BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAIMENT has finally released the full length version of "PETE'S DRAGON" on dvd.  Although the film was met with general disdain from critics upon its release, it's not a bad film.  While "that" may not sound like a great endorsement, we can say that the young children whom watched it over the weekend really enjoyed it!  So, while adult viewers will find it draining at times, the intended audience, at least, will be entertained.
"PETE'S DRAGON" is a live-action musical from the '70s and it just doesn't have the kind of memorable songs found in Disney's earlier efforts like "MARRY POPPINS."  In fact, although one of its songs was nominated for an Oscar, even "that" song is mediocre at best!  One doesn't find themselves humming it after the film's over! 
The film starts off well enough, with a young orphan named Pete being chased through the woods by his foster family.  This allows for the first musical number to play out and for audiences to get their first glimpse of the kind of effects and animation they're in store for the rest of the film.  We seethe bad guys and gal get lifted in the air by something invisible,(Elliot the Dragon) and eventually all three of them are covered in mud!  Soon after, Pete and Elliot stumble upon a new town, and while exploring, they knock into and over everything! Of course, because Elliot is invisible, Pete is blamed!  They soon run into the town drunk, Mickey Rooney, who "can" see Elliot!  This leads to another song!  Getting the picture?  Rooney's daughter, Helen Reddy, runs the local lighthouse.  Remember Reddy was considered big at one time!   Of course, Reddy's presence means even more singing, and remember even the oscar nominated song wasn't that good!
BUENA VISTA HOME ENTERTAINMENT has provided a wonderful transfer for this film.  The correct 1.66:1 aspect ratio is intact, and it's enhanced for 16:9 viewing.  While the film shows its age in spots, with scratches and grain, the image still manages to be impressive overall!  The fleshtones are natural, and there's great clarity in even the darkest scenes.  Contrast is near perfect, and there are no artifacts!
BUENA VISTA has also decided to remaster "PETE'S DRAGON" in Dolby Digital 5.1!  Unfortunately, the surround effects are virtually non-existent!  The dialogue is focused towards the center channel, and although there are some separational effects, most of the film is monaural.  And, the LFE track is non-existent!
There are some supplements thrown in here!  An entertaining documentary, "MAN, MONSTERS AND MYSTERIES" explores the legend of the Loch Ness Monster and others.  It's actually more entertaining than the film itself!   "DISNEY
FAMILY ALBUM", one of the supplementary features offered here, is about Ken Anderson, the creator of Elliot, and it should definitely win over a new generation of fans.  "THE PLAUSIBLE IMPOSSIBLE", another supplementary feature, explores the process of animation.  Add a rare Donald Duck cartoon, "Lighthouse Keeping", and you've got a pretty big supplementary section!  But, that's not all!  Add a still gallery section "and a game called "Where's Elliot", in which children can manipulate the remote control to guess, from clues, where the dragon is hiding.  With each miss, they get information about dragons and the movie.  If they eventually get all the selections right, they get a surprise video!