For parents navigating the often-treacherous waters of children’s television, the name Barney evokes a spectrum of reactions. For some, it’s nostalgic purple comfort. For others, it’s a symbol of saccharine overload. But regardless of where you stand on the Barney scale, the “Barney Song and Dance” special DVD undoubtedly exists, beckoning with promises of fun, funderful, superdy-duperdy entertainment. But does this dive into “Barney Sing Dance With Barney” live up to any reasonable expectation of quality children’s content, or is it, as some might argue, something to be avoided at all costs? Let’s delve into this sparkly, song-filled world and see.
Children of the 90s remember Barney’s sudden, doll-to-dinosaur transformation. The sheer artificiality of this purple behemoth invading television screens was… something. And in this “Song and Dance” special, the artificiality is cranked up to eleven. The premise is simple: kids get invited to Barney’s treehouse. Cue glitter explosions, generic party favors, and the arrival of Barney’s pals, BJ and Baby Bop. Yes, BJ.
Barney's awkward posture in Barney Song and Dance special, compared to Buffalo Bill dancing scene.
The sheer volume of musical numbers in this 55-minute “barney sing dance with barney” extravaganza is staggering. Twenty-seven songs crammed into less than an hour! To put that into perspective, the epic musical film My Fair Lady, clocking in at 171 minutes, only has 18. This isn’t necessarily a good thing. It’s a relentless barrage of kiddie tunes, leaving little room for… well, anything else.
And what about the songs themselves? Prepare for an onslaught of familiar childhood staples and “important moral songs” that require approximately zero effort. We’re talking classics like “B-I-N-G-O,” performed with children surrounding a dog who clearly regrets every life choice that led him to this moment. The existential dread is palpable even in children’s songs like “The More We Get Together” and “If You’re Happy and You Know It,” especially when sung with the forced enthusiasm of a dozen youngsters under the watchful, vacant eyes of Barney. There’s even a song about families that vaguely touches upon divorce and loss – heavy topics made strangely weightless in the Barney universe. One might almost expect a verse about dad’s “roommate” to truly bring it into the 21st century.
Children enthusiastically participating in Barney's sing and dance routines in the Barney and Friends Song and Dance DVD.
Midway through this “barney sing dance with barney” journey, a teenager inexplicably appears and instantly transforms into Barney’s most devoted follower. Then, in a predictable burst of glitter, Barney and his child acolytes are whisked away to Storybook Land, all clad in outfits that seem strangely inspired by a Kenenth Anger film – a juxtaposition that’s both unsettling and unintentionally hilarious.
Barney and children transported to Storybook Land in a glitter cloud during a song and dance sequence.
Beyond the questionable musical choices and paper-thin plot, there’s a certain… unease that permeates the Barney experience. The original reviewer astutely pointed out Barney’s “Buffalo Bill posture,” and it’s hard to unsee once you’ve seen it. Then there’s the fact that Barney is always surrounded by children with nary an adult in sight. And let’s not forget Barney referring to children as his “special friends.” Songs about candy bars and milkshakes, an invitation to a tent in the woods – the subtext, intended or not, is undeniably… present.
Technical Difficulties in Dinosaur Land
Moving beyond the content, the DVD itself suffers from technical shortcomings. The video quality, presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, is described as “colorful” with “somewhat good detail” – specifically Barney’s “fur.” However, this praise is quickly overshadowed by the harsh realities of interlacing and awful compression. Expect macroblocking during shot changes, pulsating stationary images, and dot crawl in the reds. The reviewer laments the missed opportunity to shoot in 35mm for a pristine 1080p remaster. Alas, even in the world of “barney sing dance with barney,” budget constraints exist.
The audio is equally underwhelming: a basic 2.0 stereo track at 256 kbps. Dialogue is flat and center-focused, while songs have a bit more separation. Surround sound and LFE are nonexistent. The accompanying CD offers uncompressed PCM 2.0 stereo audio, a slight upgrade, but hardly a reason to celebrate.
Supplements: A Few Bones Thrown In
The extras are minimal. Trailers for “Bob the Builder” and “Thomas the Tank Engine” DVDs, along with a 20th Anniversary Barney compilation, kick things off. There’s also a “matching game” that is reportedly “impossible to beat” and possibly “authored incorrectly.” Biographies of the child actors offer a glimpse into their post-Barney lives (one lays fiber optic cable, another loves pickles – truly riveting stuff). A music video for the “Barney Boogie” rounds out the package. A five-song CD sampler is also included, presumably for those who somehow haven’t had their fill of “barney sing dance with barney” after the DVD.
Barney and Baby Bop performing a song and dance number together in the Barney Song and Dance DVD.
Final Verdict: Steer Clear of the Purple Dinosaur
In conclusion, while the “Barney Sing Dance with Barney” DVD promises a world of song and dance, it delivers a somewhat unsettling and technically lackluster experience. The sheer volume of songs doesn’t equate to quality, and the underlying creepiness factor is hard to ignore. Instead of subjecting your children to this purple dinosaur and his questionable antics, consider opting for something genuinely educational and entertaining, like Sesame Street. And perhaps, for your own sanity, avoid anything with “barney sing dance with barney” in the title altogether.
