Before he was Craig of the Creek, he was just Craig – a new kid in a new town. All Craig wants is to go back to his old friends at his old home. But when he learns that the nearby creek is hiding a lost treasure that could make his wish come true, Craig sets off on a journey to find it – navigating the perilous suburban wilderness, forging new friendships, all while being pursued by a fearsome band of pirates who are bent on destroying the Creek itself.
For thoughts on Craig Before The Creek, please check out our discussion on The Video Attic:
Video Quality
Craig Before The Creek comes to DVD with a 480p transfer that looks quite pleasant despite the lack of an HD option. The series features a dazzling color palette throughout which is perhaps the strongest element of this release. The disc offers up fairly deep black levels for a clean viewing experience free of distracting crush and only minor banding. Highlights are likewise well maintained with nothing blooming in the brightest moments. While this disc would look even better with the capabilities of a Blu-Ray, this modern movie avoids most digital anomalies such as artifacting and digital noise. The animation style is clean and represented faithfully here. Line detail remains strong and stable throughout with only fleeting instances of blurring along edges. The DVD presentation is a good experience, but we hope Warner Bros. releases this movie and the series on Blu-Ray in the future.
Audio Quality
This release delivers a Dolby Digital 5.1 track that sounds nice within its lossy limitations. Dialogue is clear with no noted issues of clipping even during more frantic moments. Environmental sounds are forthright in the mix which truly makes the world come to life. The sound design is not overly ambitious, but some moments channel a more dynamic energy. The low end of the track does not pack the punch of your typical theatrical release, but it does what it needs to do well. Warner Bros. has done a fine job with this audio track. There are optional English SDH, French, and Spanish subtitles included on the disc for those who desire them.
Special Features
There are no special features provided on this disc.
Final Thoughts
Craig Before The Creek is a really fun introduction to this series that will appeal to established fans and newcomers alike. When compared to the early days of the television run, the advancements with this new movie are readily apparent while still retaining all of the charm. This particular journey hits the emotional sweet spot as characters discover some impactful emotional truths that audiences of all ages will respond to. This is a very entertaining adventure. Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has released a DVD with a good A/V presentation but nothing in the way of special features. We hope that we eventually get a Blu-Ray release of this film and the complete series, but this is a good way to own this in a physical capacity. Recommended
Craig Before The Creek is currently available to purchase on DVD and Digital.
Note: Images presented in this review are not reflective of the image quality of the DVD.
Disclaimer: Warner Bros. Home Entertainment has supplied a copy of this disc free of charge for review purposes. All opinions in this review are the honest reactions of the author.
Dillon is most comfortable sitting around in a theatre all day watching both big budget and independent movies.