Common Sense Media Review
Merry musical travel adventures for preschoolers.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
What's the Story?
In DISNEY'S LITTLE EINSTEINS: MISSION CELEBRATION, the quartet of Einstein tots -- June, Quincy, Leo, and Annie -- invites young viewers along on Rocket to locales from Italy to Antarctica. Classical music is the overriding theme. Each of the three episodes introduces a particular piece of music, such as Bach's "Brandenburg Concerto No. 3." The music is cleverly blended with easy, memorable lyrics that invite singing along. (See if you can resist crooning "I love, I love, I love, I love balloons" to the tune of Mozart's "A Little Night Music.") All three adventures revolve around birthday themes and embroil the quartet in innocuous missions: rescuing Annie's balloons when they blow away, helping Little Red Train recover a goody bag from the clutches of Big Jet for a party at Train Junction.
Is It Any Good?
Like the series, this Little Einsteins movie is tons of fun. Preschoolers learn about Mozart, Michelangelo, the Leaning Tower of Pisa, and the meaning of "adagio" and "allegro" by hanging out with the Little Einsteins. The brainchild of Disney and the creator of Baby Einstein, this charming, clever, and highly interactive animated series incorporates elements such as classical music, cultural landmarks, and art into adventures that whisk the four main characters all over the world.
The characters repeatedly weave musical terms into the fun: Urging the red train to go faster or slower, they shout "allegro" and "adagio." Kids also learn to distinguish between the sounds of different instruments, like trombones, clarinets, and violins. The characters encourage young viewers to participate in the action. Little Einsteins ask direct questions to the screen ("Do you help clean up?" "When is your birthday?"), and they also get kids to "help" the missions along -- for example, by taking deep breaths and blowing to keep Annie's balloons from popping on the tip of Seattle's Space Needle. The DVD also does an interesting job of blending animation and real-life photographs and video.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how the four main characters work together on their missions. Why is it important that they thank one other for a job well done? What was your favorite song? What was your favorite place that the Little Einsteins visited?
Movie Details
- In theaters : August 22, 2006
- On DVD or streaming : August 22, 2006
- Cast : Aiden Pompey , Erica Huang , Jesse Schwartz
- Studio : Walt Disney Pictures
- Genre : Family and Kids
- Topics : Adventures , Arts ( Music and Sing-Along )
- Run time : 72 minutes
- MPAA rating :
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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