Storm Hawks: Hawks Rise Again

The good citizens of the planet Atmos are in constant danger from the evil Cyclonian Empire, because that's the nature of bad guys: they prey on people who are nice. The only defense Atmos can fall back on is the Sky Knights, squadrons of jocks who fight the Cyclonians on flying motorcycles. As this top-rated Cartoon Network series kicks off, one gawky teenager named Aerrow has taken it upon himself to start his own teen Sky Knights squadron, named after a long-lost legendary group: Storm Hawks. Compiling five episodes clearly aimed at young viewers, the animated action here (and it's all action) looks like J.K. Rowling's Quidditch played on one of young Anakin Skywalker's pod-racing courses with Transformers (well of course the flying motorcycles can transform!). DVD extras are limited to episode clips highlighting individual characters and their weapons, plus a mini-comic book (although it's not as if second-graders will be looking for a commentary track). A strong optional purchase. [Note: this title is also included in the two-disc collector's set Storm Hawks: Heroes of the Sky for $29.95, which also features the separately available Storm Hawks: Tales from the Atmos.] Aud: P. (M. Johanson)