 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Prep & Landing
- Review Date: December 7, 2009
- G
- Genre: Family and Kids
- 2011
Common Sense Media says
Clever holiday story is merry fun for the whole family.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that this delightful holiday tale blends a unique story with clever humor and kid-friendly content, making it an excellent choice for the entire family. There's very little in the way of iffy stuff, the imaginative concept of elves preparing homes for Santa's arrival will have give kids lots to ponder as Christmas nears, and there are plenty of adult-geared references to keep parents chuckling. In typical Disney fashion, all of this entertaining content is wrapped up in positive messages about perseverance, unselfishness, and self-worth.
What's the story?
PREP & LANDING tells the story of longtime Santa's helper Wayne (voiced by Dave Foley), who belongs to an elite group of elves trusted with the task of prepping each home before the Big Guy's arrival. A 227-year veteran of the job, Wayne is confident that he's earned a promotion, but when he's passed over yet again and saddled with rookie partner Lanny (Derek Richardson) on Christmas Eve, he loses his passion for his work and gets careless, causing a serious security breach. With exuberant Lanny's help, Wayne must rediscover the holiday spirit to save Christmas for a special little boy. The DVD comes with several funny extras including two shorts: "Operation Secret Santa" and "Tiny's Big Adventure."
Is it any good?
Just when you thought every avenue had been explored in the world of Christmas stories, along comes a story that will captivate you with its unique spin on a tiny facet of the magical holiday. This sugarplum of a tale will delight any kids who've fretted over the contingencies of Santa's visit -- how does Santa land safely on my roof? what if my dog barks at him? how can he be sure I'll be asleep when he comes? -- and reassure them that the North Pole team is a step ahead of every conceivable mishap.
Disney is well known for designing entertainment for both kids and parents, and this cute Christmas tale is no exception. Adults will pick up on the minor details that escape kids' attention (tie-ins to spy and action movies and a wealth of clever, high-tech gadgets) and will sympathize with Wayne's frustration over being slighted on the job and stuck with an overzealous coworker. But in the end, holiday spirit conquers all, tying in happy messages about unselfishness and compassion. Need another reason to like it? The special isn't tied to a merchandise line (at least, not yet...), so there's no fear of it prompting the "gimmes" from your kids.
What families can talk about
Families can talk about the commercialization of the holidays. Do you think the media influences our expectations of holidays like Christmas? Do TV shows and/or commercials make you want certain items?
Kids: What are some of your unique talents? What do those talents help you to do? How can you develop your skills? How would you like to use your talents in the future?
Compare this special's take on the North Pole residents' preparations for Christmas with what you've seen in other movies. What other movies/specials offer a behind-the-scenes look at Santa and the elves at work?
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- Teens & kids
AGE
Great for kids 0-12; makes for another holiday favorite.
My grandkids and I all loved this movie. They range from 2-11 and it was entertaining to all. The lessons of working together and doing the right thing even when you are disappointed were excellent.
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AGE
New Holliday Favorite!!
Loved this show, super cute and entertaining!!!
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AGE
This was the cutest pixar short. Ember (my kid)loved it!! It shared a good message that everyone's job is important.
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AGE
I 'taped' another Christmas special for my grandson, and when this show came on, I stopped taping due to my first impression of the show. Of course, grandson caught a few seconds, and was disappointed it didn't take. When it was shown again, I taped it, watched it, and was impressed by the message and the appeal to a 5/6 year old! He loved it, and wanted the whole family to watch it. Give it a chance it's a modern Christmas/ life parable!
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AGE
Great for my 3yr old and 6yr old.
I think it was a cute little movie which was fun to watch.
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AGE
A New Family Classic!
We saw this on TV last week, and as a family we absolutely loved it! It had a good message to send to kids about their paths in life and it was really very funny!
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AGE
Good.
I liked it. Awesome for kids who like Santa.
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AGE
Cute and Fun!
Cute and fun, great animation by Pixar/Disney. Funny for adults as well as kids.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy, friendship, holidays |
| Studio: | Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment |
| Directors: | Kevin Deters, Werner Herzog |
| Cast: | Dave Foley, Derek Richardson, Sarah Chalke |
| Genre: | Family and Kids |
| Run time: | 22 minutes |
| DVD release date: | November 22, 2011 |
| MPAA rating: | G |
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