Today DISNEY’S THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS is out! With all the shopping to be done on Black Friday, this is one DVD you'll want to add to your cart! It's a really nice movie to set the tone for the upcoming We got to preview it several weeks ago, and I've been eager to share this exciting and uplifting movie with you ever since. The big city adventure reveals the how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began and is a great children's movie for the holidays.Plot Synopsis:
The film follows in the tradition of Disney’s classic holiday tales with a heartwarming story about the power of giving and the true meaning of Christmas. An exciting prequel, the movie allows kids of all ages to discover how the legendary friendship of Santa Claus and Santa Paws began – as it is the inspiring original film (in a timeline it precedes 2009’s Santa Buddies: The Legend of Santa Paws).
In the movie, when Santa and his new best friend, Paws, discover that the boys and girls of the world have lost the spirit of the season, they take a trip to New York City. But after Santa loses his memory, it’s up to Paws, a faithful orphan named Quinn (America’s Got Talent’s Kaitlyn Maher), her new friend Will (The Game Plan’s Madison Pettis) and a wonderful group of magical talking dogs to save St. Nick and show the world what Christmas is really all about. Do you believe in Santa Paws? Experiencing this sure‐to‐be holiday classic, full of fun, adventure and a carrying the timeless messages of the holidays, with surely delight the entire family!
The Kid Test:
My four year old daughter has always been really into puppies; I knew that this would be something she'd love. There is just something fun about talking puppies and Santa Paws is a big furry puff ball that you just want to reach out and hug. I was right, she loved that the puppies really talked, any scene with Santa Paws, her eyes were glued to.
Her favorite parts were the peeks inside Santa's North Pole workshop and when Santa Paws works his Christmas magic to turn the bedroom Quinn shares with the other orphans into a holiday wonderland. The singing got her up on her feet and standing on our couch so she could dance just like the girls.
It's magical holiday film that your little ones will like, while there are a few moments of drama, I never for a second didn't think the whole thing wouldn't have a very happy ending. All the loose ends are tied up neatly, just like a big bow on top of a Christmas present, and really isn't that what you want...that satisfying over the top Disney ending? This forsee this film one of the movies my daughter remembers watching year after year during her childhood.
DISNEY’S THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS comes with a stocking full of fantastic bonusfeatures, two of which ER really liked.
- My daughter's personal favorite, an interactive Animated Pop‐Up Book, featuring new canine friends from The Search For Santa Paws. She wanted to watch it over and over and over and over...well you get the point...
- Sing‐Along Mode ‐ colorful lyrics added to the film’ song sequences, so audiences can
sing along to the film’ fantastic new songs. - Another big hit with ER was the music video from tween favorite Debby Ryan (Disney Channel’s Suite Life on Deck) performing an updated arrangement of ‘Deck The Halls.’
- Deleted scenes
Interview:Recently, director Robert Vince and producer Anna McRoberts spoke about THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS during a virtual roundtable in support of today's DVD release. Here are a few of their comments about working with the child actors and the animals that I found interesting.
Question - For "The Search for Santa Paws", you literally found yourselves a new star with young actress Kaitlyn Maher. For such a young child, was she easy to work with, especially around the dog (that plays Paws)?
Answer - Anna McRoberts: We first used Kaitlyn as a voice on Santa Buddies and we were beyond impressed with her talent and presence and knew we had to put her in front of the camera next. Kaitlyn is an amazing person, very intelligent and a consummate professional. She was a true pleasure to work with. She is also a real dog lover and if I may speak for her, I am sure she might pick the puppy scenes as some of her favorites. In addition, her and Paws became very fast friends.
Question - What was the funniest blooper that happened on set with the dogs and/or kids?
Answer - Robert Vince: When you work with kids and animals bloopers occur daily. In the dancing scene "I Do Believe In Christmas," the girls were so excited they kept falling off the beds.
Question - My kids have really loved this movie. The talking animals were a huge hit. What did the child actors that were part of it think when they saw the final movie?
Answer - Anna McRoberts: The kids were overjoyed when they saw the final product. They It's really exciting for them to see the film come to life on a whole other level from when they were on-set filming.
Question - That word, MAGIC, is such a tremendous word. You've used it frequently. Do you believe in Christmas Magic?
Answer - Anna McRoberts: Absolutely, I believe very strongly in the concept of Christmas magic and magic in general. I am also a strong proponent of the idea that "what we believe, we can achieve" which is why I think Christmas is my favorite holiday. It's a time of year that we are all reminded to believe in believing and that when we do, anything can happen!
Question - Kids seem to stop 'believing' earlier and earlier, does that present a challenge in developing story lines that appeal to the entire family.
Answer - Robert Vince: Unfortunately, children are inundated with commercial messages that can sometimes rob their sense of imagination. Movies are one of the places children can allow their imaginations to run free. We do our best to explain some of the logical issues like "Why are there so many Santa Clauses at every mall?' and so far our "ambassadors for the Santa Cause spreading the message of love and kindness for the one and only Santa Clause" idea has been very well received.
Activitiy Sheets:To help get your into the holiday spirit and because I know after your kiddos see THE SEARCH FOR SANTA PAWS, they'll want to do more Santa Paws related activities! You may print-and-play with these craft pages that will show you how to make some cute projects any dog lover will like.
Special Money Saving Offer:In the spirit of giving, Disney Movie Rewards is offering $10 off The Search for Santa Paws Blu-ray + DVD Combo Pack! Click here to find out more!
Disclosure: I received a complimentary reviewers copy to faciliate this review, opinons expressed within are personal and unbiased.
Katie it's snowing here and the whole city is shutdown... wish I had a copy of this right now to keep MY little buddies busy ( -:
ReplyDeleteAiyana and I watched it last night. For the most part, she enjoyed it. Of course, she did not like the "mean lady". This morning while I was washing dishes, Aiyana walked into the kitchen and asked, "How come that mean lady does not let the kids have any toys or Christmas?" Thankfully there was a happy ending!
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