DOOGAL, the second 3D-animated feature acquired by The Weinstein Co., recently found its way onto DVD (Genius Products, $28.95). Like the previous smash, HOODWINKED, the kid-friendly comedy/adventure was recast with American stars. The Pathe production was also retitled and rewritten predominantly by FAIRLY ODDPARENTS creator Butch Hartman, with lots of American movie references thrown in.
DOOGAL is based on THE MAGIC ROUNDABOUT, a British cult TV series, which, in turn, was based on a 60s French series called LE MANEGE ENCHANTE, animated by British stop-motion legend Ivor Wood.
Doogle (Daniel Tay), the candy-loving mutt, is on a mission to save the world. He must prevent the evil sorcerer Zeebad (Jon Stewart) from freezing the earth forever. Joining Doogal on his quest are pals Dylan (Jimmy Fallon), a guitar-playing rabbit, Ermintrude (Whoopi Goldberg), an opera-singing cow, and Brian (William H. Macy), a bashful snail. Hopping on a magic train (Chevy Chase), they travel over ice-capped mountains, navigate fiery pits of lava, and sail across vast oceans on the journey of a lifetime Judi Dench serves as narrator and Ian McKellen, a holdover from the original, as a spring-loaded wizard.
Not much in the way of bonus features except for a making of featurette
Bill Desowitz, former editor of VFXWorld, is currently the Crafts Editor of IndieWire.
