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Special Features
- How to draw a character with director Howard E. Baker
- The Making of Tortoise and the Hare
- A sneak peek at the next Unstable Fable
Editorial Reviews
Produced by the Jim Henson Company, this computer-animated tale picks up 15 years after the race between Butch Hare and Walter Tortoise. When Butch and his son challenge Walter and his daughter to a rematch in the Mount Impossible Nature Adventure Race, they all learn that there are more important things in life than competition. With the voices of Danny Glover, Jay Leno, Drake Bell. 80 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English; Subtitles: English, Spanish.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
15 of 17 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Once upon a time, and a long time ago, a Greek slave named Aesop told his famous fable about a tortoise and a hare who decided to have a race. The moral of the story was "slow and steady wins the race"
Fast forward to 2008, and along comes this straight to DVD movie by Jim "Who's Yo Muppet?" Henson. A part of the "Unstable Fable" series, this sequel to the fable stars the vocal talents of Jay Leno, Danny Glover, Vivica Fox, Drake Bell and Keke Palmer and takes place 15 years after the main event.
Walter Tortoise (Glover), his wife Dotty (Fox) and daughter Crystal (Palmer) now live in fancy digs in the burbs next door to Murray Hare (Leno), his wife and son Butch (Bell). The big race is a constant discussion point, and the feuding critters decide to drag their unwilling offspring into a grudge rematch in the form of an "Amazing Race" type of competition. You can pretty much work out how things are going to end up, but then there's an unexpected twist to shake (or maybe stir) things up a little.
It's okay as far as straight-to-DVD animation goes, and some cliff-hangers will have you paying rapt attention, but in general it's pretty formulaic and not so unstable after all. You get the feeling that they started with a concept the size of a 30 minute Muppet Show episode, and then added padding (and dancing and pratfalls) to pump it up to its present 76 minutes.
Totally suitable for general audience viewing but nothing earth-shattering, you may want to rent this first, and buy it only if your kids like it.
Hare and Tortoise in the snow
Aesop spins from down below
Amanda Richards, September 20, 2008
Fast forward to 2008, and along comes this straight to DVD movie by Jim "Who's Yo Muppet?" Henson. A part of the "Unstable Fable" series, this sequel to the fable stars the vocal talents of Jay Leno, Danny Glover, Vivica Fox, Drake Bell and Keke Palmer and takes place 15 years after the main event.
Walter Tortoise (Glover), his wife Dotty (Fox) and daughter Crystal (Palmer) now live in fancy digs in the burbs next door to Murray Hare (Leno), his wife and son Butch (Bell). The big race is a constant discussion point, and the feuding critters decide to drag their unwilling offspring into a grudge rematch in the form of an "Amazing Race" type of competition. You can pretty much work out how things are going to end up, but then there's an unexpected twist to shake (or maybe stir) things up a little.
It's okay as far as straight-to-DVD animation goes, and some cliff-hangers will have you paying rapt attention, but in general it's pretty formulaic and not so unstable after all. You get the feeling that they started with a concept the size of a 30 minute Muppet Show episode, and then added padding (and dancing and pratfalls) to pump it up to its present 76 minutes.
Totally suitable for general audience viewing but nothing earth-shattering, you may want to rent this first, and buy it only if your kids like it.
Hare and Tortoise in the snow
Aesop spins from down below
Amanda Richards, September 20, 2008
9 of 10 people found the following review helpful
Format:DVD
Tortoise vs. Hare is the second CGI film in the "Unstable Fables" line of films from The Jim Henson Company(yes, the ones responsible for the Muppets). In this retelling of Aesop's Tale, It's years since 'Slow and Steady' Tortoise won the race against the 'Speedy' Hare. With both sides obsessing over what happend, The Hare decides to challenge The Tortoise to a rematch in the upcoming Mount Impossible team race. Thing is, this time their kids are involved because it is a team race. Will the younger generation teach the older generation something about friendship, family and playing fair? Well, like I had to, you'll have to watch the movie and find out. You'll be surpised at the ending.
I'll admit, I was expecting this movie to be pure kid's fare..since it is a fractured fairy tale, after all. Yet, I was quite surprised that this movie appealed as much to me as it would a child. Sure, it may not be quite dead-on in it's amusement like Shrek, Happily N'ever After or Toy Story but it has alot of potential. With each 'Unstable Fable' I see, they get better and better in their delivery. As far as the animation is concerned, these guys are pros..it looks just as good as the aforementioned movies and films like Ice Age or even better.
With vocal talent by Danny Glover, Vivica A. Fox, Jay Leno, Keke Palmer & Drake Bell; this is a film the whole family will love. I know mine did. Special Features include: a preview of the next Unstable Fables release, How to draw the characters from the movie with Howard Baker, The Making of Tortoise vs. Hare, it's trailer as well as trailers of other favorites by the Weinstein Group-The Henson Company & Genius Products.
It's a tale filled with laughs and well-crafted lessons about the dangers of trying to win at any cost. Parents and children alike will love it!
I'll admit, I was expecting this movie to be pure kid's fare..since it is a fractured fairy tale, after all. Yet, I was quite surprised that this movie appealed as much to me as it would a child. Sure, it may not be quite dead-on in it's amusement like Shrek, Happily N'ever After or Toy Story but it has alot of potential. With each 'Unstable Fable' I see, they get better and better in their delivery. As far as the animation is concerned, these guys are pros..it looks just as good as the aforementioned movies and films like Ice Age or even better.
With vocal talent by Danny Glover, Vivica A. Fox, Jay Leno, Keke Palmer & Drake Bell; this is a film the whole family will love. I know mine did. Special Features include: a preview of the next Unstable Fables release, How to draw the characters from the movie with Howard Baker, The Making of Tortoise vs. Hare, it's trailer as well as trailers of other favorites by the Weinstein Group-The Henson Company & Genius Products.
It's a tale filled with laughs and well-crafted lessons about the dangers of trying to win at any cost. Parents and children alike will love it!
Format:DVD|Amazon Verified Purchase
this was one of the first movies I have ordered and was not sure about what kind of condition used discs would be in, but I was pleasantly surprised. It looked and played like new. My grand-children have watched this movie so often that I will have to order another one soone. I can highly recommend this movie and the shipper.
I have since ordered other used movies with the same results.
I have since ordered other used movies with the same results.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
Great movie series!
Great Movie series. Bought all the different ones I could find. My 5 year old loves to play them on her portable DVD player with headset. :)
Published 9 months ago by Diana L. Keeton
Strongest Entry of the Unstable Trio
I'll be the first to admit that the Unstable Fables trilogy didn't exactly dazzle. There was potential in the plots and a few snickers to be had, sure, but poor pacing, reliance... Read more
Published 19 months ago by ONENEO
Not bad....
I was a little disapointed with this movie, I thought it was going to be better, it wasn't awful, it just wasn't great, a little slow, but the kids thought it was ok. Read more
Published 19 months ago by Aussie Jo
6 year old enjoyed it
We enjoy other Unstable Fables so I got this for my 6 year old. She likes it, but I was a bit bored - to be fair though I was very sleepy and fell asleep before it was over. Read more
Published on March 28, 2010 by E. DeJesus
Super!
I've seen all the Unstable Fables and this one is probably the best. The characters are developed quite clearly and the voice performances really work with Keke Palmer and Jay... Read more
Published on November 20, 2009 by Cartoon Duke
Great DVD
I purchased this DVD for my 4 year old son, and I love the way the fable is told, so that he understood, and the language is not offensive at all. Read more
Published on September 12, 2009 by bluefyre
As Promised
The movie was inexpensive - which is great because after you see it a few times it goes onto the shelf for awhile, right? - in perfect condition and arrived on schedule. Read more
Published on April 10, 2009 by Holly Berline
fun for kids and parents
My 6 yr old loves this series! (Unstable Fables). He says they keep getting better! It's something you can watch with your kids and has some good messages in it as well.
Published on October 13, 2008 by Susan Penevolpe
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