Review of Engie Benjy: Makes Things Better!

Introduction

If you look back through my review history, you`ll spot a hell of a lot of TV shows for the younger viewer in there. But if you look closely, you`ll spot that they are all of a certain vintage, and perhaps a little bizarre. Take the example of Button Moon, where the hero is made from a bottle, some wellies, some spoons and some bowls, and is actually an intergalactic astronaut.

I`m still firmly of the belief that they don`t make them like they used to, so let`s see if Engie Benjy is any different. First broadcast last year, it appears on CITV (ITV for kids), and comes from the renowned Cosgrove Hall stable. The show follows the adventures of a mechanic, his car and his dog.

Video

A nice enough 1.78:1 anamorphic transfer - even TV for kids is now made in widescreen. It all looks good enough and there are plenty of bright colours to keep eyes watching the screen. It`s a mixture of CGI and stop-motion animation, a Cosgrove Hall trademark.

Audio

A DD2.0 stereo soundtrack which is all fine and dandy. Everything is clear and audbile, and aside from that it`s pretty unremarkable. The key to a great TV series for the younger generation is to have a great narrator or characters with great voices who`ll be remembered for years to come. Willo the Wisp, had Kenneth Williams, Bod had John Le Mesurier and Dangermouse and Count Duckula featured David Jason.

So who do we get here? Duncan and P.J. (who prefer to be called Ant & Dec now) and Les "Mavis" Dennis. Further comment is not necessary!

I should also add the theme has some Bob the Builder overtones (to my ear anyway).

Features

Nothing else to keep you or your children entertained.

Conclusion

Not even Cosgrove Hall can make them like they used to. The makers of classics such as Chorlton and the Wheelies are responsible for this nonsense. Using Duncan and P.J. and Les Dennis for their vocal "talents" just makes the pain of watching more intense.

Anyway, if your youngsters like this show then this DVD is fine for them as it`s reasonably priced and should keep them entertained for an hour. But you might ask where the other 20 episodes of the show are, since 26 were made and only 6 appear here.

It`s not about entertaining TV any more is it? It`s all about marketing and shifting as many products as you can. You can buy lots of Engie Benjy toys and CD ROMs etc. etc.

I`ve said it before and I`m saying it again. In protest, I recommend that you go and buy Fingerbobs instead, as a reminder of a forgotten era, when TV shows for children were about education and entertainment, not huge marketing and merchandising campaigns.