Now Available on DVD -- The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure (Review)

Synopsis:

 

The story follows the Oogieloves - Goobie, Zoozie and Toofie - as they prepare for a surprise birthday party for their friend, Schluufy. When their guardian, J. Edgar, loses the last five magical balloons in all of Lovelyloveville, the Oogieloves take action. Along the way, they meet Rosalie Rosebud (Toni Braxton), Dottie Rounder (Cloris Leachman), Lola and Lero Sombrero (Jaime Pressly and Christopher Lloyd), Milky Marvin (Chazz Palminteri), and Bobby Wobbly (Cary Elwes)."

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My Thoughts:

I had the opportunity to see this movie through a preview screening, before it was released in theaters last year, and had a blast with Savannah.  This was Savannah's first experience with going to a movie theater.  Because the movie was being pitched a great family-friendly movie which encouraged children and parents to get up out of their seats and sing and dance along with the movie, I thought this would be a great way to introduce Savannah to the movies on the big screen.  As we walked in the theater, she had no idea where she was or what to expect, and once the movie began, she couldn't stop moving and grooving.

Once the movie came out in full release, my husband took Savannah to see the Oogieloves again -- and, again she had a blast.  She danced so much that she fell asleep on the way home from the theater.  Because this was a new type of movie/interactive experience for movies, I was expecting moviegoers to not know what to expect and maybe not enjoy the film.  After the initial pre-screening I attended with Savannah, I was able to participate in a focus group with the other moms and talk about the overall movie experience.  The views were mixed.  While moms of toddlers loved finally being able to bring their little ones to the movies and not have to worry about them being too loud and not being able to sit still, moms of older children had mixed feelings, as their children didn't seem to want to get up and dance and sing -- especially in a movie theater, where there wasn't much room between seats and aisles.  

Even though the movie didn't last long in theaters, I knew that when it finally released to DVD, those who loved it, and families who missed it in theaters would be able to pick it up ad enjoy in the privacy of their own home.  I wondered if older children would feel more comfortable and get up and dance and sing if they were in their own homes.  So, when I received a copy to review, I had my 6 and 8 yr. old niece and nephew over to watch The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure with my daughters.  While Savannah and Arabella started dancing from the start, it took some time for their cousins to join in -- but, they did - and had a blast.  

Overall, the story is fun and entertaining, and keeps even the youngest of children's attention.  And, by encouraging children to get up and dance and sing, really keeps them engaged from start to finish.  Since watching this movie in theaters and then this past week at home, we have watched The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure half a dozen times so far, with no signs of stopping.  It is truly a fun and new way to enjoy movies with young children.  And, I hope that after families watch this movie in their homes, that they will push to have more films like this become available in theaters again, and finally turn out in droves to see the films. :-)  I know we will be front and center if more movies like The Oogieloves in the BIG Balloon Adventure come to our local movie theater.

--BUY NOW--

This new DVD release is available through online retailers, for rent and at many of your favorite local retailers, including Walmart.  I even found a $3.00 off printable coupon you can you when purchasing this movie at your local Walmart --

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this DVD from the vendor in order to write up an honest review.  The views above are mine and mine alone.