CLEC Movie Reviews

Blue bounds into her first feature-length film ready to sing. She gets sidetracked along the way, of course, but that's part of the brilliant Blue's Clues formula. Each half-hour TV show presents engaging, easy-to-grasp mini-mysteries that are within toddlers' reach. This time Blue; her huge-eyed, slightly loopy human companion, Steve; and their cadre of talking-object friends are scurrying around, preparing for a backyard music show that day. Everybody picks a number to perform; Blue's is a duet with Tickety Tock, but the clock contracts laryngitis. Who will be Blue's new partner? A game of Blue's Clues reveals the hardly reluctant replacement. The standard discovery of three clues followed by the usual wind-down song would add up to a colossal disappointment in a feature film, so substantial rounding-out is provided. Steve stumbles onto a keyboard inhabited by a note called G- Clef (the unmistakable voice of Ray Charles), who gives a tour of how to make a song. First you pick the notes, then you work on rhythm, then comes tempo, and, last but not least, "you've got to give it soul." This movie's themes include perseverance (Tickety Tock can't sing but finds a way to contribute anyway) and self-empowerment. Blue's Big Musical Movie is a feast for little eyes and ears; the sets are so colorful they hurt grown-up eyes, and the songs--especially the one that gets the Charles treatment--are all sing-along-with-me winners. --Tammy La Gorce

A delightful batch of wholesome, visual treats awaits Nick Jr. fans in Nick Jr. Holiday. Four 30-minute episodes invite preschoolers to think, emote, and enjoy the holidays. Dora and Boots (from Dora the Explorer) embark on a frosty journey to deliver "A Present for Santa." As always, they need help from their preschool audience to read Map, search Backpack, and reach their destination. Steve and Blue (of Blue's Clues) also venture into the snow. They deliver presents to jolly neighbors who teach the duo about Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa. While these two light-hearted shows inspire smiles and giggles, the Little Bill episode truly tugs at the heartstrings. As Little Bill copes with disappointment over his grandmother's Christmastime absence (travel delays), genuine emotions and empathic parenting make this episode sparkle. Nick Jr. tosses in a bonus Rugrats episode; but the effect is something like finding a rum ball among the gingerbread cookies. --Liane Thomas

This DVD contains four episodes previously released on two VHS tapes, plus the never-released prime time special "100th Anniversary Episode."

Meet Joe!
Steve's younger, and much taller brother is introduced in this pair of episodes, preparing the kids for Joe's eventual taking over of the franchise as Steve heads off to college. (And star-coproducer Steven Burns leaves the blue screen behind for the bright lights of Hollywood.) In "Joe's First Day," Steve follows the clues to find out what Joe (Donovan Patton) will bring for show-and-tell. In "Joe Gets a Clue," the passing of the baton begins as Joe learns the significance of a blue paw print, goes on his first skidoo, and is presented with his very own handy-dandy notebook by Blue. Much is made of the fact that the new notebook is shaped like the thinking chair; look for one in a store near you. Will the kids like Joe as much as their old buddy Steve? Well, Joe's got a different green shirt and more hair, but the same infectious enthusiasm. --Kimberly Heinrichs

It's Joe Time!
After hosting nearly 100 episodes of Blue's Clues, Steve is off to college. That means it's Joe time! Steve's affable younger brother Joe prepares to carry the torch--and the handy dandy notebook--that Clue Master Steve so skillfully carried for years. In episode one, Blue leads Joe on a merry chase to determine what she wants Steve to pack for college. Skidooing to an artfully drawn campus, choosing school subjects, and saying goodbye to a dear friend may well raise more questions and emotions than typical episodes. To their credit, Blue and friends bid a cheerful, tearless farewell and adjust perfectly to smilin' Joe. By the second episode, the new host and his entourage create their own "Big Book About Us," discussing favorite colors, shapes, animals, and more. As always, interaction with the 1- to 5-year-old audience coupled with simple, joyfully presented lessons make for 50 minutes of pure educational pleasure. --Liane Thomas

Rhythm and ritual reign in this jazzy duo of Blue's Clues episodes. When Blue and Joe decide to form a band in "Blue's Big Band," Tickety taps the triangle, Magenta shakes the tambourine, Sidetable raps, and Joe claps along with preschool viewers as they copy rhythms and practice careful listening to unearth the story behind the music. What instrument will Blue play? "Bedtime Business" details the bedtime routine at Blue's house, including Blue's favorite part of getting ready for bed. Viewers help identify body parts during Blue's bath and sort by pattern and color to help Blue's friends find their pajamas. Jam with Blue's big band, dance the "Toothbrush Tango," or just sit back and enjoy these two fun-filled musical stories. (Ages 2 to 6) --Tami Horiuchi

Joe and his friend Blue tackle the preschool basics of circles, rectangles, even trapezoids while sorting through Blue's hints as to where she would like most to see more shapes in "Shape Searchers." If the clues cash register, cart, and food don't add up for you, the kid chorus will help you out. The second episode finds the pair in their backyard making a "portrait of pals," a painting of their many-colored friends. But they only have primary colors, so in order to paint Orange Kitten, for instance, they have to mix red and yellow. Joe makes the most of this opportunity for a color lesson with the assistance of Shovel, who turns out to be a superb artist without the help of a brush. Who knew? (Ages 2 to 6) --Kimberly Heinrichs