Customer Reviews

Serendipity the Pink Dragon [VHS]

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've had this video for soooooo long! When I was little, I would rent this video A LOT! I just had to have it! I wanted to tell my friends about it I loved it so much! Now that I'm older, I can still remember the words to the song, although, I always wondered why the song said "pink dinosaur", and the cover and book say, "pink dragon"? The movie isn't like the book. There isn't a king dolphin or walrus, but the mermaid (Princess Laura) is cool, too. This show is really great for kids! All I want to know is who designed this cover? It's ugly! Nobody in the movie looks like that! Well, close enough.

When I was 3 or 4 years old, this was my favorite movie. I used to have all the dialogue memorized and the theme song too. After not seeing it for years and years, all the memories came back to me. This is the PERFECT movie for kids. The songs in the movie are sure to have them singing along.
Serendipity guards the sea around the island with her friend, Bobby, a young boy who has been stranded. Together, they have many exciting adventures with the other unique and adorable characters on Paradise Island. This story is so fantastic, so please treat your kids to this movie. Heck, even adults will love it!

What you might not have been aware of when you first watched this film: it was Japanese in origin. This film actually is a compilation of a few episodes of "Serendipity Monogatari Yori: Pure Shima no Nakamatachi" (The Story of Serendipity: Friends of Pure Island), a TV series which aired in Japan in 1983. It was around six years later that the compilation was dubbed into English and released in the U.S. by Celebrity Home Entertainment. I had been under the impression that the show was conceived in America and the animation farmed out to a Japanese studio (since creator Stephen Cosgrove is American), but that isn't so. (Also, Bobby's name in the original version was "Corna.")
The basic story: Bobby's scientist parents have taken him along on an expedition to the South Pole. An iceburg breaks apart and separates Bobby from his parents, and Bobby ends up floating out to sea and landing on the lush, tropical Paradise Island, along with a large egg... from which hatches Serendipity. The inhabitants of the island, which is governed by Laura the mermaid princess, are initially hostile toward Bobby (distrustful of humans, if I remember correctly), but warm up to him after he helps them defend the island from the vile Captain Smudge. The most memorable character for me is Peela-Peela (sp?), a large parrot of sorts who serves as the source of a lot of comic relief. At one point in the film, Peela-Peela goes on trial for something (stealing fruit?), and both Serendipity and Bobby have to testify against their friend, who is put in chains as punishment - a lesson about the integrity of the justice system.
As I recall, the dialogue and the dubbing, in the English version at least, were pretty well done. And there are songs too, most of which tend to be somewhat corny (but this film is for kids; don't expect "American Pie"), with the exception of one, a ballad with sort of a Caribbean/island feel, sung by a female vocalist about "Paradise." Having never read the books, I can't testify as to how faithful the film is to Cosgrove's original story, but as a stand-alone piece, this movie is good entertainment for young children. Noticing that it was re-released on video in 1996, I think it's about time this film made it to DVD, especially since the books are still available and since anime has never been more popular in America than it is now.

I was looking for this manga since long time!! :) It used to watch it when i was 5-6 years old. I didn't know the original name of it, so it was difficult to find it. But it is only in video. Please put it in DVD, it is different from other cartoons and i think it is great for children! I am sure there are adults who would enjoy watching this manga, like me :) I want to get it but I prefer to buy it in DVD!!
Last if all, I am agree; the cover is not the same as in the original one. I have found the original cover on a web site in which characters are represented in their true nature ;)

Daughter watched this as a child and tape got lost somewhere over the years. I was so happy that I found it on Amazon. She was thrilled. She is 23.

This movie left an impact on me.
Years and years ago when I was but a child, I had it on VHS and would watch it often.

Then, recently, I had a dream about it. I woke up and instantly wrote down the name Serendipity, before I could forget. I looked it up and found the theme song on YouTube and it brought me back! I decided to order the VHS again and watch it for the nostalgia.

I ordered it for about $7, and watched it the day it came. This movie is amazing! I never really understood what was going on as a child, and I am extremely lucky to have rediscovered it! This could have been in theaters and became a huge hit! The animation is irresistible, and the plot is fun and exciting!

I really hope there is a DVD release some day! This movie shouldn't go to waste, it's such a gem. I strongly recommend it. Yes, I am 24 years old and very much enjoyed it.

I remember watching this movie when i was really little girl i love it so much. when i would go to the movie stores i would always ask to rent the movie but my mom said that we couldnt becasue it recked our vcr!!! i would get all up set and then they would rent it just for me

I love this movie. It was so sweet. I reccomend that you show this video to your children or just watch it yourself. It's a classic tale of friendship.

Overall I was happy with this product it was delivered much faster than expected which was great for Christmas. However the quality of the video was not that great, I realize it is an old movie but I really thought it would be better.

This is a movie that I used to watch as a child, and am thrilled my daughter can have the pleasure of watching it, as well. However, I am trying to find a DVD of this movie, and it seems that this is not yet available! :(