It’s rare for the direct-to-video Disney releases to be anything better than just middling, especially if they’re sequels. They’ve released direct-to-video sequels for films like The Lion King, Aladdin, Tarzan, Mulan, Lilo & Stitch, and some others. Some films, however, can be exceptionally good, like Bradley Raymond’s Tinker Bell, which wasn’t even a sequel, but only an animated film with a lower animation budget. Tinker Bell was surprisingly good, and something that should definitely have been released on the big screen. Similar things can be said about its sequel Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure.
Honestly, it’s surprising that a direct-to-video animation sequel ended up being genuinely good because even the best tier of most of them are either an example of digitally milking the cash cow, or of getting toys sold.
How to Stream or Download Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure
You can stream the film on Disney+, or alternatively You can stream it or you can download it from a digital store such as Amazon Prime, Google Play Store, or App Store via iTunes. Click on the Download button at the end of the review and make your choice.
The Movie Review
The film follows fairly after the events of its predecessor, with the nature-talent fairies manifesting the season Autumn in the mainland.
In Pixie Hollow, however, Tinker Bell is designing a new invention for her best friend Terence but is interrupted by Queen Clarion, Fairy Mary, and the Minister of Autumn, who summon her and show her a mystical moonstone, as well as make her aware of an annual tradition in which a blue harvest moon shows up during every Autumn revelry.
Tinker is given the job of inventing a ceremonial scepter for the moonstone. Tinker Bell seeks assistance from Fletcher, who does work alongside her on the scepter, but slowly and gradually, her uncomfortableness with him starts to display, from the moment she begins to notice his unhealthy obsession with her and onward.
Terence teases her during the making to the extent that it ends up ruining the creation, as well as the moonstone, resulting in the otherwise calm Tinker Bell lashing out at him.
And then she learns of a magic mirror, which is said to have granted two out of its three wishes before getting lost, with the third wish still being available. Tinker Bell decides to use the final wish as a way to repair the moonstone.
The premise of this film may be minimalistic and even sounds childish to an extent, but that’s what it aims to be, and it’s executed quite nicely at that.
The synopsis may not interest you, but the product itself never fails to interest you.
It’s a very similar case to the first film, with the premise of the journey not necessarily being out-of-the-ordinary, but the way everything plays out being enjoyable thoroughly. Plus, regardless of how conventional a premise may be, it’s quite out-of-the-ordinary to surround the theme of inventions to such an extent, which would draw the attention of creative individuals.
It’s not a great animated film, you’ll easily find many better animated films to watch, but among animated films that didn’t make it to the big screen, Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, just like the first Tinker Bell film, is one of the best animated films, especially considering the set standards.
Evan Spiliotopoulos’ script is almost as good as the first film’s script and makes most of the movie and the characters quite engaging. Klay Hall’s direction is impressive for something with such small ambitions, the story may itself not aim for higher things, but the film, regardless, ends up having an identity.
The animation is an upgrade over the first film, but the low-budget nature of it can still be seen. Regardless, it’s still a pretty film to look at.
The Bottom Line
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, just like its predecessor, is a film with surprisingly good writing and is quite enjoyable throughout. It’s easily one of the most impressive direct-to-video animations from Disney.
