children's Animation On DVD

Here's our recommended selection of some of the best of animated children's films available on DVD. Together with their sheer quality these movies share the distinct advantage of bearing repeat viewings by adults. The description of each featured item includes a link to a merchant who sells it and related material. As with all pages on our site the content on this one will be refreshed & amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

THE BFG

Truly delightful adaptation of Roald Dahl's wonderful book of the same name. Sophie is a young girl living in an orphanage until she is taken by the Big Friendly Giant of the title to his world, where she sees that the BFG isn't like his fellow giants in that he doesn't eat children, and spends his time catching sweet dreams to distribute to youngsters at night. When the time comes for the BFG to take Sophie back home one of the blood-thirsty giants follow them. Against mounting stakes, the BFG and Sophie approach the Queen of England to help stop the evil giants' plans to gobble up children. In many ways this is the most engaging of the film versions of Dahl's various books, though the DVDs of 'Danny Champion Of The World', 'The Witches', 'Matilda' and the most recent version of ' Charlie And The Chocolate Factory', which stars Johnny Depp are all entertaining too. Available from Amazon

SPIRITED AWAY

Deserved winner of the 2003 Oscar for Best Animated Feature, this is the story of Chihiro, a ten year old girl, shocked out of the impression that the world revolves around her when her parents decide to move house. The new neighbourhood includes a mysterious tunnel which Chihiro and her parents enter only to find themselves in the realm of Yubaba the Enchantress. Separated from her parents, our heroine must face her fears and meet the challenges presented to her by assorted witches, gods and monsters in the Land Of Spirits if she is to rescue herself and her family from the peril they are in. Produced by the hugely creative and accomplished Studio Ghibli, any of whose DVDs such as 'Howl's Moving Castle' we wholeheartedly recommend, 'Spirited Away' carries a PG certificate and is likely to be too scary for most children under 7, while older kids will find this entrancing. Available from selectcheaper.com

HERCULES

Amusing, imaginative and action packed musical that plays around with various pieces of Greek mythology to give us this tale featuring the physically super strong mortal Hercules, as he embarks on a quest to impress his father, the god Zeus, into considering him a hero. Despite the support of personal trainer Phil, voiced by Danny de Vito, Hercules is tricked by the underworld god Hades who has plans to take over Mount Olympus. Now in this coming of age tale Hercules is faced by a choice which will determine if he does indeed becomes a true hero. Watch out for the gospel singing Muses whose blues lift the film into a different class for adult viewers. Available from selectcheaper.com

Over The Hedge

By 2006, when this excellent film got its big screen showing, the boom in animation, fuelled by the select group of movies that had managed to deliver high quality entertainment for kids, based on real imagination and depth and provide the quality of sustained wit necessary to make for an enjoyable experience for adults, had led to an avalanche of movies that were mediocre to dire. 'Over The Hedge' proved an exception to this increasingly lazy and exploitative trend, being a genuinely funny film from beginning to end by creating an interesting situation sustained by quality observational humour. BJ, a manipulative racoon (voiced by Bruce Willis) and a range of other creatures, wake from hibernation to find half their woodland home replaced by a suburban haven for humans, When BJ, who has motivations very much his own, persuades the other animals that the new situation represents a food bonanza because of the rich pickings to be had from the 'two legs' on the other side of the towering hedge that separates their two world, the scene is set for conflict and a sideways look at how we live now which whilst pertinent remains playfully acute rather than preachy. Available from amazon

TOY STORY

Enormously inventive adventure boasting a host of memorable characters, a truly fabulous storyline and witty dialogue, Toy Story reinvented Childrens' feature animation with its technical brilliance when it first appeared in 1995. Led by Woody the cowboy, Andy's toys lead a life of their own when they are not in his gaze. The arrival of birthday present gadget toting spaceman Buzz Lightyear causes ripples and jealousy in the playroom. When a series of events conspires to cast Woody and Buzz adrift in the outside world they must learn to set their differences aside in order to work together to get back home. The toy destroying Sid is just one obstacle the heroic pair must overcome if they are not to be lost forever, as Andy's family are moving and neither Buzz nor Woody know where to. The 1999 follow up Toy Story 2 maintained the quality of the original, and the voices of Tom Hanks, Tim Allen, and other distinguished members of the original cast. Available from filmnight.com

THE IRON GIANT

Directed by Brad Bird, who later went on to make 'The Incredibles', this must see film successfully adapts poet Ted Hughes book by creating a movie that is fun and moving in turn. When young Hogarth becomes friends with a massive robot he conceals his find from both his mother and a deranged government agent .As it becomes evident that the Iron Giant is no ordinary robot, Hogarth and his new outsized pal are aided by a local off beat scrap merchant in their efforts to elude the encroaching net of the official forces ranged against them. The film climaxes with an exquisitely tender ending. There is no preaching here, yet the film manages to explore a range of major themes, such as being a misunderstood outsider, whilst remaining a highly engaging and accomplished piece of story telling. Available from dvd.co.uk

SHREK

Totally brilliant entertainment for kids and adults alike, as the grumpy but endearing green ogre of the title aided by a sidekick talking donkey goes on a quest to rescue the independently minded Princess Fiona from a fire breathing dragon. Packed with recognisable fairy tale characters the film has tremendous fun with folk tale conventions and is blessed with a superb script which brims with quality jokes. Based on a book by William Steig and taking Dreamworks four years to make, the voices of Mike Myers as Shrek, Eddie Murphy as Donkey and Cameron Diaz as Fiona are perfect. The follow up Shrek 2 didn't disappoint, adding a spectrum of new characters that include Antonio Banderos sending up his performance in Zorro as a swashbuckling cat. With Shrek 3 screening in the summer of 2007 (see our coming soon page) and Shrek 4 in the pipeline, one can only hope the towering creativity of the first movie is maintained. Available from dvd.co.uk

ROBOTS

This highly entertaining adventure about friendship and remaining true to your dreams is set in a spectacular world of machines who are alive. One of these is young Rodney Copperbottom (voiced by Ewan McGregor), who dreams of getting beyond the confines of his humble origins by taking his inventions to the benevolent Mr Big Weld in Robot City. By becoming a success, he hopes to make his down trodden father proud of him. Discovering a plot led by the wicked Ratchet, who wants only top grade robots in an upgraded future, Rodney sides with the Rusties, robots dependent on spare parts, who face extinction if Ratchet's plans prevail. Immersed in new found companionship Rodney falls in love with Cappy (voiced by Halle Berry) and is aided by Bender (voiced by Robin Williams) as he spearheads efforts to find the vanished Mr Big Weld and thwart Ratchet. Available from filmnight.com

MULAN 2

Unlike many Disney sequels which too often fail to match the quality of the original, Mulan 2 provides solidly enjoyable family entertainment. We catch up with young Chinese heroine Fa Mulan a month after she has saved her country. Respected by all for her brave and determined exploits that formed the first film's storyline, she accepts the proposal of General Li Sang. Their romantic plans go on hold however, when the Emperor entrusts the pair to take his three princess daughters to arranged marriages that will benefit his kingdom. Meanwhile, sensing that his time as Mulan's guardian dragon will end with her forthcoming wedding, Mushu sets out to drive the pair apart. Discovering that, unlike herself who has exercised choice, her young charges are not looking forward to their approaching weddings Mulan is faced with a history changing dilemna. While not as brilliant as the first film this is nevertheless a worthy follow up. Available from selectcheaper.com

The Adventures Of Tintin

There have been a number of attempts to animate the wonderful comic book adventures that Belgian artist Herge created featuring the investigative boy journalist Tintin, his trusty canine sidekick Snowy and the palette of unforgettable support characters such as Captain Haddock that populated the two dozen or so timeless stories they featured in. For our money the most true to Herge's original feel and overall best ones to date are the five volume DVD series, each of which contains 4 adventures, we feature here. Volume 1 (pictured) provides aroung two and three quarter hours of viewing brilliance which is broadly echoed by the others in the series. While the news that Stephen Spielberg and Peter Jackson are planning to jointly make three feature length films based on Tintin's adventures is a mouth watering prospect, until their intentions bear fruit, anyone viewing these versions with their children will be offering them something very special indeed. Available from amazon

Flushed Away

Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman combine their style and characterisation with Dreamworks' computer animation expertise, which gave rise to the Toy Story and Shrek movies, to produce this comedy. The upper crust society mouse Roddy is pitched out of his pampered existence above ground in London into the sewer world of Ratroplis. Meeting the enterprising scavenger Rita amidst this distinctly rough and tumble world Roddy wants home and she wants paid to get him there. This 'tail of two cities' pits their attempts to reunite Roddy with the luxury he is accustomed to against the will of some decidedly dim rodent gangsters and their powerful Mr Big. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Happy Feet

Mumble, unlike other Emperor penguins, was simply born to dance, something he persists in doing despite the disapproval of the powers-that-be who judge his tap dancing to be beyond the pale and accordingly banish him. Out in the big bad cold world beyond the physical safety and comfort afforded by his home tribe, Mumble decides he must be true to himself if he is to survive in the only way that really matters. Embarking on an epic journey he discovers that his difference is something to treasure and that his talents can change the world when they play a part in saving his tribe from the starvation that threatens them. While this is a tale that champions the well trodden territory of self acceptance and resisting merely blending in and conforming, 'Happy Feet' invigorates these themes with panache thanks to the skilled guiding hand of Director George Miller who injects scenes provoking great joy amongst audiences throughout the film, and due to the high quality of performances, most notably from Elijah Wood who voices Mumble and Robin Williams who gives voice to the Spanish music infused little blue penguin who backs the leading protagonist up. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Howl's Moving Castle

Few films are more spellbinding, in every sense, than this. Magical plot, brilliant characterisation and gorgeous artwork envelope both child and adult viewers in the cloak of masterful storytelling that is the hallmark of every aspect of this sumptuous animated movie. Adapted from a novel by fantasy writer Dianna Wynne Jones, this is the tale of quiet Sophie who unintentionally attracts the malevolent attention of an unpleasant witch who turns the girl into an old woman. Seeking a return to her own form Sophie goes in search of the mysterious magician Howl who travels around in a fantastical castle. Told in English, this is the work of Japanese masters of traditional animation who, in 'Howl's Moving Castle', conjured a film that will enrich the childhood of all youngsters fortunate enough to see it and inevitably come under its wonderful enchantment. Available from Amazon

Charlotte's Web

Only out on DVD since May 2007 this is a beautifully made, poignant yet humourous heart warming family drama which sensitively adapts E B White's wonderful classic tale about how the friendship and love of a young girl, aided by a literate spider, keeps Wilbur the pig alive. Dakota Fanning plays Fern the youngster who initially saves the little runt from a nasty fate and then manages to secure temporary safe haven for him on her uncle's farm. Still he is under threat from a trip to 'the smoke house' in the medium term, so that the messages woven into her webs by Charlotte the spider (voiced by Julia Roberts) praising the pig and making the farm famous are what clinches his life. The U certificate is testimony to the deft direction of Gary Winick who keeps potentially upsetting themes for small children manageable by them. Julia Roberts, who surprisingly succeeds in imbuing Charlotte with the maternal feelings and longings that so powerfully motivate her character, is joined by an astonishing all star cast that includes the voices of amongst others Robert Redford, Oprah Winfrey, John Cleese and Steve Bescemi. The film uses a triumphant mixture of computer generated animation and live animals and wisely steers clear of the songs that characterised the 1973 film version. This is truly a wonderful experience to share as a family. Available from dvd.co.uk

BROTHER BEAR

This genuinely heart warming tale set in the wilderness of the Northwestern United States follows the epic journey of Kenai the youngest of three brothers who ignores his ancestral teachings by seeking vengeance. Tracking down and killing the bear that took his brother's life, Kenai is transformed by the great spirits into a bear himself. Seeing life through his enemies eyes he embarks on a quest that is as spiritual as it is physical. Available from dvd.co.uk