Today’s home video releases offer something for animation fans of all ages. In addition to Universal Home Video’s The Chronicles of Ridick: Dark Fury, new offerings include Disney’s Teacher’s Pet feature and another jam-packed season of Fox’s hit TV comedy, The Simpsons.
After a brief and disappointing theatrical run, Disney’s vastly entertaining feature-length treatment of the popular ABC and Disney Channel animated series, Teacher’s Pet, arrives on shelves today. The film features the voice talents of Nathan Lane in the title role of Spot, a loveable dog who wants nothing more than to be a human boy. He disguises himself as a two-legged child and goes to school with his biped pal, Shaun. He even cons his way into a school trip to Florida, where he hopes to find a scientist who claims he can turn animals into humans.
Frasier‘s Kelsey Grammer gives voice to the demented Dr. Krank. Jerry Stiller and David Ogden Stiers reprise the roles of parrot Jolly and cat Pretty Boy, fellow pets who must come to the rescue when things go terribly wrong for Spot and Shaun. Estelle Harris, Paul Reubens, Megan Mullally, Shaun Fleming, Jay Thomas and Wallace Shawn fill out the voice cast.
Teacher’s Pet was directed by series helmer Timothy Björklund and showcases the eccentric visual style of artist and series creator Gary Baseman. Bonus features on the disc include the series premiere episode, deleted scenes, a music video and song selection.
The Simpsons Season Four four-disc set contains 22 installments of the longest-running animated television series in history. Episodes include "Kamp Krusty," "A Streetcar Named Marge," "Homer the Heretic," "Lisa the Beauty Queen," "Treehouse of Horror III," "Itchy & Scratchy: The Movie," "Lisa’s First Word," "Homer’s Triple Bypass," "Duffless" and "So It’s Come to This: A Simpsons Clip Show," to name a few. Extras include commentary on all episodes, Easter egg bonus commentary and sketches, deleted scenes, a word from Matt Groening, "The Cajun Controversy," a promotional syndication reel and the featurette, Bush vs. Simpson. There are also animation showcases featuring picture in picture, storyboards, animatics and commercials. The set retails for $49.98.
