Overall

Likes

I liked everything about the DVD. I loved the mirror gift that comes inside and the graphics in the cover. I loved the content of the DVD. I am Hispanic, so knowing that I can play these episodes both in English and in Spanish is very important for me. The voices are very similar in both languages so that was very pleasing. I loved the animation as it ran very smooth throughout the DVD. The stories are simple and very imaginative. I loved the language tones used in all the episodes. It is perfect for kids. My favorite part was the type of messages chosen for each episode. Even my husband was very entertained by them. There were funny moments that were funny even for adults. I loved the featuring of characters from different old Disney movies, because it incorporates characters from when us parents were young, like the fairies from “Sleeping Beauty” which I thought was pretty clever, and the special guest appearance from Snow White. The similarity of their “Aunt” with Marry Poppins was fantastic too. I could easily see many influences from different favorites new and old to make it even more attractive and enjoyable for the whole family.

Dislikes

One of the things I always do when I watch a movie is play subtitles. If I don't get to hear something properly I get to read it. I have always believed that this also encourages kids to learn how to read at an earlier age, and to learn how a word is spelled, or which word was used and how it sounded like. The English version with the English subtitles matched perfectly. The Spanish version with the Spanish subtitles didn't. Maybe the Spanish subs matched the English version, but definitely not the Spanish one. The language used in the Spanish version, was the informal way of Spanish, which is fine because that's the way people talk to people they know like family and friends. The subtitles in Spanish had a mixture. Some characters' captions were in the formal Spanish which is only used when talking properly to someone, like a stranger, or an elder person, which I guess could have been used for royalty too, but then other characters that should have refer to the royal characters was not used that way. It was a bit confusing. I would had rather have the subtitles be in the informal way to match the language used in the Spanish informal dialogue. I mean, after all, if it was translation from the English version, there is no use of a “formal” way of referring to people in English. In English it is always “YOU”, and in Spanish the formal is “Ustéd”, and informal is “TU”. So that I didn't like much because it was confusing. However not everyone that hears the version in Spanish would also place the subtitles with it right? So I don't think that it is much of a big deal. Another thing I didn't enjoy much was that on the episode where prince James becomes a baby, he slides through the stair's railing. That could give the bad impression to kids, making them think that if a baby could do it, they could do it too. I know it is a cartoon/animation and there is a lot of fantasy and it is not real, but some kids at certain age don't know how to differentiate still from what is real and what is not. I think that it is important for parents to watch this kind of series with their kids so that when there are moments like those, you are able to say: That is only a cartoon. In real life when kids go sliding down the stairs they get hurt okay? And make sure that kids understand. And well, I guess that's it for dislikes.

All I have to say in general is that I pretty much enjoyed this DVD. I had never seen a movie or episode from Sofia the First before and though I know she is popular among young kids, now I understand why. I am really not sure if her name and context was taken from the Spanish monarchy, but I saw some influences that could be taken as Spaniard with the aunt's outfit. I know that she is supposed to be a princess inspired for the Hispanic community since there were so many Disney princesses now, but non that was pertaining to the Hispanic culture. I know not for sure if this is all true. This is what I heard about the character and thought that was pretty nice to hear. I really enjoyed Sofia's character. She is pretty gentle and fair and loves to help others in need. I am the kind of person that always watches the movies or stories without the children just so I know what kind of messages or language is being used and what type of influence it is going to have over my kids, and I have to say that I give this DVD all thumbs and big toes up.

We give this product 5 stars: 

I hope you soon get the opportunity to watch this series of episodes, and that you and your family enjoy it as much as I did. Have an amazing weekend!

Disclaimer: I received this DVD for free for the sole purpose of writing a review on my impression on this product/movie. Receiving the product for free does not affect my opinion, which is 100% my own honest opinion. I am not being compensated for sales that may come from this review either. If you or your company would like for me to review a product, please contact me through the PR tab for that matter.