Spielberg's 'Tintin' is released on DVD

Steven Spielberg's first animated film leads these movies that are new to DVD and Blu-ray this week.

"The Adventures of Tintin" (Paramount/Blu-ray + DVD + Digital, 2010, PG, two discs, $39.99). Since Steven Spielberg has long acknowledged the influence of the Belgian "Tintin" comic on "Indiana Jones," who better to direct this motion-capture animated version of the original.

Of course, most of us will see it in reverse — it's a lot like the "Indiana Jones" flicks. But in its own right, this is an enjoyable ride as the young reporter, his dog Snowy and the inebriated Capt. Haddock find themselves pulled into a race to retrieve lost pirate treasure.

The voice cast includes Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis, Daniel Craig, Nick Frost and Simon Pegg.

Extras: widescreen; Blu-ray, DVD and digital versions; featurettes, trailers (also in 3-D combo pack, $44.99, and single disc DVD, $29.99)

"Happy Feet Two" (Warner/Blu-ray + DVD + Digital, 2011, PG, $35.99). Those toe-tapping penguins return in this OK animated sequel, which finds Mumble's son Erik unable to find his dancing mojo, so he runs off, eventually encountering The Mighty Sven, a penguin that can fly. Voices include Elijah Wood, Robin Williams, Hank Azaria, and for the wittiest characters, a pair of krill, lively Brad Pit and Matt Damon.

Extras: widescreen, featurettes, sing-alongs (also in 3-D combo pack, $44.95, and single-disc DVD, $28.98)

"Melancholia" (Magnolia, 2011; R for sex, nudity, language; $26.98). Controversial filmmaker Lars Von Trier contrived this morose, sometimes annoying observation of family relationships in decline, set against a lavish wedding party, with added stress because a planet named Melancholia is hurtling toward the Earth. Well acted (especially by Kirsten Dunst in the lead) but with off-putting jittery camera work and downer material.

Extras: widescreen, featurettes, trailers (also on Blu-ray, $29.98)

"Young Adult" (Paramount, 2011; R for language, sex; $19.99). How you take to this dark comedy-drama will depend largely on your tolerance for the obnoxious, self-centered, deluded central character, however well played by Charlize Theron. She's a 37-year-old former prom queen who returns to her hometown to win back her high school sweetheart — despite his being married with a newborn child.

Extras: widescreen, deleted scenes, audio commentary, featurette (also on Blu-ray, $29.99)

"Neverland" (Vivendi, 2011, $19.97). Two-part SyFy channel miniseries reinvents "Peter Pan," grafting on an origin story (which itself reinvents "Oliver Twist"), then morphs into a pre-Wendy tale involving all the traditional characters of fanciful Neverland. Some good ideas and wonderful performances (including Bob Hoskins, reprising the role of Smee that he also played in "Hook") but labored, long and the second half becomes sluggish.

Extras: widescreen, audio commentary, featurettes; three postcards (also on Blu-ray, $29.97)

EMAIL: hicks@desnews.com