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The Fox and the Hound 2 by Dick Huemer, Jim Kammerud
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DVD detailsActor: George Johnson, Harrison Fahn, Jonah Bobo, Patrick Swayze, Reba McEntire Director: Dick Huemer, Jim Kammerud Brand: Fox Producer: Catherine A. Jones Producer: Danielle Legovich Writer: Daniel P. Mannix Writer: Otto Englander Writer: Rich Burns Writer: Roger S.H. Schulman DVD: Region Code 1 Audio: English (Unknown), Dolby Digital 5.1; English (Original Language), Dolby Digital 5.1 Format: Full Screen, NTSC, Surround Sound Picture Format: 1.78:1 Running Time: 69 minutes Published: 2006-12-01 DVD Release Date: 2006-12-12 Audience Rating: G (General Audience) Studio: Walt Disney Video Product features: - Get ready to go a little bit country with Disney's all-new motion picture THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2. The music of today's hottest stars is center stage in thisic tale of friendship and loyalty. Tod and Copper still go together like an itch and a scratch, but when Copper gets a shot at the big time with a nutty group of hound dog howlers, their purebred friendship is put to the test. Experien
DVD Reviews of The Fox and the Hound 2DVD Review: Surprisingly good. Summary: 5 Stars
For once I was expecting total disappointment and got better than I ever would have hoped for. Yes, this is a "midquel," but once you've seen the (incredible) first you can sort of imagine where these events might fit in. This has its own climax and all, but the plot fits within the original's parameters. It might not make 100% sense, but to go back and do something like this is pretty tough. It's all right.
So, what's good about The Fox and the Hound 2? Much more than anyone expects. First, the obvious animation. It, and the scenery, are wonderful. Bright, bold, shiny, fresh colors, detailed and true-to-the-first backdrops. Very expressive characters who are just delightful to watch--the way the dogs move is fantastic and well done. Obviously the animation is not perfect; it never is in ANY animated film. There will always be flawed frames. But for a Disney sequel of all things, this certainly seems top-knotch.
As to the country music, well, even if you're not normally a fan, there is nothing to dislike about the movie's songs. Particularly "Good Doggie, No Bone." (Great song. Like "Streets of Gold," it's sung to a young animal to educate them about something [it's really about herself, and what she's learned the hard way about relationships and being 'at the top.'] And ain't that what life is, too, though? "It's all, `Good doggie,' but no bone!") They're nicely done by stars from the heart of country music, as explained on the DVD bonus feature.
And the story? Surprisingly great too; good dialogue, witty and humorous bits, good character development. None, or very little of, the usual sequel hokiness and cheese I'd anticipated. The story of the county fair and Singin' Strays band is actually very believable. There are so many highlights it's hard to remember them all, but the scene near the end, in which the group performs for a jolly talent scout outside a quaint, old-fashioned diner comes to mind for one. The setting just helps to make the story work; that little diner is so cute, and so perfect for the scene.
I'm still dismayed to see sneak peeks for Cinderella 3 and The Little Mermaid 3 on the DVD, but at least this movie gives me hope that somebody still may know what they're doing making these sequels. Then again, this movie was almost tailored directly to me. More than anything I am a sucker for singing and dancing dogs: show me a film centered around that, and you've got me. I like to imagine a world where everyone's a dog and there are musicians along the lines of the Singin' Strays anyway, but even without such a love for this type of thing, you can appreciate the movie. It stands well enough on its own. But I'm saving the best parts for last.
Yes, it's pretty original; far from perfect, of course, but I won't run down all of the weaker points because as with any sequel, there are many. However, they don't drag down the big picture. Tod and Copper are naturally your young and precious main characters, but Chief, Widow Tweed and Amos Slade haven't been left out--or ruined, either. Chief is especially well animated and a good source of humor (and kinda resembles Tramp.) The one character, though, who in my opinion really makes the movie great--in fact she makes the movie--is Dixie. When I first saw her and Cash on the cover, my impression was: `OMG! It's Dodger and Rita from `Oliver and Company' redone!' Because Cash's bandana HAS to be an homage to Dodger. And Dixie has that same sort of look as Rita, perhaps somewhat more polished (which is my favorite 'look' in the world and when I see such a character, it's instant Favorite)--seriously, she's her cover-art twin.
Well, turns out Dixie is something like the country cousin of Sasha LaFleur, another sequel-starring performer and Rita-type. (There's a proud little tradition of animated Saluki-like dogs, of which Rita, Sasha, & Dixie are the main representatives, which I have adored with a strong passion since childhood!) Dixie also has her similarities with Georgette, the Oliver & Company Poodle. A force to be reckoned with and of course the love interest of Cash, she's the most interesting character. Thanks to show business, her and Cash's relationship is a very rocky road. Visually Dixie, like her predecessors, is an amazing character to watch; the way she moves and dances just perfectly captures how you'd want to look if you were a dog--at least, how I would! She steals every scene she's in, & has an awesome personality that includes a devious streak, and I'm glad she's such a central character. Her song is probably the best part of the film. In fact, this movie probably should have been a separate, Singin Strays-centric non-sequel. So to wrap up, this movie basically blew me away--two thumbs up just for stunning me.
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Description of The Fox and the Hound 2Get ready to go a little bit country with Disney's all-new motion picture THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2. The music of today's hottest stars is center stage in this classic tale of friendship and loyalty. Tod and Copper still go together like an itch and a scratch, but when Copper gets a shot at the big time with a nutty group of hound dog howlers, their purebred friendship is put to the test. Experience an irresistible adventure featuring the stellar voice talent of Reba McEntire, Patrick Swayze, and Jeff Foxworthy and bursting with original music by Trisha Yearwood, Lucas Grabeel, and many more. THE FOX AND THE HOUND 2 combines music and comedy in perfect harmony. Developing close friendships and nurturing a positive self esteem are two major challenges along the road to growing up. In this Disney sequel to The Fox and the Hound, Tod (a young fox voiced by Jonah Bobo) and Copper (a bloodhound voiced by Harrison Fahn) are the best of friends. When Copper bemoans the fact that he can't seem to do anything right, Tod reassures him that eventually he'll find something at which he excels and invites him to the fair. Opportunity knocks when a vocal dog group called "The Singing Strays" looses its lead singer Dixie (voiced by Reba McEntire) and Copper discovers that he's a really good singer. Unfortunately, Copper's newly discovered fame leaves Tod feeling jealous and abandoned and threatens to destroy the pair's close friendship. Will a close examination of what's really important in life be enough to set things right between Tod and Copper? This engaging, 69-minute animated Disney movie features original music performed by Grammy-winning country music star Reba McEntire as well as the voice talents of Patrick Swayze and Jeff Foxworthy. (Ages 3 and older) --Tami Horiuchi
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