Customer Reviews

Disney's Little Einsteins - Rocket's Firebird Rescue

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

This is one of the best Little Einsteins DVDs yet for exposing kids to classical music. Twice as long as a regular television program, its 51-minute main feature, "Rocket's Firebird Rescue," will really make children familiar with Igor Stravinsky's "The Firebird."

Just about the perfect length for many youngsters' attention spans, the program tells the tale of the Firebird, a mythical crane that spreads music throughout Russia until a mean, magical ogre traps it. It also introduces kids to the painting "Improvisation" by Wassily Kandinsky, the amazing eggs of Carl Faberge, Russian nesting dolls, even St. Basil's Cathedral and the Baikal freshwater seal.

It's even better if you view it with a home theater set-up, as the Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack includes the kids' "Rocket" flying machine zooming around you as it travels.

The DVD also contains a regular episode of the Little Einsteins television series, 2007's "Rocket Soup," in which the kids fill up their transporter with its favorite food, a mix of cheese, peas, and jumping beans. It features Antonin Dvorak's catchy "Humoresque No. 7" (you'll know it when you hear it) and the painting "Moonrise" by Paul Klee.

There is just one bonus feature, "Magic Mission," which plays the main feature with "hidden" pop-up cards. When selected with a remote, each leads to an animated fun fact.

"Rocket's Firebird Rescue" is a new full length adventure starring Disney's Little Einsteins. The film runs 51 minutes, with an additional bonus episode titled, "Rocket Soup". I'll admit that initially I was a bit put off by the "Little Einsteins" moniker. I don't like the implication that parents have to plunk their little darlings in front of a box in order to stimulate their minds. There are many products sold to insecure parents who want to give their child every advantage, all seem to have titles that include the names of famous thinkers, composers, or artists, or else words such as "brainy", "smarter", or "better". Though I'm not enamored of the show's name, "Little Einsteins" is quite fun and engaging.

There are four kids on the Little Einsteins team, each with a special talent. The kids are between four and six years old. Leo is the leader of the group and his special skill is conducting. Quincy plays a variety of musical instruments. June is a dancer, and Annie, the youngest member of the team, is a singer. The animation is really cute, and the characters come across as sweet but not saccharine.

In this film, the children introduce a Kandinsky painting, a Fabergé egg, Russian Nesting Dolls, and Igor Stravinsky's, "The Firebird" at the beginning of the story. The kids start reading the story of the Firebird to their friend Rocket, who is a sentient flying ship. They fly to Russia in order to rescue the captive Firebird. An evil ogre has captured her, and she can only sing very softly while she is captive. All the music of the area is subdued and the flowers are wilting. The kids must use their abilities to overcome various obstacles and vanquish the evil ogre.

An interesting component of the dvd is the interactive "Magic Mission" option. By using the dvd remote, viewers can click on nine feathers that appear throughout the film. Each feather discloses a video "card" which has an image and a short bit of information. After all cards have been collected, they reveal a hidden picture.

Viewers are encouraged to play along with the team. They are asked to conduct with Leo, for instance, and he starts off "adagio" and progresses through "moderato" and :allegro" to "presto!" Characters often stop and speak directly to the viewer and ask, Will you help us?" My toddler was always quick to answer, "yes!"

"Rocket's Firebird Rescue" is a nice representation of Russian folklore, reminiscent of Peter and the Wolf. The music is lovely and the "bad guys" are not too threatening for very young children. I recommend it for ages 1-6, though I will add that my older children seemed enchanted by it as well!

My 2-year-old son is a huge fan of Little Einsteins, or, as he calls them, the "Steins!" He loves this movie and we let him watch it on rare occassions where we need to keep him occupied for a full hour. My son loves the movie and dances, sings and does everything else along with the movie, so clearly it engages him. I am sure he would give it five stars.

From the parent perspective, though, it seems like they made an hour long episode by repeating things seven times instead of three times. And each Little Einstein gets to show off his or her unique talent, instead of focusing on one person like they do on a TV episode. As a result, it feels like an overlong TV episode. Of course, the TV episodes are great, so this is not really a criticism other than to say that if you watch it with your child, you will likely get a little bored and start wishing they would move the story along. Like I said, the repitition does not bother my son, the intended audience, one bit.

Overall, if your child is a fan of the Little Einsteins, I am sure he or she will love this movie. But it is probably not one you will want to sit down and watch with your child over and over.

My 3 and a half-year old son found the "Rocket's Firebird Rescue" movie very scary and he refused to watch it to the end. I had never seen him so scared when watching a children's movie before. The bonus episode "Rocket Soup" is OK, but not great.

My son just turned 2 and this is is most favorite show. He tells everybody he meets about the firebird and the evil ogre Carzai (sp?). He pays very close attention and when it is over, he asks to see it again. He likes all little einsteins, but the fire bird is his favorite!
Beware, the song is very catchy and really gets stuck in your head. :)

Little Einsteins Rocket's Firebird Rescue" is surprising entertaining. It exposes kids to the world of classical music. This full length adventure runs 51 minutes, with an additional bonus. This is a must have for any young kid.

This video is entertaining and instructional, acquainting children with musical instruments and encouraging them to appreciate classical music.

I got this for my son cause I couldnt find any einstein movies at any stores but of course I found it on amazon, cuz it rocks!!!!

I have to give it 5 stars in lieu of my son. I like that it comes with other episodes, too. Our 7yo daughter will still watch these from time to time, too. Great incorporation of the classics into a kids show.

My twins LOVE the Little Einsteins and watch their other videos over and over, but they never ask to watch this one. I think the story is too long, repetitive and boring. They actually enjoy the Rocket Soup episode more than the featured one.