bird. Bullied by adoption worker Miss Finch, Big Bird is whisked away from his eclectic buddies on Sesame Street to a "rightful" life with his own kind--the Dodo family. Unhappy and homesick, Big Bird runs away, and with the ensuing massive media attention, suddenly everybody is looking for him--Bert and Ernie, The Count, Oscar the Grouch, Cookie Monster, and--unfortunately--some slimy scoundrels. Featuring the magic of Jim Henson's Sesame Street Muppets; voices by Henson, Frank Oz, and Caroll Spinney (as Big Bird); and cameos from John Candy, Chevy Chase, Kermit the Frog, and Sandra Bernhard, this is--or at least should be--a pure delight. Unfortunately, this extras-light disc has been released in a full frame only format, and while you'd think that Warner would have learned from the outcry over Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, apparently they have not. I'd recommend holding out for a widescreen release; otherwise, this is optional. (J. Williams)[DVD Review—Mar. 31, 2009—Warner, 88 min., G, $19.98—Making its latest appearance on DVD, 1985's Sesame Street Presents: Follow that Bird (25th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) features a great transfer and Dolby Digital 5.1 sound. DVD extras include a 10-minute interview with Big Bird performer Caroll Spinney, “Jump to a Song” and “Singalong” options for seven songs, DVD-ROM features (including downloadable coloring sheets), and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for an uneven film.]