Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure Blu-ray delivers stunning video and great audio in this enjoyable Blu-ray release
Tinker Bell’s greatest adventure yet takes place in Autumn, as the fairies are on the mainland
changing the colors of the leaves, tending to pumpkin patches, and helping geese fly south for
the winter. The rare Blue Moon will rise, and when its light passes through the magical Fall
Scepter that Tinker Bell has been summoned to create, Pixie Hollow’s supply of pixie dust will
be restored. But when Tinker Bell accidentally puts all of Pixie Hollow in jeopardy, she must
venture out across the sea on a secret quest to set things right.
All hail the merchandising gods of Disney! Whether you credit Uncle Walt's world famous theme parks, the countless toy store aisles dedicated to Disney play-sets and dolls, the endless home video releases lining store shelves, or the aptly named cable networks that keep mainstays like Mickey and Donald at the forefront of our children's imaginations, it's impossible to deny Disney has effectively extended the lifespan of its classic characters and found new ways to earn more fans with each passing generation. "Disney Princess" and "Disney Fairies" are the studio's most recent gold mines; a pair of marketing miracles strategically designed to appeal to young girls enchanted by the fairy tale adventures of Snow White, Cinderella, Belle and, of course, Tinker Bell. Based on a minor supporting character in J.M. Barrie's "Peter Pan" -- and subsequently, a more playful rendition of the sprite in Walt Disney's 1953 animated adaptation of Barrie's book -- Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure is a sequel to the studio's well-received 2008 direct-to-video film, Tinker Bell. But will parents cringe at its slender story and aw-shucks demeanor? Will kids embrace a second visit to Pixie Hollow? The answer to both questions is an unequivocal yes.
Dead eyes sap some of the soul from 'The Lost Treasure,' but the rest of the animation is decent...
As the fairies of Pixie Hollow begin preparing for autumn and the many seasonal celebrations that come with it, Tinker Bell (voiced by Avatar: The Last Airbender's Mae Whitman) is tasked with a crucial role in one of her civilization's most treasured rituals: the restoration of a rare and magical gem called a moonstone. But when Tink's tinkering goes awry and the moonstone is shattered, she decides to venture into the outlands of Neverland to find a mysterious mirror (rumored to grant wishes) before her people realize their sacred ceremony -- as well as the tree that supplies their precious pixie dust -- is in grave danger. With the help of Blaze (Bob Bergen), a loyal firefly, and Terence (actor/singer/songwriter/requisite teenie-bop heartthrob Jesse McCartney), an overbearing love interest who tends to annoy our favorite fem-fairy, Tink has to face a series of rather toothless challenges, save Pixie Hollow from its dark fate and, in true Disney fashion, learn a thing or two about herself.
So what awaits your daughter's winged heroine? Honestly, not much. After skulking around Pixie Hollow for what seems like an eternity, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure finally gets down to business, introducing a series of set pieces that aren't nearly as interesting as they first appear. A bickering pair of behemoths is hardly the sort of memorable foe a franchise that gave us Captain Hook should bother with, and Tink's depression is far more formidable than anything she encounters on her journey. Worse still, I continually felt as if I was watching the same scene over and over again. While different locales, different dialogue, and different characters are featured, each scene essentially involves Tink solemnly reflecting on the mess she's gotten herself into and whining about her predicament... incessantly. Maybe it's the middle-aged man in me, but I wanted to slap her across the face, tell her to pull it together and get moving. That being said, her world-hopping trek, though poorly paced, expands the rosy-cheeked Neverland introduced in Tinker Bell and gives its resident fliers far more personality. The first film struck me as little more than a thinly veiled retread of Pixar's A Bug's Life. The Lost Treasure can be just as derivative, but does a better job concealing its inspirations, granting Tink and her friends more spirited interactions, more convincing conflicts, and more seemingly insurmountable obstacles to overcome.
But the film wasn't made for me, was it? If you have a daughter between the ages of four and nine, particularly one whose room is plastered with "Disney Princess" pink and "Disney Fairies" green, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure will find its way into your Blu-ray player more often than you're probably prepared to stomach. Thankfully, the story offers young girls a wholesome, altogether positive message involving honesty, self-confidence, and selflessness. It rarely indulges in the aren't I pretty nonsense that frequents the Princess franchise, and it never rewards Tink for her mistakes without giving her the opportunity to learn something meaningful in the process. It helps that the CG animation is relatively impressive. The fairies' glassy eyes and stiff movements may distract adults, but kids will be blown away by the painterly forests of Pixie Hollow and the colorful costumes and glowing dust therein. Simply put, kids will find a lot to love in The Lost Treasure; so much so that parents will be quick to suck up their misgivings and grin and bear their way through every second of its short, 80-minute runtime.
Disney delivers yet another gorgeous, high-quality 1080p/AVC-encoded transfer blooming with rich, autumn-swept colors and stunning clarity. Inky blacks, absorbing depth, and impeccable detail abound; every fleck of fairy dust, every falling leaf are lovingly rendered, every twisted twig and aging wood plank look fantastic. While the animation itself falls short on occasion, there's very little to criticize when it comes to Disney's technical efforts. I did notice a bit more banding (particularly in the nighttime Neverland skies) than I've seen in other CG releases on the market, but it's rarely a distraction. Artifacting, aliasing, ringing, and other eyesores are nowhere to be seen, and the presentation is stable and consistent throughout. All things considered, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure's high definition presentation will thrill young videophiles everywhere. It isn't entirely perfect, but it comes incredibly close.
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure sports a solid DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track; one that's quite effective, especially considering the limited, front-heavy nature of its direct-to-video sound design. Fairy voices are clean and perfectly prioritized, troll grumblings are deep and weighty, and the flutter of wings is crystal clear. While the LFE channel is never really challenged by anything Tink and her lot have to offer, it still injects enough power into the proceedings to make its presence known. Rear speaker activity is fairly restrained as well, but with so many buzzing insects, rustling trees, and whooshing wind frequenting each scene, I expected a slightly more immersive soundfield. Still, the track doesn't suffer from any debilitating technical issues so I doubt anyone will be bothered by the results. Inherent shortcomings aside, Disney continues to demonstrate its commitment to quality with this capable lossless offering.
Despite the lengthy list of features that grace the back of the box, the Blu-ray edition of Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure actually doesn't have much supplemental content to speak of. No production featurettes, no interactive kids' activities, no snazzy BD-Live bonuses. Ah well, at least it's all presented in high definition.
Outtakes & Bloopers (HD, 20 minutes): This batch of faux-bloopers and deleted scenes add little to the experience, but should nevertheless give young viewers a bit more to enjoy. Unfortunately, many of the cuts are in the earliest stages of the animation process, meaning most of the shots have been cobbled together using pre-viz work and storyboard drawings. Filmmaker introductions precede each scene.
Magical Guide to Pixie Hollow (HD, 5 minutes): Far from the interactive experience I was expecting from this feature, this bonus short provides kids with a rather basic tour of Tink's homeland. No more, no less.
Pixie Hollow Comes to Walt Disney World (HD, 8 minutes): While overly promotional, this featurette showcases the amount of detail and hard work that goes into an attraction at Disney World.
Music Video (HD, 3 minutes): Demi Lovato performs "The Gift of a Friend" while being assaulted by a wind machine, obligatory CG inserts, and clips from the film.
Without a daughter, it's tough to review Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure. Suffice to say, it's a tad slow and shallow at times, but it ultimately has all the necessary components of a strong, market-driven, direct-to-video release. Disney's Blu-ray release is far easier to evaluate. With a near-perfect video transfer, a commendable DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround track, and a decent (albeit small) supplemental package, it's sure to please kids and their AV-savvy parents alike. Give this one a rent if your daughter is almost out of her "Disney Fairies" stage, but add it to your cart post haste if she's desperate to know what becomes of Tink in her latest adventure.
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