Plot Details: This opinion reveals everything about the movie's plot.

If you have never seen a Barney video, or will only be purchasing a couple, this is a must have!

Who Is Barney?
Barney is a large cuddly purple dinosaur that appears on PBS television. He has been around since 1990 and has tickled the hearts of many children ages 6 and under, particularly the toddlers. You'll find Barney on PBS Television, Video tapes, Cassette tapes, Toys, Books, Clothes, Bedroom decor, and more.

My Child
My child began watching Barney when she was one. I'm not sure how it started, but it has snowballed and Barney is the only thing she will watch. She has seen this particular movie many times and one of the things that I noticed that she picked up is the understanding "Please Don't Touch" and would actually say it out loud just as he did. (In the movie, the professor says it very sternly, "These toys are mine so Please- Don't - Touch!") At age one, don't touch is an important thing to understand.

Details about the video
This 45 minute video. I have seen this video dated 1994 and 1999. It's published by Lyricks Studio. The video comes in a box (not clamshell) and the tape itself is white so you will know immediately that it is a Barney tape. This video is not cartoonish, it has real people and settings with the added make-believe dinosaur character which is an actor dressed up in a costume.

What the Movie is About
This episode starts off by a mother reading a story called Imagination Island to 2 girls (Tasha and Min) who are having a sleep over. The mother soon leaves the room giving the children 5 minutes more to play before lights out. Tasha shows Min her new necklace that her parents gave her because she was helping out with her baby brother. Barney appears and they talk about how exciting it would be to see Imagination Island. Barney explains you can go there if you imagine (Just Imagine song).

Barney makes a magic staircase to transport them to their trip at imagination island. The stairs lead to a pirates ship (Sailing song). Once Barney and the two girls are on the ship, Shawn appears on the boat and they sing (Row Row Your Boat), Derrick appears (Blo the man down song), Baby Bop enters and (blankey over the ocean song), and BJ arrives (Sea Sea Sea song) which makes the crew for the movie.

The children are inspecting the ship as they are sailing to their destination. They explain what a lookout is on the ship as BJ goes to the top where he spots Imagination Island. Just as they spot the island there is a big storm which lands their ship in the trees.

They climb out of the boat onto land and Barney magically changes all of their clothes for their next journey on the land. They sing a song using the scenery as instruments. The children go exploring to find help on the island while Baby Bop and BJ remain on lookout at the ship. They sing a great song about the jungle. It's very catching and original, and one that my daughter quickly picked up.

While looking for help they find a house owned by a Professor Tinkerpott. They introduce each other. The inside is full of amazing toys and inventions that professor doesn't want anyone to touch because they belong to him. The professor sings an original song about his inventions and not to touch them. (The professor is an ordinary man full of energy and fun to watch)

The professor shows them a balloon invention that he made which doesn't work and he can't figure out why. He shows the children what it should do but explains that he can't find anything to fit but doesn't have any time to work on that problem. Tasha puts her necklace charm (which is very dear to her) into place on the machine and it suddenly works. The professor learns the lesson of sharing.

Barney explained to the professor that sharing is good because it makes someone else happy and therefore makes you happy. The professor wanted to do an experiment on sharing so asked the children to play with the toys. This was a good place for the children to sing the Happy and you know it song.

The professor decided that he wants to go back with the children so he can share his toys with others. The ship is still stuck in the trees so they need to think of a new way back. The professor uses his balloon machine to make balloons to tie to the ship and the balloons carry the ship away ending with the Just Imagine song.

When they arrive back in town the professor gives Tasha her charm back and reiterates the idea of sharing. They sing a final song about friends being special and the children are back in their home and they go to bed.

My thoughts
Most of Barney's earlier shows were short stories or discussion times with mostly song and dance. This is one of the few that are actually in "movie" format. There is a lot of acting in this movie, mostly children. The children are very seasoned actors/actresses and are very fun to watch. It is obvious that they spent a lot of money on this particular show. All of the props are believable and true-to-life. They use a lot of high-quality costumes for Barney and the crew. The cameraman captures pans and fades in and out with expertise. The songs are creative and are appropriate to the settings. In some of the past movies I felt like they were making the scenes to match the songs, but it is obvious that the acting is they key to this movie with appropriate songs added.

The children do a really great job acting in this video. There is dramatic expressions and their lines are well-rehearsed. The children are boys and girls of several different ethnic backgrounds. You will notice that they all get along very well and there is never any whining or bickering. Everyone gets along perfectly which makes easy viewing for young children.

Age
This movie is full of energy and is very entertaining. The story flows nicely and is easy to understand. Because this video actually has a plot children up to 6 or 7 would be interested. The box says 1-8 but you wouldn't want to run out and buy for an 8 year old. They usually lose interest in barney at 6.

Where to Buy
This movie costs around $11.00 new. You will probably be able to find it in your local stores. If not, they sell it at the following online locations:

- www.walmart.com for $11.00

- www.bigstar.com for (you can see the trailer of this movie by clicking the "watch video" button on the button on the right corner of the page)

- www.amazon.com for $13.00

(You can also buy this video dubbed in Spanish)

You cold purchase this used at www.half.com, www.ebay.com, www.amazon.com

You could also rent this at Blockbuster or your local video store.




Recommended: Yes

Viewing Format: VHS
Video Occasion: Better than Watching TV
Suitability For Children: Suitable for Children up Ages 8