Customer Reviews

Hooves of Fire

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Okay, so these aren't as great as the Wallace and Gromit films, but they are pretty funny. We actually like "The Lost Tribe" better than "Hooves"; it is wackier and has more action - and Vikings! Blitzen's evil is delightful; his comparison of power and toast just cracked me up! There's more than a hint of Monty Python about "Lost Tribe" (the Viking flashback sequences are a key example).

We found the US voice versions really flat and always listen to the UK versions; I think that the US version was done so that American audiences would have voices that they recognized, but Jane Horrocks' voice beats Britney Spears' voice hands down!

One note - neither of the stories is actually about Christmas, but they ARE about reindeer and the North Pole. Our two year old loves the films, and we like them quite well, but what you think of them will depend on what you were expecting.

This is a fantastic short that I've seen before on TV and thought wow I'll buy the DVD. No real regrets but what a shock and disappointment I got when I noticed a distinct change in voice overs. What they've done is taken away those wonderful characterful voices from the original and dubbed over weak and uninvolving American voices. Who do we think we are changing something this good just because they are not home grown accents. This is arrogant and to be frank all I dislike about this great but often self-centered country of ours.

Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of fire is a great special. It was produced in part for the British Comic relief charity to be shown as part of their telethon although in saying that I hope they make Robbie the Reindeer into a series. The story is full of puns and humor from Santa trying to update his image to biker elves and backstabbing Reindeer. Every scene is so full of detail you might miss some of the jokes in the background the first time round. That's why it's a good idea to rewind and watch it over and over again ;0).

Robbie the Reindeer: Hooves of fire doesn't have any inappropriate material but some of the humor used can be pretty subtle at times and is aimed more at an older audience. In saying that young and old will still love and enjoy it. The story is a great new `classic' for the holidays.

The voice talents of some of the funniest British comedians are used and they provide a good variety of UK accents, which include Irish (Robbie), English Liverpool (Santa) and Welsh (Biker elf). The characters are memorable and lovable. At only 30 minutes in length I was left wanting more...

The four audio tracks available on this DVD are:
US Voices;
US Voices with commentary;
UK Voices;
UK Voices with commentary.
Disregard the other comments regarding the lack of UK Voices.

Um, when looking at this DVD to replace the one my 2 yr old wore out I was surprised to locate other descriptions elsewhere which talked about using american voices for the soundtrack! It appears above you can still hear the "Alternate UK Vocal Track" So 3 stars for changing the voices!!! Amazon you may want to revise your description. Not to mention the second story on it.

As for the original Robbie it is a riot. There is so much to notice I still see new things the 50th (??) time around. My 2 yr old asks for Robbie every day. He likes to run in the reindeer games by racing around the house.

I didn't ask for Ben Stiller and Britney Spears to voice over the actors in this amazing film! I am very disappointed. There is nothing better than the original version. Our whole family was looking forward to having this favorite on DVD for future Christmases. The charm and whit, the British accents, gone, the whole thing is ruined.

Buyers beware! "US Version" means they took out the heart of the movie! Make sure what you're getting is the original film and you won't regret it.

added later:
thank God! there is an "alternate" uk voicetrack! please please do not watch this movie without selecting it first in the audio options. yay, my purchase was not a total loss!

...for a british film??? I saw this movie a few years ago on TV, and then the following year eagerly anticipated watching it again...only to be terribly disappointed that the "powers that be" decided to completely ruin the humor by dubbing those English character voices with American voices...and not even good ones at that!!! Ben Stiller and Brittney Spears??? were they the only actors/media darlings who didn't think it was a bad idea?...the voiceovers leave the movie sadly lacking in character and humor. Shame on whoever thought that was a good idea (one of the networks), I guess they must think that the general public are not smart enough, or interested enough, to understand the British humor...there are a few inside jokes that mainly British viewers would appreciate, the voice of the Yeti sports commentator is done by a very well known British sports commentator for example.

I'll give it two stars...only because the animation is still there, and very good - but i'll give it a miss this Christmas.

I saw this movie enroute to Toronto from London on British Airways. It's quite possibly one of the funniest, and most well done movies. It's a claymation story of Rudolph the Reindeer's son. It's got everything, girls, machismo, cheating, lying, and more girls... I've been looking for this movie on R1 DVD for a long time, and I'm relieved that I found it!

I grew up loving the traditional Christmas claymation. Robbie the Reindeer was what this grown up could only hope for. If you liked Wallace and Grommit or Chicken Run, you'll love Robbie. Like the other reviewers, I feel some of the humor will be above children's level, but they'll get the basic theme of, "if you have a dream, work hard and you'll succeed." I can't wait to own my own copy. Now my dog won't have to wait for the t.v. version with its many commercials to end before he gets his walk. Grommit would appreciate that.

In the true Nick Park/Aardman Animation Style, Robbie the Reindeer is brought to life with gusto! A must see for any claymation fan. I thoroughly enjoyed this video. It is funny, charming, witty and there's even a little romance! A great way to spend half an hour!