Shout! Factory’s Animated Releases Bring Back Memories

18 May, 2012 By: Ashley Ratcliff

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Franchises such as G.I. Joe, Jem, Fat Albert, Transformers, Power Rangers and Tintin may jog the memories of consumers who spent countless hours catching up with these characters’ adventures and misadventures on Saturday mornings and after school.

Shout! Factory and Gaiam Vivendi is preparing to release a slate of DVDs, showcasing these beloved brands.

Due June 5 is G.I. Joe: Renegades — Season One, Vol. One, in which a team of highly trained specialists joins forces to prevent the infamous Cobra from dominating the world. “G.I. Joe Renegades,” produced by Hasbro Studios, boasts a recognizable voice cast, including Charlie Adler (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen), Lee Majors (Six Million Dollar Man), Clancy Brown (Shawshank Redemption), Jason Marsden (Batman: The Brave and the Bold), Johnny Messner (Tears of the Sun) and Kevin Michael Richardson (The Batman).

The two-DVD set is listed at $19.93 and includes 13 episodes. As an added bonus, the DVD set will include a Movie Cash offer to see the upcoming live-action film G.I. Joe: Retaliation, releasing theatrically June 29.

Another title in the time-honored franchise, G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero — Series Two, Season Two, arrives July 10 (order date June 19). In this installment, General Hawk is back with his team of heroes, who are up against the Cobra organization in their toughest challenge yet. Popular characters Duke, Snake Eyes and Storm Shadow appear in the three-DVD set, which includes 20 episodes and a retrospective featurette with the Hasbro toy team, is listed at $29.93.

Rocking out July 10 is Jem and the Holograms: Season Three (two-DVD set $19.93), in which a band called The Stingers! come to town, threatening to steal all the limelight from Jem and the Holograms at the height of their success. The third and final season of the show, which ran from 1985 to 1988, includes 13 episodes, as well as a Video Jukebox feature.

Keeping in the same spirit of nostalgic animated shows, Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids: The Complete Series makes its return on home video July 31 (order date July 3). The program featured an educational message in each episode and the gang, based on creator and comedian Bill Cosby’s childhood friends, jamming in their North Philadelphia junkyard at the end of the show.

The 16-DVD boxed set is listed at $119.99 and is loaded with more than 40 hours of content, including 36 episodes of Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids, 24 episodes of The New Fat Albert Show and 50 episodes of The Adventures of Fat Albert and Cosby Kids.

CGI-animated Transformers Prime — One Shall Stand also bows July 31 on DVD ($14.97), providing the backstory to Optimus Prime and an epic tale of deception, sacrifice, loyalty and triumph. Voice talent includes Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Steve Blum, Jeffrey Combs, Ernie Hudson, Adam Baldwin, Gina Torres and John Noble, among others.

Available for the first time in the United States Aug. 14 (order date July 17), full-length feature The Smurfs and the Magic Flute (DVD $12.99) centers on a magical instrument that Court Jester Peewit needs to play enchanting tunes that make everyone in the kingdom dance.

Bonus material includes an image gallery, animated menus, a glossary of Smurf terms, “The Smurf Story”, a character guide and an “About the Smurfs and the Magic Flute” featurette.

The Angry Beavers: Season Three, Part Two also bows Aug. 14 as a two-DVD set ($19.93). The late-1990s animated show amused audiences for four seasons with twin beavers Norbert Foster and Daggett Doofus pursuing the wild bachelor lifestyle.

A star-studded list of voice talent adds extra flair to the Aug. 21 (order date July 24) release of The Super Hero Squad Show: The Infinity Gauntlet! Vol. 4 (DVD $14.93).

Ty Burrell (“Modern Family”), Jane Lynch (“Glee”), Michael Dorn (“Star Trek: The Next Generation”), James Marsters (“Buffy The Vampire Slayer”), Kevin Sorbo (“Hercules: The Legendary Journeys”) and Marvel Comics legend Stan Lee lend their voices in the final stand of the Super Hero Squad, which includes Iron Man, Scarlet Witch, Wolverine, Ms. Marvel, Falcon and the Hulk.

Also kicking into gear on Aug. 21 is Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers: Season One, Vol. One (three-DVD set $19.93). After Saban introduced the high-energy series in 1993, the “Power Rangers” quickly became one of the most-watched children’s programs in the United States. Following the adventures of a group of ordinary young people who “morphed” into superheroes, the “Power Rangers” DVD includes the first 30 original episodes from the first season and packs in more than 10 hours of content.

Finally, The Adventures of Tintin: Season Three (two-DVD set $19.93) finds investigative reporter Tintin, crafty pooch Snowy, salty Captain Haddock, handy Professor Calculus and clumsy Thomson & Thompson investigating arms smugglers, 1930s gangsters, a kidnapping, lost jewels and more. The final season of the series, based on the comic strip by Hergé, sees the characters traveling from Peru to America to the moon.

 

 

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