Review of Hello Kitty Saves the Day

Introduction

My 8-year-old daughter is `Hello Kitty` obsessed. She has a bright pink room with a `Hello Kitty` bedspread, a `Hello Kitty` rug, and `Hello Kitty` soft toys and ornaments. She carries s `Hello Kitty` lunchbox to school in a `Hello Kitty` rucksack. That`s a lot of dedication to a (admittedly cute) white bulbous 2D child`s drawing of a pussycat. But she`s not alone. South-East Asia is awash with Hello Kitty - phone covers, perfumes, radios, car-mats, radios, televisions, and alarm clocks are sold in their millions across the region. There`s even a theme park featuring a fully-grown version of the cat in Japan. It`s a triumph of marketing.

Sanrio, a Japanese corporation, have successfully turned their copyright interests in this cute icon into a billion dollar industry. Make no mistake, this little kitty, who`s been in the UK since the late 1970`s, has enjoyed a huge surge in popularity over the last five years or so. (Type the little critters name into e-bay to see how all pervading she`s become…).

So the timing of this release is very timely indeed. These simple, but perfectly adequate animations, were originally made for US television in the late 1980`s, though have, of course, been syndicated globally ever since. Think `Care Bears` as a point of creative reference. Sugary tales told with sugary voices, full of high fibre moral content, and perfectly charming for their intended age group. (Young girls.).

The conceit of each of the five episodes here is that `Hello Kitty` and pals are about to do a school play, each featuring a different story. `Hello Kitty`s fairytale theatre is proud to present.` Etc.

The episodes included on this disc are:

PETER PENGUIN: Set in Never-say-Neverland (geddit?), Hello Kitty helps rescue Dinglebell (played by HK pal, My Melody) from the hooked clutches of Captain Claw. Check out the totally unpredictable pie-fight at the end.

TAR-SAM OF THE JUNGLE: `Tar-sam` is an ape-penguin hybrid who teams up with Kitty-Jane to stop the Hunter (Catnip) succeeding with his evil plans!

PAWS OF THE ROUND TABLE: This one has Chip playing King Arthur trying to defeat a dragon to rescue lady Bunnyvere. Naturally, Hello Kitty is on hand to help out.

CROCODILE PENGUIN: hello Kitty makes friends with Australian hero `Crocodile Penguin`, who`s the wrestling champ of Australia.

GRINDER GENIE AND THE MAGIC LAMP: Hello Kitty and Sam find a lamp with a Genie inside it and wish to save Grandpa Kitty from the evil Sultan (Catnip).

Video

1:33:1 - which is no surprise as this was produced for late 1980`s TV spots (despite the PR to the contrary which seems to suggest this originates from the early 90`s). The picture is a little dull/grainy which looks like film grain but may be something quirky in transfer, That said - you won`t find the little girl(s) in you life complaining about the condition of the print. It works just fine.

Audio

Appears to be Mono, though claims to be Dolby Stereo 2.0. Might be the subtleties of the very central mix, though I doubt it. Once again - makes not a jot of difference to the wee one`s enjoyment. (Just doing my job, folks!). It all works perfectly well though. Also you get a choice of English (sugary American in truth) or French, which sounds pretty sugary too.

Features

None. No back-stage or on-location interviews with the famous feline here I`m afraid. Just episode menu and 2 x language choice. It`s enough.

Conclusion

The marketeers have squarely aimed this pack at the 2-5 target group. My gut instinct is that it will appeal more to the 4 -7. And if the little lady in your life is in love with the cartoon cat then I`d be reluctant to put a ceiling on viewing age. Certainly my 8 year old was fairly mesmerised throughout, but then she`s obsessed with all things `Hello Kitty`. But then so was her older sister - until she turned ten when her preferences suddenly went from pink to black and `Hello Kitty` was cruelly replaced by teen-goth icons, `Ruby Gloom`, `Emily the Strange`, `Lenore` and `Scary Miss Mary`. Until such time, you could do worse than buy this for the little darling(s) in your life who will be sure to fall for the charms of this cute little kitty. With 5 episodes, it`s not a bad deal either.