Blu-Ray/DVD Review: Gnomeo & Juliet

My family and I recently received Gnomeo & Juliet on Blu-Ray/DVD combo to review.


Gnomeo & Juliet is the animated tale of two garden gnomes set to the music of Elton John via Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet from Disney's Touchstone label. Like the tragic story of Romeo & Juliet, Gnomeo and Juliet have a problem with their romance - you see red gnomes HATE blue gnomes. Yes, you guessed it - they are different colored gnomes living on different lawns.

We were waiting for this one to come out on DVD, and I totally have to say, it does not disappoint in the giggling department! If you like the Shrek movies, I think you'll like this one too - it has the same slapstick humor. And the lawnmower races are hysterical! It's neat to hear celebrity voices like Dolly Parton, Hulk Hogan, and Ozzy Osbourne - as well as Sir Michael Caine in the movie.

Here's a short clip from Gnomeo & Juliet:



(Sorry feedreaders, you'll have to click through to my site to see this one as I do not have a direct link)

Now the movie is rated G, safe for most ages - though, I might recommend it more for ages 5 and up, just so they "get" the humor. Be aware that it does have some "cartoon violence", but if the WB Roadrunner/Wiley E Coyote doesn't bother you, this should be alright. There are a few jokes that should go over kids' heads but parents will get, but it's not overly suggestive or anything like that.

Both discs in the combo set have special features. The DVD disc contains a featurette called "Elton Builds A Garden", all about how Elton John helped influence the movie. It also has "Frog Talk With Ashley Jensen" - Ashley is the voice of Nanette, and you'll see her voice her lines (and all the silly faces that go with it lol), as well as the "Crocodile Rock" music video. The Blu-Ray has even more fun stuff, including two alternate endings and a stack of deleted scenes that they show from the storyboard sequences - plus "The Fawn of Darkness", where you'll hear Ozzy "mumble" about voicing his character, a little lawn deer named Fawn. (I wonder if back in the 80's anyone really thought we'd see him featured in a kids movie? lol)

This titles also qualifies as part of the Disney Movie Rewards program, so be sure to enter the code inside the box to get your reward points. If you are interested in purchasing this title for your home move collection, there is a printable coupon currently available that will save you $5 off the 3 disc combo pack, now through May 29th. Pair it with some of the grocery store deals that offer freebies with purchase, and you can end up with this movie for much less than two tickets to most movie theaters.

Gnomeo & Juliet will be released this Tuesday, May 24th, 2011, and is available at your favorite place to purchase DVDs. This widescreen film is 84 minutes long and rated G. (see above for more on my thoughts) The suggested retail price is $39.99 for the combo pack, and $29.99 for the Blu-Ray edition. Amazon has it available as of this posting for just $24.99 for the three disc combo set (which includes a digital copy for on the go viewing), so it's a great deal if you'd like it shipped to your door.

You know the drill: I received a copy of this DVD in order to share my thoughts on it - all opinions are my own.