New to DVD and Blu-Ray -- ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA (Review)

Up, up and a long way from home…

All-new CG Animated Adventure Featuring Voices of

Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum, Leonard Nimoy, and Samuel L. Jackson

Exclusively at Walmart on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack & DVD March 26^th

Featuring Kid-Friendly Extras, Including Music Video and Four Featurettes

                                                

"Take to the skies and visit the awe‑inspiring Zambezia River Valley in Africa when Sony Pictures Home Entertainment releases the high-flying and heart-warming family adventure ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA on Blu-ray™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD exclusively at Walmart on March 26^th. From Triggerfish Animation Studios (Khumba) comes this all-new CG animated adventure about a young, high-spirited falcon that journeys to the famed bird city of Zambezia. The movie features an all-star cast led by Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine), Jeff Goldblum (Jurassic Park), Leonard Nimoy (Star Trek) and Samuel L. Jackson (Django Unchained).  

The Blu-ray ™ + DVD Combo Pack and DVD boast kid-friendly extras, including the music video ”Come Fly with Me” by Jewels Jaselle and Benj Heard, as well as four featurettes. “Birds of a Feature” looks at the different birds from South Africa who inspired the film, as well as the actors who voiced the characters.  “An African Story” ” takes a look at the story and scriptwriting process behind the film. “The Tree City” explores what it took to create an animate the Zambezia. Finally, “Technical Challenges” lets viewers discover some of the challenges of making an animated film, including designing all of the birds’ feathers.

Written by Anthony Silverston, Raffaella Delle Donne, Andrew Cook and Wayne Thornley, ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA is directed by Wayne Thornley. The film was produced by
Stuart Forrest, Mike Buckland, James Middleton and Anthony Silverston.

Executive Producers include Mace Neufeld who has produced blockbusters such as The Sum of All Fears and the Academy Award nominated Invictus, Edward Noeltner co-executive producer of the popular animated series and Internet phenomenon Happy Tree Friends, and associate producer Ned Lott (The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe) who was also the casting and voice director for ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA.

SYNOPSIS:

When a spirited young falcon named Kai (Jeremy Suarez, TV’s “The Bernie Mac Show”) learns of Zambezia, the fabulous city of birds, he leaves his remote country home against the wishes of his father (Jackson). But when his dad is captured by an evil lizard who plans to attack the city, Kai must learn the importance of teamwork if he’s to rescue his father, save his new friends and help keep Zambezia lizard free. Samuel L. Jackson, Abigail Breslin, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy give voice to this beautifully animated fun-filled adventure the whole family will enjoy!"

Blu-ray &DVD Special Features Include:

• “Come Fly with Me” music video by Jewels Jaselle and Benj Heard
• Four Featurettes
• Birds of a Feature
• An African Story
• The Tree City
• Technical Challenges

ADVENTURES IN ZAMBEZIA has a run time of approximately 82 minutes and is rated G.

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My Thoughts:

There is something about animated films about wild animals that is only fun to watch, but also relaxing.  Even though this movie never made it to the big screens, and was released straight to DVD, it is worth picking up and watching with your family. 

As we settled in to watch this recent release last weekend with my parents, who had come to visit, my mother couldn't help but compare this movie to one of Savannah's favorite animated movies, Rio.  My husband, on the hand, thought it reminded him of the Madagascar movies with the colorful animals.  However you compare this new release, you will entertained by this CG animated film, while enjoying a great story about understanding and tolerance. 

With popular voice overs including Samuel L. Jackson, Jeff Goldblum and Leonard Nimoy, made this film not only enjoyable for kids, but parents alike.

Make sure you check out the bonus features of this DVD, which include a music video, "Come Fly with Me" by Jeweles Jaselle and Benj Heard, as well as a handful of featurettes, that reveal how this film was made.  My husband and I found these featurettes thoroughly enjoyable, as we like to see how CG animated films like these go from the drawing board to the big screen. 

Overall, even though this was not a big-budget film, it really is a great film worth watching with the whole family, and one you will be happy to add to your family's movie collection.  I can't wait to watch this new release with the girls again, and see Savannah get excited with the different colorful birds that fill the screen. :-)

SONY PICTURES HOME ENTERTAINMENT

Sony Pictures Home Entertainment is a Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) company. Sony Pictures Entertainment (SPE) is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation. SPE's global operations encompass motion picture production and distribution; television production and distribution; home entertainment acquisition and distribution; a global channel network; digital content creation and distribution; operation of studio facilities; development of new entertainment products, services and technologies; and distribution of entertainment in more than 159 countries. For additional information, go to http://www.sonypictures.com/

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.