Secret of The Wings is the latest in the Disney Fairies direct to video franchise – but don’t let that stop you. Unlike all those direct to video sequels that Disney produced beginning in the mid-90s, this is something done with care for the franchise, where each new release does something to further it, enhance it, and tell an actual story rather than generate more cash. This was a very welcome change in direction when John Lasseter got hired back at Disney in 2006.
So with this video, Tinker Bell and the rest of the fairies are getting ready for winter, and we get an introduction to the Winter Woods, an area previously unexplored by Tinker Bell. Of course it is forbidden to enter that area, but Tinker Bell in her usual way disregards this long standing tradition. Or is it an order. Possibly just a suggestion. Regardless, Tink’s wings sparkle, and this sets her off on a quest as to find out why, eventually leading her to meet up with another fairy in the Winter Woods – and it turns out to be Periwinkle, Tink’s sister.
There’s a little bit of revisionism taking place, and it’s not bad, but it would have been better had some of this been eluded to in the original film. Still, getting past this is a nice story about sisters as well as some further exploration of Pixie Hollow and its residents. It’s interesting this wasn’t labeled Tinker Bell And The … as the two previous films were. I wonder if this was a marketing decision.
My daughter thinks this is the best of the films. I don’t agree with her, but I do think it is better than the last one for sure. Seing more of Pixie Hollow and expanding on the story of the area was nice. Sure, it was disappointing the other fairies had a diminished role, but this wasn’t their story, it was Tinker Bell’s, and that’s where the strength of these movies is. She is a strong character, and a positive role model for girls (with some parental guidance).
Interestingly, we never do get to learn what the secret is. Sure, there’s a pretty fantastical event that happens at the end of the story involving Tinker Bell’s wings, but it never gets explained. In a way this is the weakest part of the film, even weaker than the revisionist history. Still, it’s not bad, just a little weak in the writing department. One can see why this film was delayed from being released last year to get some retooling.
A version of the film in 3D is offered up as well. It’s good, with a few 3D specific sequences and worth it if you have the equipment. I do want to take issue, however, with stacking the discs on top of each other. The two Blu-ray discs are on one side, one on top of another, and the DVD and a disc with the digital copy on the other side, one on top of the other. First, this is bad, especially as it will be kids handling the discs most often, and a greater chance for damaging the discs even under proper adult care with stacked discs. Sure it was a cost-cutting measure to package it this way, but it’s not good for the consumer. Secondly, haven’t we gotten to the point, technologically, where the DVD copy can also contain the digital copy? Yes, we have, Disney.
Two music videos and a short are the only special features. The short almost looks like a deleted scene and contains no words. It’s fun, but doesn’t fit in anywhere. Since there haven’t been more of these produced and released, I’m wondering what this Halloween themed short is pointing towards. I don’t really count the music videos, so … no special features. I would have liked to have had an audio commentary (particularly on Pixie Hollow Games)
Pixie Hollow Games was originally broadcast on Disney Channel last year, but I suspect it was originally going to be a full-length film that got trimmed significantly during production. It is included on the disc as a bonus feature, and is the only one of any significance. As it is, this half hour short focuses mostly on Tinker Bell’s friend Rosetta, one of the regular gang. This time she is paired up with Chloe, another Garden Fairy in the (annual?) Pixie Hollow Games. Teams of two fairies from each type compete in a variety of events. In many ways it seems like a fairy take on the Olympics. Actually, more of these shorter character pieces would be a good thing for the Disney Fairies franchise. Stories are able to be told that don’t rely on shoehorning in Tinker Bell or other characters just because, but instead staying true to the characters at the heart of the story that is wanting to be told. This was a nice short, and yes, I kind of choked up a little at the end.
Secret Of The Wings isn’t the place to start with the Disney Fairies franchise, but it is another solid entry. There is a noticeable lack of special features, but most kids won’t care. My daughter didn’t. My 9 year old son, who enjoyed the film, was wondering why there weren’t any.