Handy Manny came on the scene after the major breakthrough by Dora the Explorer and my first impressions of the show were that it filled a niche as the Dorafied Bob the Builder, but didn't have much unique appeal. This was all based on a collection of the show's earlier episodes. In this release of six episodes there is a lot more to crow about, with improvements in almost every aspect of the show. The visuals are stronger, with more interesting and cleaner animation. There are ancillary characters that are featured to add more interest during each episode. These characters tend to come back again and again with added detail, like Mr. Lopart. He and some of the other denizens of Manny's town aren't always in need of repair services, but they make for a nice backdrop to each story.
This mix of episodes, subtitled Handy Manny: Manny's Pet Roundup, features Manny in situations involving animals. Kids love animals. The fact that all Manny's repair jobs in these episodes somehow involve cute and cuddly critters will be a huge plus for the little ones. In episodes like "Kitty Sitting" or "Gopher Trouble" it's obvious what Manny will be up against. Others like "Blackout on the Block" have some surprises, as Manny helps his friend take care of some baby chicks when the lights go out. Even episodes like "Kitty Sitting" are a little deeper than the typical fix-it/build-it formula that we've seen employed in previous episodes, as we see Manny making a real contribution in his neighborhood on a personal level. The characters are more than cardboard cutouts and Manny's solutions are always interesting and creative. Kids will love the music and the bilingual aspect is interesting, very conversational. Apart from the six episodes, we have a bonus episode here and a DVD game called, "The A-Maze-Ing Pet Roundup" where you'll help a bevy of pets find their way through a maze.
Fans of the show are obviously on to something, and we can only assume the increased quality is an indication of something being done right, more viewers, etc. There's a stepped-up quality in Handy Manny: Manny's Pet Roundup, not least in the sense that it appeals to older kids and has some great resonance for boys that liked the Dora and Bob formulas, but want something a bit more charismatic. Manny is full of life and his town is equally fleshed out. Strongly recommended for curious tots and their discerning parents.
