Synopsis: In their latest adventure, The Wiggles Go Bananas! the fab four of fun have recorded some of their most catchy and infectious songs to date. Even pop superstar Kylie Minogue has donned a pink skivvy and joined The Wiggles to sing Monkey Man. We jump into the heart of the groovy animal kingdom with songs such as The Lion Is King, Kangaroo Jumping, Tassie Devil and The Chicken Walk. Australia’s John Waters sings Rusty The Cowboy, while Captain Feathersword sings The Dingle Puck Goat. So jump into the jivin’ jungle with the kings of pre-school swing as The Wiggles Go Bananas!
OWN IT ON DVD - July 14, 2009
The Wiggles were one of my favorite things to watch with my kids when they were younger. Now that they are a bit older (three and five) they do not seem to watch the episodes that show on television, but they are always interested in the new DVDs when they come out. I will attribute it to the fact that the new DVDs usually include new material and new songs. Each of the boys sat through The Wiggles Go Bananas! and really enjoyed it, and sitting still for that long is an accomplishment for them. When asked for their favorite songs, the three year old really enjoyed Chicken Walk and my five year old enjoyed Monkey Man. The DVD came at a very opportune time as we were driving on a family vacation. Once the DVD was in the player it was quiet time in that back seat until the DVD finished. What is also very fun about The Wiggles is that they really try to do all different styles of music with the songs, and The Wiggles Go Bananas has about 17 songs for the kids to enjoy. The overall theme of this DVD is learning about animals in a fun atmosphere, and it is true to that statement.
What makes this DVD really special though is the inclusion of the Pink Wiggle, Kylie Minogue, who is an Australian Legend. Kylie is a singer first, but also a songwriter and actress whom I first came into contact with by listening to the remake of the Goffin and King song The Loco Motion in 1988. I think this was a brilliant choice for The Wiggles as Minogue is still quite the looker with a touch of cuteness at the young age of 41, plus she can really sing with a nice complimentary style to The Wiggles. From what I understand Kylie got involved with the project for her nephew Charles who is a huge Wiggles fan. It is a shame that she does not appear on more songs on the DVD, but the Pink Wiggle is not a permanent fixture of the Wiggles.
I think the only real issue I had with the DVD was more of an adult issue and probably will not matter too much for the children. The Wiggles have moved to pretty much all green screen work with the DVDs that they put out. What happens when they put in the computer generated backgrounds is you get a blurry background when doing closeups. I am sure that the trade off is that the backgrounds are super colorful which is probably a great thing for the children that are watching.
Oh yeah I forgot to tell you my favorite song of the DVD, I am going to have to go with Monkey Man myself. Kylie just brings it for the kids. The Wiggles and the animal kingdom join together to capture your kids singing side, but it will also sneak and capture the parent. The Wiggles’ songs just stick in your head, and even as an adult I can find myself singing along sometimes. Thank goodness I am usually at home or in my car during those times. So if you have some fans of the Wiggles in your house swing on over and get the DVD . . . now.
Check out the offical site at: www.wigglesondvd.com
Special Features:
Safety Around Dogs – with Matt French of the RSPCA and Anthony Wiggle. Matt French first informs the Americans watching what the RSPCA stands for (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) and then tells Anthony and Wags about how to take care of your animal. What is really the informative part though is when Matt talks about staying safe around dogs. Really some good tips for the kids.
Bonus ‘Wiggle and Learn’ Episodes -
Dorothy the Dinosaur Bonus Episode ‘Vegetable Soup’ – Dorothy and Henry go to John the Green Grocer to get cheese, eggs, seaweed crackers, and vegetables. John , Dorothy and Henry sing the vegetable soup song and fruit salad songs, but I think the originals by The Wiggles are a bit better. Nice to give Dorothy the limelight every once in a while though.
Photo Gallery – Photos which are kinda neat, and include some behind the scenes photographs and show some of the green screen work.
