This week's DVD and Blu-ray releases

 The following are capsule reviews of new and recent DVD and Blu-ray releases from the Office for Film & Broadcasting of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Theatrical movies have a USCCB Office for Film & Broadcasting classification and Motion Picture Association of America rating. These classifications refer only to the theatrical version of the films below, and do not take into account the discs' extra content.

Bee Movie

Generally delightful animated feature about a scrappy bee (voice of Jerry Seinfeld) who decides to sue the human race for stealing the honey manufactured by his hard-working bee brethren and brings the case to court, with the help of a sympathetic florist (Renee Zellweger). An often very funny script (by Seinfeld and others), terrific voice work from a cast including John Goodman, Chris Rock, Kathy Bates, and many more, and ultimately, a valuable ecological lesson, make this film -- directed by Simon J. Smith and Steve Hickner -- above-average family fare. Mild innuendo. Spanish language and titles options. A-I -- general patronage. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2007

Madagascar

Entertaining animated comedy about a quartet of pampered zoo animals (voiced by Chris Rock, Ben Stiller, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith) who find themselves shipped back to the wild, where they discover that the jungle is not all its cracked up to be. Directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath and imparting a positive message about friendship, the visually vibrant and at times funny film starts out well (the motley menagerie is a hoot), but its early wit gives way to cartoonish slapstick humor that stresses sight gags more than story. Mildly crass language and humor, cartoon violence, as well as some thematic elements that may be disturbing to very young children.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2005

Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa

Four animal friends (voices of Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Jada Pinkett Smith), stranded on the titular island, try to fly home to their New York City zoo, but land instead on an African savanna where they must continue to adapt to life in the wild. Though occasionally marred by slightly crass humor, this generally amiable animated comedy, co-written and directed by Eric Darnell and Tom McGrath, is visually lush and offers lessons about the need for self-confidence and the true nature of love. Mild innuendo, a few slightly crude gags and some thematic elements that might frighten very young children.  Spanish language and titles options.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment; also available on Blu-ray) 2008

Monsters vs. Aliens

Affable animated comedy-adventure in which a trio of kindly monsters (voices of Seth Rogen, Hugh Laurie and Will Arnett) led by a once-ordinary woman (voice of Reese Witherspoon) who became a giant after being struck by a meteor, are released from government captivity in the custody of a gung-ho general (voice of Keifer Sutherland) and commissioned by the president (voice of Stephen Colbert) to combat an evil alien (voice of Rainn Wilson) whose schemes threaten humanity. Co-directors Rob Letterman and Conrad Vernon create a lavish 3-D homage to 1950s-era sci-fi B-movies that also celebrates friendship, teamwork and the heroic potential of everyday people. Moderate action violence and a bit of vaguely sexual and slightly crude humor.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (DreamWorks Animation; also available on Blu-ray) 2009

 Shrek

Captivating animated film in which a cynical ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) and his smart-alecky donkey (voiced by Eddie Murphy) agree to save the princess bride (voiced by Cameron Diaz) of a nasty lord (voiced by John Lithgow) in exchange for the return of the ogre's swamp home. As directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky Jenson, the sweet but conventional story of self-acceptance reaches new levels of excellence in its animation, and a fine cast of voices further bolsters the film's appeal. Mild crass language ans some crude humor. A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment) 2001

Shrek 2

Whimsical and welcome sequel to the 2001 smash storybook send-up about a green ogre (voiced by Mike Myers) who, this time around, must face something far more imposing than a fire-breathing dragon -- his in-laws -- when he travels with his new bride (voiced by Cameron Diaz) to her parents' kingdom, where they find out that their chances of living happily ever after are threatened by a scheming fairy godmother. With its blend of captivating animation and clever parody, the fairy tale farce, directed by Andrew Adamson, Kelly Asbury and Conrad Vernon, is a worthy follow-up act, whose message of self-acceptance, though somewhat recycled, is one well worth repeating. Some mildly crude and suggestive humor. Spanish language and titles options.  A-II -- adults and adolescents. (PG) (Paramount Home Entertainment) 2004

The Wizard of Oz (Ultimate Collector’s Edition; Anniversary Edition)

Dorothy rides her tornado to the magic land over the rainbow in director Victor Fleming's classic that skyrocketed Judy Garland's career and has given generations of families prime entertainment again and again.  The 50th anniversary edition has 17 minutes of material not included in the original release. A-I -- general patronage. (G) (Warner Home Video) 1939)

Movies have been evaluated by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishop's Office for Film and Broadcasting according to artistic merit and moral suitability. The reviews include the USCCB rating, the Motion Picture Association of America rating, and a brief synopsis of the movie.

The classifications are as follows:

• A-I -- general patronage;
• A-II -- adults and adolescents;
• A-III -- adults;
• A-IV**
• L -- limited adult audience, films whose problematic content many adults would find troubling. L replaces the previous classification, A-IV.
• O -- morally offensive.
  

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