Dragons: Riders of Berk Volume 1, Ep. 1 "How to Start a Dragon Review

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We received "Dragons: Riders of Berk" today. It is just 4 episodes, but only 10 episodes have actually aired to date. It's still 88 minutes of awesomeness. We had watched a few of these on Cartoon Network and found that it was impressive for a TV series.

Episodes on this DVD:

How to Start a Dragon Academy

Viking for Hire

Animal House

The Terrible Twos

This DVD came with 5 trading cards with the main dragons featured and included fun facts about them. Those were a big hit with my child who is crazy about dragons. You can, also, use the Dream Works APP on them where it "brings the dragon cards to life" which I have yet to do.

Bottom line: If your child is a How to Train Your Dragon Fan and/or you're looking for a little side gift for the holiday season then this is a winner (if you can get it for the $9.99 price).

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Dragons: Riders of Berk Part 1 picks up following the events of the feature film How to Train Your Dragon (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Dragon Double Pack) [Blu-ray] and the holiday special DreamWorks Dragons: Gift of the Night Fury / Book of Dragons Double Pack (Two-Disc Blu-ray/DVD Combo + Online Video Game). Luckily many of the original voice cast from the feature film return to voice their characters in this Cartoon Network TV Series. The few voices that had to be recast are masterfully done to where they sound very much like their feature film counterparts. Beyond the voice acting, the stories & animation present in this 1st season are top-notch and are a great way to pass the time until the 2nd feature film due out in 2014. One touch I like is how Hiccup narrates the beginning & end of the episodes as he did in the original film.

Part 1 consists of 2 discs with the 1st 11 episodes of season 1; each episode running approximately 22 1/2 minutes. Each disc features a "play all" function for the episodes. The dvd case comes with a slipcover and has two slips inside: one is a code for the Ultimate Battle Pack to be used in the online/mobile game School of Dragons (limited time offer); the other is a coupon good for $3 off on a new Defenders of Berk Action Dragon Toy (coupon valid from 7/30/13 to 1/31/14). The final 9 episodes of season 1 can be found on Dragons: Riders of Berk Part 2

I personally am very pleased with the video & audio presentation of the episodes. The audio is available only in English with Dolby Digital 5.1; subtitles are available in English, Spanish, and French. As with most, if not all, DreamWorks releases one of the special features is the World of DreamWorks Animation which features sneak peeks into other DreamWorks animation properties. Another Sneak Peeks section also includes some other animation theatrical trailers as well as a look at the Dragon toys for which the included coupon can be used. "Dragon Tracker Part 1" provides an overview of the 4 new types of dragons introduced in the included 11 episodes. "Evolution of Thunderdrum" is a behind the scenes look at the creation of one of these new dragons. The final bonus feature is a music video titled "Heavy Metal" Dragon Mash-Up.

The actual episodes on the 2 discs are as follows:

1) How to Start a Dragon Academy

2) Viking for Hire

3) Animal House

4) The Terrible Twos

5) In Dragons We Trust (part 1 of a 2 part episode)

6) Alvin and The Outcasts (part 2 of a 2 part episode)

7) How to Pick Your Dragon

8) Portrait of Hiccup as a Buff Man

9) Dragon Flower

10) Heather Report Part 1

11) Heather Report Part 2

Unfortunately for purchasers of the Dragons: Riders of Berk dvd premiere, the 4 episodes on that disc are repeated here; on the plus side that single disc release did include 5 exclusive dragon trading cards.

Regarding my rating of 4 stars, I based it mainly upon a semi-weak selection of bonus features. It would have been nice to see much more substantial behind the scenes features on the animation & voice talent behind this wonderful series along with possibly some deleted/abandoned scenes/story ideas and some episode commentaries. Offering the series in Blu-ray would have been good, too, as well as a single full season release vs 2 separate volumes.

The series, itself, I rate 5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who is a fan of the original film. And while it would have been great to have a single full season release, don't let that stop you from picking up this terrific series; the pricing is reasonable enough to allow for purchasing both volumes. Plus you'll want to get ready for the start of season 2: Defenders of Berk which begins in September. And if you haven't seen the original feature film yet, why not??? It's definitely recommended viewing and should be seen before beginning the TV series; trust me: you'll love it!

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If you enjoyed the fist movie in this series, How To Train Your Dragon, or have been reading the book series by the same name, you will love this new addition to the mix. This DVD has some great episodes filled with both adventure and fun. I have to say that I was not even aware that they had made this into a series until I was able to review this DVD, and after seeing it, I wish I had knows, as the episodes were great(and so funny).

You also have the opportunity to see and interact with some amazing new dragons that were not in the movie, which was a lot of fun as I am always impressed with the characteristics and personalities that the artists at Dreamworks have come up with, as they are all so unique which make watching this series and the original movie so much fun to watch.

Overall though this DVD is worth watching, as it adds much to the overall How To Train Your Dragon series, and I, for one, hope that they will continue this series in the future!

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My children loved the How to Train Your Dragon movie and they were so excited to see the legend would carry on with the new series, Dragons, Rider of Berk. Join Hiccup and Toothless through four all new adventures on the small screen. You'll see your old favorites, but you'll also get to meet some fun new characters, including new dragons. So far, the series has started out with a bang. I love how the show is loaded with excitement and adventure, but contains minimal violence so the series is appropriate for kids of all ages.My son has watched it at least five times in the week since it arrived.

Episodes on this DVD include:

How to Start a Dragon Academy

Viking for Hire

Animal House

The Terrible Twos

The DVD set also comes with five cool trading cards that kids can collect and that work along with the free app that was mentioned above. All in all, a this DVD is an awesome deal and fun for the whole family.

***I received a copy of this film in exchange for a fair review. All opinions are my own. See more reviews on my blog, New Age Mama***

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This "exclusive DVD premiere" is a great preview of the television series Dragons: Riders of Berk. The series is based on the film "How to Train Your Dragon" and is set after the special "Gift of the Nightfury". This DVD contains 4 episodes from the television show as well as an in depth special about the live spectacular. The voices of Hiccup, Astrid, Fishlegs, and Tuffnut are the same actors from the movie, which to me made this even better. For the character's whose actors couldn't do the television series, I couldn't even tell the difference. I like that this series features all of the teens more and we also learn about new dragons, in preparation for the announced movies planned for 2013 and 2016.

Because this is a premiere, it does not contain all of the episodes of the first season. They haven't all aired yet on tv, so I feel this is to test the waters. When the first season has aired, I would certainly consider buying it on DVD.

Scourge of Worlds - A Dungeons & Dragons Adventure (2003) Review

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If you enjoyed those 'Choose your own adventure books' when you were a kid, or your kids read those now, and you like fantasy, this dvd is for you.

As far as games go, its very simple. You watch a small cinematic and then choose what you want the group or character to do from a given menu of options. Thats really it. Don't expect more than that.

The graphics are pretty. The characters personalities are sorta campy, but all in all a pretty good effort.

Supposedly there are 990+ combinations of stories. I have not, nor will I ever see them all. However, that isn't such a bad thing as I can come back to this DVD time and time again and the story will probably change every time.

Its a nice thing to have for game night as it provides a short break from what ever games your group normally plays.

If you like to watch movies more than once, and enjoy choose your own adventure, this is a great dvd for you.

If you expect gripping combat and lots of action, this will not do it for you.

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Having seen the final version of this DVD at the GAMA trade show (a trade show for game manufacturers and retailers), I must say that I am blown away by the innovative use of DVD technology here.

Basically, what this company has done is made a D&D themed, fully animated (using motion capture for realistic movement think Gollum in the LotR movies) "Choose your own adventure" style DVD.

You dictate the path of the main adventuring party (comprised of iconic D&D characters) as they try to unravel a mystery behind a group of elves, a cleric, and a key. Choose correctly, and you will save the world. Choose poorly, and you will die.

Common run time start to finish is about 45 minutes, but this can be longer or shorter depending on the path you take. I was told that there are TONS (I believe the number was in the hundreds) of distinct paths you can take from start to finish, and the overall quality of the graphics, voice acting and animation are GREAT!

I plan on getting this as a thing to do during those late night parties. Yelling at the TV and telling the characters what to do will become a staple entertainment again in my house.

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Concept:

Although touted as an "Interactive Video," a better name for it would be, "An Endless Quest DVD."

Storyline:

You play a Human Fighter, who, along with his Elf Mage and Halfling Rogue companions, are on a quest to stop a Lawfully Good Cleric who's been duped by a Lawfully Evil Cleric from obtaining an evil weapon of immense power.

Note:

This Endless Quest Adventure requires some background knowledge of AD&D in order for it to be truly enjoyable. Elementals, Beholders, Druids, Stinking Clouds, Magic Missiles, Fireballs, and the like are used throughout the adventure, but none are explained.

Graphics:

The scenery, characters, and special effects are about the same quality as in the AD&D computer game "Pool of Radiance: Ruins of Myth Drannor."

Audio:

The audio quality is excellent, and the dialog has the typical bravado that fantasy games and movies usually have.

Dynamics:

As a movie, the constant breaks for decisions can get annoying.

Each section runs anywhere from 1-9 minutes.

As an Endless Quest Adventure, it follows the genre quite faithfully, and succeeds as such.

Opinion:

As a fan of the old "Endless Quest" novels, I really enjoy this DVD.

(Many of my "Endless Quest" novels have begun falling apart from the constant flipping back and forth through their pages.)

And, as with most "Endless Quest" Adventures, dying is the easiest thing you can do.

I've run through the entire adventure in as little as 20 minutes, and as long as 50 minutes.

The characters run the gammit of the types one expects in the AD&D universe.

The Fighter is boulsterous, the Cleric is Righteous, the Elf Mage is wise, the Halfling Rogue is witty, the Druid is single-minded, etc.

All-in-all, a fun group to adventure with.

Conclusion:

I highly recommend this DVD to fans of the old "Endless Quest" novels.

For other AD&D fans, the adventure may be to short, and probably, even a bit dull.

But for those who are new to AD&D, it will give some basic insights into the AD&D universe, and help one to understand the appeal of the game.

Additional:

There ARE 4 endings, contrary to what other reviewers have said.

(If you skip through the chapters you will never see the 4th ending.)

1st Ending: EASIEST :Everyone Dies, and the Evil Cleric gets the weapon.

2nd Ending: MEDIUM :Good Cleric Dies, and the Evil Cleric doesn't get the weapon.

3rd Ending: HARD :Everyone Dies when the weapon is activated.

4th Ending: VERY HARD :Everyone Lives, and the Evil Cleric doesn't get the weapon.

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I am curious as to whether or not any of my fellow reviewers have ever actually played the game? This movie was not made to stand on its own, it was made as a supplement to the D and D universe. The characters of Mialee, Lidda, and Redgar are iconic characters who have been known to D and D gamers for several years. The story is not really meant to tell the background of the characters or how they got together, rather it is designed to tell a part of their story, one of the many of adventures that the group had together. Personally, I liked the movie. Yes there are only 4 endings but, what do you want from them? This is the first D and D choose your own adventure DVD, and in fact the first choose you own adventure DVD I have seen. I have watched the story 6 different times each time garnering new information and have yet to get to the forth ending. If one was so inclined they could go through the movie a dozen times and still probably not see every scene combination available. As for people who buy it and are dissapointed because its a poor game, news flash...its not a game. It is a DVD choose your own adveture story based on a game. I liked being able to watch the movie and recognize Mialee casting a fireball, or the group fighting a earth elemental summoned by a druid. Yes it is a very basic concept of the game but, thats all it was meant to be. A first time shot in the dark to see how people react to such a concept. Anyways I highly reccomend this movie to anyone who plays D and D or similar fantasy RPG's. Just keep it mind this isn't the best fantasy story out there but its is definatly a good start to the choose your own adventure genre.

Calsun

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I have been a fan of choose your own adventures since the earliest novels I read as a kid. I still own those books, and I will cherish them always. Though this DVD isn't as memorable as those novels, it is a great way to spend a few hours.

This DVD makes use of your remote to allow you to choose from a number of different story paths. Though the package states there are 900+ combinations, it would be better said that it is about 4 hours worth of viewing. In my eyes, this is a huge amount of time for such a simple, yet interesting story.

Like any first attempt, Scourge could have used more options and a more detailed plot. However, I think the best addition would be to not stop the action while making choices, but to have the characters continue debating or the fights continue while you decide what to do. The pauses are annoying because they detract from the pacing of the movie, but these stops can be overlooked in light of the uniqueness of this DVD.

All in all, Scourge of Worlds is a great first attempt at creating a movie that the viewer can control, but it is a movie that will be watched once then gather dust on a shelf. Due to this, I would highly suggest renting it if possible.