Editorial Reviews:
Amazon.com
This second DVD in the LazyTown lineup is not solely a Christmas collection, but rather an all-seasons offering of four episodes from the hugely popular Nick Jr. series. The Icelandic import blends live action, puppets, and CGI animation to teach positive lifestyle choices among the preschool set. Esteemed athlete and entertainer Magnús Scheving is the show's creator who provides the voice of superhero Sportacus, the robust role model who flips, leaps, and sprints through the stories in order to get kids off the couch. His junior sidekick is 8-year old Stephanie, a song and dance dynamo (played by the talented Julianna Rose Mauriello). In the title episode, Christmas comes to LazyTown and a holiday party is in the works. But Robbie Rotten, the town's mischief-maker (played by the engaging Stefán Karl Stefánsson) is certain he'll be overlooked in the festivities. In Grinch-like fashion, Robbie makes a hapless attempt to sabotage Christmas, only to be foiled by forgiveness. Other stories include Ziggy's discovery that no one is too small to help a friend, and Miss Roberta's boorish reminder that manners matter. The best in the bunch is "The Laziest Town," when the mayor learns that the city's energy meter will hit zero—an embarrassing predicament—unless its citizens get moving. Plenty of quips ("Apples are sports energy"), sing-a longs, and general zaniness underscore the message that healthy habits don't have to be ho-hum. (Ages 2 to 5) --Lynn Gibson
