The Doctor is in . . . on DisneyXD!

That's right Doctor, you're on Disney!

We are huge fans of "Doctor Who" here at the blog and boy do we have exciting news! The David Tennant seasons of "Doctor Who" will be airing on DisneyXD! The news comes from Variety.

DisneyXD will air seasons two through four starting with "New Earth" preview on May 9. The series will continue to roll out daily starting June 13.

“Disney XD is recognized for its family-friendly programming, making the channel a great partner to introduce the David Tennant seasons of ‘Doctor Who’ to a new generation of viewers,” said Matt Forde, exec VP of sales and co-productions in TV at BBC Worldwide North America, in a statement.

The Doctor has been through almost all of time and space and now he's landing on DisneyXD for a new generation. It's hard not to fall in love with the Doctor. The Doctor will be a wonderful addition to the DisneyXD line-up which is currently crowded with comedies that remain a little lackluster. Doctor Who will bring some much needed action, adventure, and timey-wimeyness to the channel. The brilliant stories (Blink, for instance), wit, and intelligence will inspire viewers and maybe even challenge their conceptions of time and space . . . and statues. 

So tune in and whatever you do . . . don't blink!

Review: Star Vs. the Forces of Evil

Star Vs. the Forces of Evil

DisneyXD

Monday night saw the premiere of Star Vs. the Forces of Evil, created by Daron Nefcy on DisneyXD.  I have to admit that the theme song is quite catchy and easily gets stuck in your head. The opening is manic, bright, and filled with rainbows and puppies. The show is 22 minutes with two eleven minute episodes with single plots.

The show is about Star Butterfly (voiced by Eden Sher) a princess from another dimension called Mewni. She is exiled to Earth by her parents and quickly falls in with Marco Diaz (voiced by Adam McArthur). Star wields a magical wand, one with powers she has yet to master, and Marco is a safety nut who knows karate. Also, there are puppies with laser eyes.

The first episode introduces the main characters, the main settings, and the main plot. For some reason, a little bird like creature named Ludo (voiced by Alan Tudyk) wants to take over the universe, and to do so he needs Star's wand. He has a bunch of animal lackeys that help carry out his misdeeds. Of course, the villains are completely inept.

In the second episode, we are introduced to the rather brash Flying Princess Pony Head (voiced by Jenny Slate). She is basically a floating unicorn head with dimensional scissors - scissors that can cut into any dimension. Pony Head is full of bad advice, jealousy, and is rather selfish. Star just wants her two besties, Pony Head and Marco, to be friends which leads to dimensional travel with some minor consequences. 

The show is colorful, has some fun art design, and has a cute end credits sequence. I'm hoping there is more of a story arc to the episodes that tie them all together. I like that magic is readily acceptable in the Earthly dimension, rather than something that needs to be feared or hidden. With only the first episode, it's hard to make any judgement calls now. But my first impression is that of a fun, cute show that goes for big visual jokes. Let's hope this show will be a star in the DisneyXD line-up as it grows.

Should you tune-in for episodes? That's up to you. I'm a little indifferent after the first episode. I wasn't impressed or turned-off to it. It just needs to grow a little, just like it's main character.

Welcome back to Duckberg!

In 2017 Disney XD will be reviving the classic series DuckTales. Get ready to quack-up at the antics of rich Uncle Scrooge and his nephews Huey, Dewey, and Louie, and of course Donald Duck, as they return to television for the first time in 17 years. Along with the main cast, all the supporting characters will return including, but not limited to: Duckworth, Gyro Gearloose, Launchpad McQuack, Flintheart Glomgold, Magica DeSpell & Poe, Ma Beagle and the Beagle Boys (Burger Beagle, Bouncer Beagle), Mrs. Beakley and Webbigail Vanderquack.

Disney XD Senior Vice President, Programming and General Manager Marc Buhaj remarked that the new series will bring the original show’s “same energy and adventurous spirit to a new generation.” Recently, Disney has placed Ducktales in the minds of fans by releasing the Ducktales mobile game, which is no longer available, and having Ducktales The Movie: Treasure of the Lost Lamp (one of my favorites) available as a digital download. Also, Disney Infinity has seen Ducktales characters make an appearance as well and they released a new version of the song with a live action video. All signs Ducktales is ready to make a comeback.

I know I’m excited to have one of my childhood TV shows make a comeback. 

Review: 7D Mine Train

7D Mine Train App

Last month saw the opening of the Seven Dwarfs Mine Train at the Magic Kingdom. Next month will see the premiere of 7D, the poorly named seven dwarfs cartoon series. This month, however, you can download the app called 7D Mine Train. 

The 7D Mine Train is a fast-paced game that introduces the characters from 7D (did I mention how much I dislike this name?). Players can choose a dwarf (after they are unlocked) and ride through a treacherous track to collect gems, open chests, and achieve goals. The only character available at the beginning is Sleepy.

Players are treated to a short video of their selected dwarf the first time they are selected and the video can be revisted. After a dwarf is selected the game starts. Each dwarf has a customized mine cart (in Sleepy's case, it's a bed, with Sneezy, a tissue box) and a special power (Sleepy can sleep walk . . .er, float). The mine cart races along a track that is filled with obligatory falls, spikey rocks, locked treasure chests, witch-like baddies, and gems. Avoid the rocks and the baddies, collect the gems and unlock the chests, and you've figured out the game. To jump, just tap the screen. Easy! A kid could do it! 

To help keep things fresh (and experienced gamers coming back), the game introduces goals before each excursion to the dangerous mines. The tracks are basically randomized, so each time you play, it keeps it a little fresh. There are three main backdrops for the tracks, breaking up the monotony. The sound track is fast-paced and zips along. The dialogue, though, gets a little repetitive but doesn't really take away from the experience.

Final Thoughts:

It's a simple little game with a simple purpose - expose more people, especially kids, to the new incarnations of the beloved characters from the classic film Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Does it please on all levels? I found the game to be slightly too repetitive and I'm just not a fan of the character redesigns. 

To keep players coming back, the other dwarfs will be timed releases, leading up to the premiere of the 7D show on Disney XD. Clever or diabolical?

Play the game and tell us what you thought!

Review: Ultimate Spider-Man Episodes 1 & 2

Ultimate Spider-Man premiered on Disney XD on April 1, 2012. Since then there have been two seasons with 52 episodes. We're going to start at the beginning!

"Great Power" by Paul Dini

The show introduces Peter Parker (Drake Bell) as a teenager who has been fighting crime as Spider-Man for one year. Already J. Jonah Jameson has labeled Spider-Man a public menace. In the midst of swinging around New York City, Spider-Man encounters the Trapster who was trying to draw Spidery out for some reason. After the fight, Spidey is approached by Nick Fury to train with S.H.I.E.L.D. who proceeds to compare the web head with Captain American and Iron Man (for good measure, just in case the kids weren't sure what universe we were in). I'm personally not a fan of comparing Spidey with other superheroes. Spider-Man has always been a great hero without the comparison.

Peter quickly tosses in a backstory about Uncle Ben (which I'm glad they kept in) and we understand that the series is about responsibility. Responsibility is pretty central theme for Spider-Man and seems an appropriate message for the young audience. Peter turns down Fury and goes about web slinging. The villains are introduced, Doctor Octavius (Tom Kenny) and Norman Osborn. Norman has Doc Ock spying on Spidey to learn more about the military applications of Spidey's powers.

Now for the whirlwind of backstories and introductions while at school - Mary Jane Watson, Harry Osborn, and Flash Thompson, as well as a cameo by Stan Lee as a janitor. The school is then attacked by the Frightful Four - The Wizard, Thundra, Klaw, and the Trapster (who is missing because we was caught earlier) - looking for Spider-Man. They demolish the school, catch some footage of Spidey, and hurt some people. After the cops show up, everything is cool and Spidey ends up changing his mind about S.H.I.E.L.D. after coming home and realizing he has let a number of people close to him down. Spidey realizes he can be the ultimate Spider-Man.

The show deals a lot with breaking the fourth wall and using interstitials to fill in some of Spidey's monologuing. Peter Parker is the main focus and our narrator throughout the series, letting us into his world through cartoonish fantasy sequences and Peter's inner-monologue. I think Spidey's quips are appropriate and perfect for the audience, which is probably males 8-14ish. The animation is fine, nothing spectacular.

The first episode serves its purpose - it introduces the characters, though in a rushed way, and starts to set-up the story arc and the slapstick tone of the show.

Episode 2 "Great Responsibility": Paul Dini

The second episode picks up right after the end of "Great Power." Spider-man has decided to join S.H.I.E.L.D. and must prove himself with his very first test which takes him much longer than Cpt. America, which ties the Marvel Universe together. We also get our first look at Spideys new team that is composed of other teen heroes: Nova, White Tiger, Power Man, and Iron First. They all bet against Spidey and his childishness.

Kurt Connors also gets his introduction as well, working for S.H.I.E.L.D. and developing Spider-Man themed tech, including the Spider Cycle. It gives Spidey a new edge but also kind of takes away from Peter Parkers greatest weapon which is his mind (and sarcasm). Agent Coulsen also makes a brief appearance, acting just like he does in every other Marvel production, serious and doubting Spideys abilities. Some time is spent with Spidey and the Spider-Cycle, which serves as a vehicle (get it?) to introduce the new team which Spidey refuses to join. Spider-Man has always been a solo act and I think that makes him more vulnerable, not to mention his age and tragic back story.

However, director Fury does a good job convincing Spidey to join a team and become the next Avengers. We get a fun scene with Spideys "Good Angel" and "Bad Angel" but the Frightful Four interrupt the scene. This scene is in good juxtaposition to Fury lecturing Spidey about the strength of a team as he quits it and the Frightful Four are able to take Spidey down as a team. Who should show up but Spideys new allies, here to save the day, and work with Spidey. The fourth wall is broken often and really adds to the show and helps us get into Spideys world and his mind. Spidey also teaches his new team a valuable lesson about being responsible for their actions and who really are the victims when heroes and villains fight.

I particularly like the cut scenes that look like a comic book, placing a "BAM" or "SLAM" in the background during a key scene. Spidey sees the value of a team and joins but also requests that he has Spidey time as well. Life returns to normal. The animation isn't anything spectacular and is very similar to "Ben Ten." The episode ends with a great scene between the principal of the school and Parker. After meeting his new "classmates" (his new found team) he requests a transfer which the principal denies. A dramatic reveal and it is Agent Coulson who denies it and leaves us with his own brand of humor, "thwip, Twhip."

Overall the episode builds upon the first, adding new characters, introducing old ones, and building a new life for Spider-Man that we haven't seen before. One with team mates, new villains, and new lessons to learn.