Unstable Fables: Tortoise vs. Hare (2008)

Fifteen years after their famous race, the tortoise and the hare are at it again, bringing their unwilling kids along for the ride on a wild and hilarious adventure race. This time around, they learn a whole new lesson - that some things are more important than competition.

fun for kids and parents

My 6 yr old loves this series! (Unstable Fables). He says they keep getting better! It's something you can watch with your kids and has some good messages in it as well. October 14, 2008

Aesop spins

Once upon a time, and a long time ago, a Greek slave named Aesop told his famous fable about a tortoise and a hare who decided to have a race. The moral of the story was "slow and steady wins the race"

Fast forward to 2008, and along comes this straight to DVD movie by Jim "Who's Yo Muppet?" Henson. A part of the "Unstable Fable" series, this sequel to the fable stars the vocal talents of Jay Leno, Danny Glover, Vivica Fox, Drake Bell and Keke Palmer and takes place 15 years after the main event.

Walter Tortoise (Glover), his wife Dotty (Fox) and daughter Crystal (Palmer) now live in fancy digs in the burbs next door to Murray Hare (Leno), his wife and son Butch (Bell). The big race is a constant discussion point, and the feuding critters decide to drag their unwilling offspring into a grudge rematch in the form of an "Amazing Race" type of competition. You can pretty much work out how things are going to end up, but then there's an unexpected twist to shake (or maybe stir) things up a little.

It's okay as far as straight-to-DVD animation goes, and some cliff-hangers will have you paying rapt attention, but in general it's pretty formulaic and not so unstable after all. You get the feeling that they started with a concept the size of a 30 minute Muppet Show episode, and then added padding (and dancing and pratfalls) to pump it up to its present 76 minutes.

Totally suitable for general audience viewing but nothing earth-shattering, you may want to rent this first, and buy it only if your kids like it.


Hare and Tortoise in the snow
Aesop spins from down below



Amanda Richards, September 20, 2008
September 21, 2008

Tortoise vs. Hare........Slow and Steady wins the Race?.....

Tortoise vs. Hare is the second CGI film in the "Unstable Fables" line of films from The Jim Henson Company(yes, the ones responsible for the Muppets). In this retelling of Aesop's Tale, It's years since 'Slow and Steady' Tortoise won the race against the 'Speedy' Hare. With both sides obsessing over what happend, The Hare decides to challenge The Tortoise to a rematch in the upcoming Mount Impossible team race. Thing is, this time their kids are involved because it is a team race. Will the younger generation teach the older generation something about friendship, family and playing fair? Well, like I had to, you'll have to watch the movie and find out. You'll be surpised at the ending.

I'll admit, I was expecting this movie to be pure kid's fare..since it is a fractured fairy tale, after all. Yet, I was quite surprised that this movie appealed as much to me as it would a child. Sure, it may not be quite dead-on in it's amusement like Shrek, Happily N'ever After or Toy Story but it has alot of potential. With each 'Unstable Fable' I see, they get better and better in their delivery. As far as the animation is concerned, these guys are pros..it looks just as good as the aforementioned movies and films like Ice Age or even better.

With vocal talent by Danny Glover, Vivica A. Fox, Jay Leno, Keke Palmer & Drake Bell; this is a film the whole family will love. I know mine did. Special Features include: a preview of the next Unstable Fables release, How to draw the characters from the movie with Howard Baker, The Making of Tortoise vs. Hare, it's trailer as well as trailers of other favorites by the Weinstein Group-The Henson Company & Genius Products.

It's a tale filled with laughs and well-crafted lessons about the dangers of trying to win at any cost. Parents and children alike will love it!
September 15, 2008

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