Arthur's Best Friends (2003)

TV. Arthur's Best Friends is even more imaginative and heartwarming in matters of childhood whimsy than usual. All three episodes are full of mini-scenarios depicting the imagination of Arthur, D.W., Buster, and friends: D.W.'s Deer Friend (D.W. gets to see and learns how not to scare away a deer she named Walter), Arthur's Faraway Friend (Arthur and Buster begin writing their own swashbuckling adventures and continue while Buster travels the world with his dad for the summer), and Buster's Back (Arthur is worried Buster will have become so worldwise that he won't want to play checkers anymore). One scene pays homage to Star Wars and the Fantastic Four as Arthur imagines Buster landing vertically in a space shuttle with hydraulic landing gear. In short, solid (if simple to the eye) animation, voice talent, and family dynamics integrate well throughout each story. 4.5 stars.