Family Feature Films

Here's our current recommended selection of family feature films that are available on DVD, in each case with a link to where you can get hold of it. As with all pages on our site the content on this one will be refreshed & amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

Night At The Museum

Larry Daley (played by Ben Stiller) is a broke and divorced dreamer whose impecunious ways have placed him in danger of losing access to his much loved son if he can't create some stability in his life. Taking a seemingly mundane job at a natural history museum he discovers both a plot to rob it of its key treasures and that the human and animal exhibits come to life on his shift. As the chaos mounts Larry can only turn to a waxwork figure of President Roosevelt (played by Robin Williams) and more importantly himself, if he is to save both the museum and his relationship with his son. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Star Wars Original Trilogy

Except for the officianado the sequence of the Star Wars films can be confusing. The first three films made, those contained in this set, are episodes 4, 5 and 6 with the more recent films acting as 'prequels' filling in the narrative to take older viewers up to the point where they first came in. For today's children and young people likely to be more familiar with the more recent films the three in this set continue the story. Essentially this is all great swashbuckling fun with George Lucas, who made the films, greatly influenced by myths from many quarters perhaps most notably, Arthurian and Samurai legends. Many of the most notable characters of the series appear in the original trilogy such as Luke Skywalker; Obi-Wan Kenobi; Darth Vader; Hans Solo; Princess Leia and Yoda. Characterised by ground breaking special effects this is epic good versus evil stuff and makes for great family entertainment. For the young fan the fourth bonus disc contains a very comprehensive documentary about the making of the film and a range of footage not available anywhere else. Available from amazon

Dr Who - The Complete 1st & 2nd Series

OK, so these Dr Who episodes are from TV rather than a movie, but the BBC's inspired decision to bring back the quirky Timelord and invest great storylines with fantastic production values makes them fantastic family viewing, and until we get our TV section up and running later in the year we believe this and a few other small screen gems are worthy of inclusion here. Both Christopher Ecclestone and more recently David Tennant have brought their brilliant acting skills to wonderful new Dr Who adventures, and the thirteen episodes featuring the former, and then the thirteen featuring the latter, that are included here are quite simply top drawer entertainment for children, young people and any adult fortunate enough to purchase this for them and make sure they're in the room when it's contents are watched. Young fans will enjoy the array of bonus interview and 'making of' materials included. Available from The BBC Shop

Pirates Of The Carribean 1 & 2

Released to coincide with the arrival on big screens of 'At World's End', the third in The Pirates Of The Carribean series, this two disc set features the first two feature length adventures of the amusing and lovable rogue that is pirate captain Jack Sparrow (played by Johnny Depp), as he variously tangles with the forces of the East India Company, other pirates and the fearsome man cum octopus Davy Jones (played by Bill Nighy). In both of these instalments - 'The Curse Of The Black Pearl' and 'Dead Man's Chest' - the plot moves quickly with numerous swashbuckling twists and turns and highly enjoyable set pieces. Captain Jack's rag bag crew are boosted by the verve of Governor's daughter Elizabeth Swann (played by Keira Knightly) and the gallant Will Turner (Orlando Bloom), each on quests of their own and with ambivalent views concerning Jack. There is the type of excitment and spectacular high seas frolics that make for an evening or afternoon of undemanding but hugely enjoyable home family entertainment. Available from Woolworths Group plc

The Secret Garden

This DVD brings together for the first time the original seven episodes of the BBC's adaptation of this children's classic. Orphaned Mary Lonnox is a spoilt and arrogant child who escapes her loneliness and finds happiness through new found friendships and a hidden overgrown garden. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Harry Potter And The Goblet Fire

In this, the fourth film outing for Daniel Radcliffe as Harry, the plot is packed with enough incident and event to please children, while Director Mike Newell makes it a more satisfying watch for adults than the predecessor films because there is more exploration here of the main protagonists' characters. Hogwarts is hosting the cream of junior Wizardry in a tournament involving its own champion and those of visiting schools. Although ineligible to participate Harry becomes involved in the competition as events spiral into full throttle. Timothy Spall as Voldemort's despicable sidekick Wormtail and Frances De La Tour, playing a larger than life French teacher, join the expanding roll call of British acting royalty appearing in the series, while the likes of Alan Rickman, Michael Gambon, Maggi Smith, Robbie Coltrane and Gary Oldman return to play their parts gloriously in this hugely enjoyable fantasy drama. Available from amazon

Eragon

Jeremy Irons' character Brom plays mentor to seventeen year old farm boy Eragon (admirably played by Ed Speleers in his first major role) when the latter finds a mysterious blue object, only to discover it is a dragon's egg. When it hatches Eragon finds himself face to face with Saphira, a bluescaled dragon whom he discovers prophecy has foretold he will team up with to reinstate a dormant battle between the justice seeking dragon riders and the wickedly oppressive King Galbatorix (played by John Malkovich). Aided by Brom and Saphira's telepathic thoughts (voiced by Rachel Weisz) Eragon does battle with the King, an ex-dragon rider gone bad, and his sorcerer advisor played by Robert Carlyle. With the line-up of major characters completed by Arya, a warrior-maiden played by Sienna Guillory, this all has the feel of a formula at work and yet while not stunningly original the film looks good and provides wholesome family fare that different generations can enjoy together. Available from filmnight.com

The Wind In The Willows

The riverbank adventures of Ratty and Mole, and their efforts in the company of Badger to help the bombastic Toad re-gain his grand house from squatting weasels and stoats, is given an imaginative adaptation here in this all star cast live action version which is as refreshing as it is superb. The Kenneth Graham classic and childhood favourite is here brilliantly presented with the actors taking on the characteristics and subtly echoing in their appearance the animals they play. This was a joy when screened as the centre peice of the BBC's Christmas offerings in 2006 and now on DVD release it is destined to surely become the definitive version of this timeless tale. Matt Lucas simply is Toad while Bob Hoskins, Mark Gattis and Lee Ingelby excel as Badger, Rat and Mole respectively. There are lovely performances too from Imelda Staunton and a range of other distinguished actors, and a great bonus 'making of' feature providing reflections on how this wonderful venture was put together. Rarely does the same drama provide such exquisite entertainment for both children and adults as is provided here in what is top quality family entertainment. Available from filmnight.com

Arthur And The Invisibles

This is a really enjoyable part live action and part animated family film experience because of the mixture of invention, fun and drama director Luc Besson managed to invest it with. Arthur lives with his grandparents whose house is under threat from greedy proprty developers. All will be well if the family can only come up with enough money to safeguard their home, which should be no problem given that Arthur's grandfather has told him about a vast treasure. The problem is the grandfather has disappeared and all Arthur knows is that the treasure has something to do with little people the old man is acquainted with, who are so small they're considered invisible. Following a series of clues Arthur finds his way to the little people's magical realm in a quest to find both his grandfather and the treasure. Finding that, like his own, the little people's home is in danger, in their case from a wicked wizard, Arthur must team up with a feisty princess if the forces of evil in both their lives are to be kept at bay. Mia Farrow; Snoop Dog, David Bowie and Madonna each play their part in this engaging adventure story. Available from dvdi.co.uk