Barney's Christmas Star

Non-religious, typical Barney show
As usual, the show opens inside of Barney's Playhouse. There are four children: one African-American, one Asian and two Caucasian. There are two boys and two girls.

This show starts with Barney discussing the holidays and they show and sing about each of three tables: one with the nativity scene for Christmas, one for Hanukkah, and one for Kwanzaa. This is where all references to the religious aspect of the holidays and Christmas end. Then Barney sings a generic song "I love the holidays". A girl enters and announces it is snowing and they all go outside to play, they sing songs about winter and snow, and build a snowman.

The girl invites everyone to help decorate a big Christmas tree in a public park that her great-great grandfather planted many years ago. They are off to help out and sing "O Christmas Tree". Soon they realize the star for the top of the tree is missing. Grandma sends Barney and the children back to her house to look for it in the attic.

Once in the attic,...

Cute and fun
This is our first Barney dvd and my 22 month old daughter loves it. I just skip the "commercials" at the beginning by hitting the "chapter" button on my remote. The characters touch on the ways some different cultures celebrate the holidays and sing several songs -- some traditional Christmas songs as well as others like "Just Imagine" which my daughter and I loved. Its cute and fun and well worth the money I spent.

unhappy
This is another Barney DVD that has no menu. Once you put it on you must fast forward through the initial advertisements and then you can play the Barney portion. Without a menu it is basically a glorified VHS tape that the best you can do is fast forward to get to a certain spot. There is also no spanish sound track. If you want a VHS-like product that should last longer than a tape you might be interested in this. As far as the story goes I would opt for The Night Before Christmas. That story is more little kid friendly and more entertaining. The Christmas Star didn't hold the interest of my 3.5 or 1.5 y/o children. With The Night Before Christmas they request to see it all the time. The Night Before Christmas DVD also functions like a DVD.

Click to Editorial Reviews