Official Synopsis:

Dig into outrageous fun in three of your favorite episodes and one you've never seen before from Cory in the House, the hit series from Disney Channel - on DVD for the first time ever! Plus, the Newt & Improved Edition DVD takes you behind the scenes to watch how the never-before-seen episode was created, from brainstorming with the writers to rehearsals with the cast to the "big day" when the episode was filmed - all with that Cory Baxter flair! Now that Cory and his dad are settled into life in the White House, Cory is cooking up even zanier "Newt & Improved" schemes with his friends Newt and Meena. You'll laugh out loud as Cory and Meena come up with a clever plan to help Newt in the "romantical department" to get his first kiss. Pucker up! The guys totally clash when they have to write a hot new song for their band - before sundown! And things really heat up when Cory almost destroys the cherished Presidential Seal. (You won't believe what Newt brings in as a replacement.) All this, and they still have to pass Chemistry, steer clear of Sophie and avoid causing any diplomatic crises.

Our Take:

Disney Channel has been producing their own brand of squeaky clean sitcoms for years now, and most of them seem to stick to the same formula. Following in the footsteps of That’s So Raven, The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Wizards of Waverly Place, and of course Disney’s current bread & butter, Hannah Montana, Cory in the House has the same kind of kid-friendly feel to it as its network cousins. However, it doesn’t have the same originality as some of the other series, and it feels pretty contrived and formulaic. That said, you’ve got to remember its kid fodder, so to be too critical of it would be futile.

Much like most of Disney’s TV releases, Cory in the House: Newt and Improved Edition contains four episodes. In “The Presidential Seal,” Cory finds himself in a heap of trouble after sneaking into the Oval Office and ruining the Presidential Seal. In “Through the Roof,” Corey and his band must write a new song before sundown or else they can’t play anymore. In “Lip Service,” the boys look to get some lip action with some girls. Finally, in “Peace, Love, and Misunderstanding,” Corey tries to make friends with a new girl at school, but if he does it might cause World War Three!

The DVD is pretty slim in terms of offerings, but this is nothing different from any of the other Disney DVD releases, so it’s to be expected. The one bonus feature it does include is actually really good:

Backstage Disney: “Breakin' Down 'Cory in the House" (13 minutes) – A behind-the-scenes look at the making of the episode, "Peace, Love And Misunderstanding". More than a promotional puff piece, it’s pretty informative and entertaining with interviews from the cast and creators.

Cory in the House: Newt and Improved Edition is purely meant for the kidlets. Parents are strongly cautioned to avoid at all costs.

Overall Picture:

Show: B-

DVD: C+

- Chris Lawrence

Staff Writer