| Featured List | Simple List |
Go to bottom to see all images
Click image to enlarge
|
The Little Mermaid (Limited Issue) Director: John Musker, Ron Clements Average Customer Review:  DVD (07 December, 1999) list price: $34.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review From the moment that Prince Eric's ship emerged from the fog in the opening credits it was apparent that Disney had somehow, suddenly recaptured that "magic" that had been dormant for thirty years. In the tale of a headstrong young mermaid who yearns to "spend a day, warm on the sand," Ariel trades her voice to Ursula, the Sea Witch (classically voiced by Pat Carroll), for a pair of legs. Ariel can only succeed if she receives true love's kiss in a few day's time and she needs all the help she can from a singing crab named Sebastian, a loudmouth seagull, and a flounder. The lyrics and music by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken are top form: witty and relevant, and they advance the story (go on, hum a few bars of "Under the Sea"). Mermaid put animation back on the studio's "to do" list and was responsible for ushering Beauty and the Beast to theaters. A modern Disney classic. --Keith Simanton ... Read more Features Reviews (160)
Asin: B00001QEE7 |
|
|
Alice in Wonderland (Disney Gold Classic Collection) Director: Wilfred Jackson, Clyde Geronimi, Hamilton Luske Average Customer Review:  DVD (04 July, 2000) list price: $29.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Imaginatively rendered but slightly chilly, this 1951 Disney adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic is also appropriately surreal. Alice (voiced by Kathryn Beaumont) has all the anticipated experiences: shrinking and growing, meeting the White Rabbit, having tea with the Mad Hatter, etc. Characterization is very strong, and the Disney team worked hard to bring screen personality to Carroll's eccentric creations. For a Disney film, however, it seems more the self-satisfied sum of its inventiveness than a truly engaging experience. --Tom Keogh ... Read more Reviews (158)
Asin: B00004R99L |
|
|
The Fantasia Anthology (3-Disc Collector's Edition) Director: T. Hee, Norman Ferguson, Wilfred Jackson, Ben Sharpsteen, Ford Beebe, Jim Handley, Paul Satterfield, Hamilton Luske, James Algar Average Customer Review: DVD (14 November, 2000) list price: $69.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Along with Fantasia and Fantasia 2000, theanthology set contains a third disc that examines a segment of bothmovies in detail. Each segment has an introduction that has experts(including Leonard Maltin), producer Roy E. Disney, or the animatorssetting up the piece's history. Notes on the music and dozens of designphotos are included on all the segments, although others offer moreintriguing features. Abandoned animation is shown on many segments, asare a few behind-the-scenes shorts; the most intriguing are expertsfrom Walt Disney's hosted documentaries on how his company made movies.As for the photos, they are awkwardly catalogued and only the mostpatient of viewers would want to look at all of them. In some segments,though, these images are entertainingly produced as a "story reel,"presenting these images--rough animation, sketches, pastelpaintings--with the musical accompaniment. For those looking for a morewell-rounded view of the films, the two one-hour documentaries on each film's disc lay the groundwork, but none of the anthology looks at howthe first film was seen through the years or gives time to anyone whowasn't gung-ho about every element of the films. There is hardly amention of embarrassing stereotypes that were matted (and still are)out of the "Pastoral" segment, or the intriguing aspect of the film asa '60s icon for the ultimate head-trip. Disney does let their guarddown to show sequences that were being readied in 1940 for futureeditions (including a recently restored short scored to "Clair deLune"). Most tantalizing is a look at how the special effects were donein the original film. The guide is a scrapbook that one of thetechnicians kept and was discovered only in 1990. Fans can only hope areproduction will be made available someday. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (163)
Asin: B00004Y7S5 |
|
|
Beauty and the Beast (Disney Special Platinum Edition) Director: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise Average Customer Review: DVD (08 October, 2002) list price: $29.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review The film that officially signaled Disney's animation renaissance (followingThe Little Mermaid) and the only animated feature to receive a Best Picture Oscarnomination, Beauty and the Beast remains the yardstick by which all otheranimated films should be measured. It relates the story of Belle, a bookworm with a dottyinventor for a father; when he inadvertently offends the Beast (a prince whose heart is toohard to love anyone besides himself), Belle boldly takes her father's place, imprisoned inthe Beast's gloomy mansion. Naturally, Belle teaches the Beast to love. What makes thissuch a dazzler, besides the amazingly accomplished animation and the winning coterie ofsupporting characters (the Beast's mansion is overrun by quipping, dancing householditems) is the array of beautiful and hilarious songs by composer Alan Menken and thelate, lamented lyricist Howard Ashman. (The title song won the 1991 Best Song Oscar,and Menken's score scored a trophy as well.) The downright funniest song is "Gaston," alout's paean to himself (including the immortal line, "I use antlers in all of myde-co-ra-ting"). "Be Our Guest" is transformed into an inspired Busby Berkeley homage.Since Ashman's passing, animated musicals haven't quite reached the same exhilaratinglevel of wit, sophistication, and pure joy. --David Kronke --This text refers to an outof print or unavailable edition of this title. ... Read more Features Reviews (354)
Asin: B00003CX8Y |
|
It's Okay but I Regret Buying The DVD!
|
Toy Story - The Ultimate Toy Box (Collector's Edition) Average Customer Review:  DVD (17 October, 2000) list price: $69.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Toy Story Lasseter's story is universal and magical: what do toys do when they're not played with? Cowboy Woody (voiced by Tom Hanks), Andy's favorite bedroom toy, tries to calm the other toys (some original, some classic) during a wrenching time of year--the birthday party, when newer toys may replace them. Sure enough, Space Ranger Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen) is the new toy that takes over the throne. Buzz has a crucial flaw, though--he believes he's the real Buzz Lightyear, not a toy. Bright and cheerful, Toy Story is much more than a 90-minute commercial for the inevitable bonanza of Woody and Buzz toys. Lasseter further scores with perfect voice casting, including Don Rickles as Mr. Potato Head and Wallace Shawn as a meek dinosaur. The director-animator won a special Oscar for "the development and inspired application of techniques that have made possible the first feature-length computer-animated film." In other words, the movie is great. --Doug Thomas Toy Story 2 Although the toys look the same as in the 1994 feature, Pixar shows how much technology has advanced: the human characters look more human, backgrounds are superior, and two action sequences that book-end the film are dazzling. And it's a hoot for kids and adults. The film is packed with spoofs, easily accessible in-jokes, and inspired voice casting (with newcomer Joan Cusack especially a delight as Cowgirl Jessie). But as the Pixar canon of films illustrates, the filmmakers are storytellers first. Woody's heart-tugging predicament can easily be translated into the eternal debate of living a good life versus livingforever. Toy Story 2 also achieved something in the U.S. two other outstanding 1999 animated features (The Iron Giant, Princess Mononoke) could not: it became a huge box-office hit. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (472)
Asin: B00004U9WR |
|
Buzz Light Year impostor ruined it for me
|
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Disney Special Platinum Edition) Average Customer Review: DVD (09 October, 2001) list price: $29.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review One of the brightest nuggets from Disney's golden age, this 1937 film is almost dizzying in its meticulous construction of an enchanted world, with scores of major and minor characters (including fauna and fowl), each with a distinct identity.When you watch Snow White's intricate, graceful movements of fingers, arms, and head all in one shot, it is not the technical brilliance of Disney's artists that leaps out at you, but the very spirit of her engaging, girl-woman character. When the wicked queen's poisoned apple turns from killer green to rose red, the effect of knowing something so beautiful can be so terrible is absolutely elemental, so pure it forces one to surrender to the horror of it. Based on the Grimm fairy tale, Snow White is probably the best family film ever to deal, in mythic terms, with the psychological foundation for growing up. It's a crowning achievement and should not be missed. --Tom Keogh ... Read more Features Reviews (247)
Asin: B00003CXCQ |
|
|
Tarzan (Disney Collector's Edition) Director: Chris Buck (II), Kevin Lima Average Customer Review: DVD (18 April, 2000) list price: $39.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review After viewing Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Edgar RiceBurroughs wrote to Walt Disney about adapting his novel of an ape-man into a feature animated cartoon. Sixtysome years later, the tale is finally told with brilliant design work that looks unlike any previous animated film. The story is a natural for Disney since the themes of misunderstood central figures have been at the heart of its recent hits. Disney's Tarzan doesn't wander far from the familiar story of a shipwrecked baby who is brought up by apes in Africa. What gives the film its zing is its clever use of music (the songs are sung by Phil Collins himself rather than onscreen characters) and the remarkable animation. Deep Canvas, a 3-D technology, was developed for the film, creating a jungle that comes alive as Tarzan swings through the trees, often looking like a modern skateboarder racing down giant tree limbs. The usual foray of sidekicks, including a rambunctious ape voiced by Rosie O'Donnell, should keep the little ones aptly entertained. The two lead voices, Tony Goldwyn as Tarzan and Minnie Driver as Jane, are inspired choices. Their chemistry helps the story through the weakest points (the last third) and makes Tarzan's initial connection with all things human (including Jane) delicious entertainment. Disney still is not taking risks in its animated films, but as cookie-cutter entertainment, Tarzan makes a pretty good treat. (Ages 5 and up) --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (305)
Asin: B000035Z50 |
|
|
Walt Disney Animated Anthology - The Classic Collector's Set Average Customer Review:  DVD (10 December, 1999) list price: $359.00 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review All nine of Disney's first collection of animated classics on DVD areincluded in this set. Some of the nine titles include bonus features, and the DVD format will provide optimum sound and picture quality for the young and old collector alike. The crown jewels are Pinocchio and The Little Mermaid. The former celebrates its 60th anniversary with a brand new print, while the latter is the 1989 film that revitalized Disney's animation wing and brought new audiences to the art form. Both offer Oscar-winning songs. Two of the popular classics from the '60s are represented with 101 Dalmatians and The Jungle Book, which was thelast animated feature that Walt Disney directly worked on and which saved the animation department when it was a box-office hit in 1967. Hercules and Mulan make great strides in the look of animation. The mythical figures of the former are based on the radical designs of Gerald Scarfe, and the latter makes bold advancements in computer animation in the refreshingly unknown legend of a Chinese girl. The collection rounds out with Lady and the Tramp in a grand widescreen format, the charming Peter Pan that hardly shows its age, and 1998's The Lion King II: Simba's Pride, a made-for-video sequel. Although the sequel is entertaining,it's frustrating to note the original The Lion King has been kept out of circulation completely for a few years (as Disney does with many classics), gearing towards a grand future release into theaters. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (63)
Asin: B00002CF5X |
|
|
A Bug's Life (Collector's Edition) Director: John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton Average Customer Review: DVD (23 November, 1999) list price: $39.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review There was such a magic on the screen in 1995 when the people at Pixar cameupwith the first fully computer-animated film, Toy Story. Their second feature film, A Bug's Life, may miss the bull's-eye but Pixar's target is so lofty, it's hard to find the film anything less thanirresistible. Brighter and more colorful than the other animated insect movie of 1998(Antz), A Bug's Life is the sweetly told story of Flik(voiced by David Foley), an ant searching for better ways to be a bug. Hiscolony unfortunately revolves around feeding and fearing thelocal grasshoppers (lead by Hopper, voiced with gleeful menace by KevinSpacey). When Flik accidentally destroys the seasonal food supply for the grasshoppers he decides to look for help ("We need bigger bugs!"). The ants, led by Princess Atta (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), are eager to dispose of the troublesome Flik. Yet he finds help--a hearty bunch of bug warriors--and brings them back to the colony. Unfortunately they are just traveling performers afraid of conflict. As with Toy Story, the ensemble of creatures and voices is remarkable and often inspired. Highlights include wiseacre comedian Denis Leary as an un-ladylike ladybug, Joe Ranft as the German-accented caterpillar, David Hyde Pierce as a stick bug, and Michael McShane as a pair of unintelligible pillbugs. The scene-stealer is Atta's squeaky-voiced sister, baby Dot (Hayden Panettiere), who has a big sweet spot for Flik. More gentle and kid-friendly than Antz, A Bug Life's stillhas some good suspense and a wonderful demise of the villain. However,the film--a giant worldwide hit--will be remembered for its mostcreative touch: "outtakes" over the end credits à la manylive-action comedy films. These dozen or so scenes (both "editions" ofouttakes are contained here) are brilliant and deserve a specialplace in film history right along with 1998's other most talked-aboutsequence: the opening Normandy invasion in Saving Private Ryan. The video and DVD also contain Pixar's delightful Oscar-winning short, Geri's Game. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (416)
Asin: B00001U0DR |
|
|
Peter Pan (Special Edition) Director: Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson, Hamilton Luske Average Customer Review: DVD (12 February, 2002) list price: $29.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Peter Pan has a special place in the realm of classic animatedDisney films: it instills an element of childlike wonder. The 1953 version of James M. Barrie's story is colorfully told and keeps on the straight and narrow of the book. Barrie's wondrous focus on child's play is the key to its longevity: kids who don't grow up, shadows that run away from their owners, pirates, a fairy, and the magic ability to fly. In short, you can't help wishing the adventure would happen to you. Fueled by a few memorable songs (the stunner being "You Can Fly") and the strong impression of the pixie fairy Tinkerbell and the goofy Captain Hook, Disney's version of this story neither supplants nor lessens the Broadway version with Mary Martin that was produced for television the same decade. Unlike some classics, Peter Pan never ages along the way. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (108)
Asin: B00005RDSM |
|
|
Walt Disney Treasures - Behind the Scenes at the Walt Disney Studio Director: Alfred L. Werker, Jim Handley, Jasper Blystone, Ford Beebe, Hamilton Luske, Erwin L. Verity Average Customer Review: DVD (03 December, 2002) list price: $32.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review As Walt Disney's fame grew during the 1930s, people wanted to know moreabout his studio and how the "Silly Symphonies" and Mickey Mouse shorts werecreated. Although Disney seldom allowed visitors, he periodically offeredviewers peeks inside into the studio through the films in this collection. In1937, Disney made A Trip Through the Walt Disney Studios for hisdistributor, RKO, to help the marketing campaign for Snow White. Thisin-house documentary was later reworked and released as a trailer for the studio'sfirst feature as How Walt Disney Cartoons Are Made. In 1941, humoristRobert Benchley toured the studio and chatted with the artists in TheReluctant Dragon. But the film was released during a bitterly fought strikethat belied its cheerful depiction of the studio. During the '50s, Walt used his studio as a backdrop for several episodes of theDisneyland TV series. "The Story of the Animated Drawing" traces thehistory of the medium, including re-creations of Emil Reynaud's Théâtre Optique(1892-1900) and Winsor McCay's vaudeville routine with his landmark filmGertie the Dinosaur (1914). "Tricks of Our Trade," which focuses on thecreation of Sleeping Beauty, shows staged footage of four of thecelebrated "Nine Old Men"--Marc Davis, Milt Kahl, Frank Thomas, and OllieJohnston--sketching. In the DVD bonus material, host Leonard Maltin traces thedevelopment of the studio facilities from a Los Angeles garage to its presentlocation in Burbank. Maltin also chats with Disney legend Joe Grant, who cowrotethe "Baby Weems" sequence in Reluctant Dragon. Recorded at the time ofGrant's 94th birthday, the artist displays the sly wit that continues to inspireanimators. (Unrated: Suitable for all ages: cartoon violence) --CharlesSolomon ... Read more Features Reviews (11)
It's a shame the company has lost the magic it once had. Walt seemed like a genuine nice guy. He really did care about making people happy, and trying new things in animation. And you can't blame Roy E. Disney for leaving the company, stating "they don't put their hearts into anything anymore". Though it's sad the company is going to be forgotten once Pixar's contract with them expires. Compare every feature Disney's put out since The Hunchback of Notre Dame to some before that point. They're almost all forgettable, save the Pixar ones. And with recent efforts like Home on the Range, are they even trying any more? The animation quality of that looked like one of their many direct-to-video sequels which seem to be their new trend. Also on disc 1 are "A Trip Through the Walt Disney Studios" and "How Walt Disney Cartoons Are Made". They're both essentially the same program, with the second having a new narrator, some added dialogue, and clips from the premiere of Snow White. These were used as promotional bits to let people know what to expect soon. Leonard gives us a tour of the studio and well...*does halfway hand gesture* it's ok. It's not as in-depth as it could've been, but it was nice to see a few things not shown in any of the other programs. "Behind the Scenes on Baby Weems" is a quick interview with Joe Grand. Also included are photo galleries from The Reluctant Dragon and the Disney Studios. On disc 2 we get 3 Disneyland TV broadcasts: "The Story of the Animated Drawing", "The Plausible Impossible" and "Tricks of Our Trade". While they're all very good, the best of the bunch is easily "The Story of the Animated Drawing". It's a thorough feature, going back over 100 years, showing us each step in the history of animation. I tell you, some of the guys in the late 1800's/early 1900's...they were geniuses. And if they could see how far animation's come since their time, it'd be overwhelming. Especially on how easy it is to make a cartoon now. From inventors using huge reels of film to project their short features on screen, to carnival sideshows using animation in their attractions. After watching this one, I almost hate all new forms of animation techniques. Using a computer to create huge CG worlds is nothing compared to what some of these guys went through just to give people something new to see. There's also a rare Australian radio interview with some of the Disney crew and Walt. It's enjoyable, if a bit fake. The woman interviewing everyone has little personality, and the whole thing seems edited just to fit her responses. Never the less, they shed good information, including a little bit on Song of the South. Just hearing them talk about that is a tease since it's likely to not be rereleased ever again. C'mon Disney, that was how animation was done back then. You put can put out dozens of cartoons showing how you portrayed Asians and Germans, but African Americans is a no-no? I hope people keep petitioning to get Song of the South released again. The big fuss Disney's making over it makes it sound like it's just the most racist piece of film ever released. I saw some of it a few years ago and it was nothing but a happy family short. But Leonard's done a good job giving us these gems, and if anyone can get SotS for us, it's him. There's also a gallery for Kem Webber's art. I couldn't find any Easter Eggs on either disc, so I doubt there are any. If you see this Treasure laying around, get it. I got mine just a few weeks ago for the same price as the new Treasures amazingly. Since it's the least popular from the second wave released 2 years ago, some are still laying around I guess. But don't get these from Amazon's Used & New- most of the sellers say they're new, but are missing the tin. How do you just go and lose the tin for these? Obviously they're bootlegs. Good luck though. I'd place this right behind On the Front Lines as far as the total package goes.
Also See: Silly Symphonies Was this review helpful to you?
Also See: Silly Symphonies Asin: B00006II6P |
|
|
Walt Disney Treasures - Disneyland USA Director: Hamilton Luske, William Beaudine Average Customer Review: DVD (04 December, 2001) list price: $32.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review To finance Disneyland he wanted to build, Walt Disney turned tothe new medium of television. As host Leonard Maltin notes on this two- disc set of televised specials for the amusement park, Disney used theseries to promote it, "and no one seemed to mind." ABC agreed to investin return for a weekly one-hour program. The "Disneyland" TV showpremiered on October 27, 1954: "Disneyland Story" introduced the parkand its various lands, which would be the subject of future programs.The opening-day special, "Dateline Disneyland" (July 17, 1955),attracted an estimated audience of 90 million--virtually everytelevision household in America. Hosted by Art Linkletter, RobertCummings, and Ronald Reagan, the live broadcast includes such unplannedmoments as Linkletter searching frantically for a microphone inFantasyland. The Tenth Anniversary show (January 3, 1965) featurescameos of Mary Blair and Marc Davis, two celebrated animation artists.Home movie footage of Walt pacing off distances at the barren site inAnaheim is intercut with peeks at forthcoming attractions. "DisneylandAfter Dark" (April 15, 1962) offers performances by Annette Funicello,Bobby Burgess, Bobby Rydell, Louis Armstrong, and a prepubescentquartet of Osmond Brothers. A must-have set for Disneyland buffs,Disney collectors, and nostalgic baby boomers. --Charles Solomon ... Read more Features Reviews (55)
Asin: B00005KARE |
|
The star (Disneyland) deserves more screen time.
|
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh (25th Anniversary Edition) Director: John Lounsbery, Wolfgang Reitherman Average Customer Review: DVD (07 May, 2002) list price: $29.99 -- our price: $22.49 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Disney's 1977 The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh may be the last word on (animated) Pooh because it so faithfully honors the first word on Pooh, penned in the 1920s by British storyteller A.A. Milne. Gently paced, subtly humorous, and blessedly understated, this adaptation reflects Walt Disney's original vision to develop the beloved British bear for a wider audience. The film is essentially a collection of the original Pooh shorts, "The Honey Tree," "The Blustery Day," and "Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too." These storybooks are presented in seamless "chapters," narrated by the timeless Sebastian Cabot. The familiar musical score and original voices of Sterling Holloway as Pooh, and Paul Winchell as Tigger, cap this enchanting keepsake. (Ages 2 and up). --Lynn Gibson ... Read more Features Reviews (51)
Asin: B00005T7HD |
$22.49 |
|
Lady & The Tramp II - Scamp's Adventure Director: Darrell Rooney, Jeannine Roussel Average Customer Review:  DVD (24 June, 2003) list price: $29.99 -- our price: $26.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review One of the remarkable things about making an animated sequel is that actors don't age. It took Disney 46 years to make a sequel to its 1955 hit Lady and the Tramp, yet the events of this made-for-video sequel take place only six months later. Lady and Tramp are getting along fine with their human family, the Darlings, and they have four new puppies. The three girl puppies take after mom, the boy, Scamp, has a lot of dad in him. Scamp dreams of "being a real dog," and that means living on the street as a member of the Junkyard Dogs. Despite his dad's warnings, Scamp (voiced by Scott Wolf) runs off and goes through the trials of a mutt, including run-ins with Junkyard leader Buster (Chazz Palminteri); the dog catcher (Don Knotts); and a fellow stray, Angel (Alyssa Milano). The formula here is the same as other Disney direct-to-video sequels The Lion King and The Little Mermaid, and the justification to return to a classic movie is flimsy at best. To its credit, Disney has made a quality effort in the animation department, adapting sets and characters from the original with great success. But the story is never engaging, the songs are forgettable, and the impact unsustainable (and at 62 minutes, quite trite). Nevertheless, a Disney kid should dig Scamp's rough-and-tumble adventures and the cute tale of puppy love (Scamp and Angel even revisit the Italian diner). The purist: beware. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (73)
Asin: B0000524D0 |
$26.99 |
|
Sleeping Beauty (Special Edition) Director: Clyde Geronimi Average Customer Review: DVD (09 September, 2003) list price: $29.99 US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Disney's 1959 animated effort was the studio's most ambitious to date, a widescreen spectacle boasting a gorgeous waltz-filled score adapting Tchaikovsky. In the 14th century, the malevolent Maleficent (not dissimilar to the wicked Queen in Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs) taunts a king that his infant Aurora will fatally prick her finger on a spinning wheel before sundown on her 16th birthday. This, of course, would deny her a happily-ever-after with her true love. Things almost but not quite turn out that way, thanks to the assistance of some bubbly, bumbling fairies named Flora, Fauna, and Merryweather. It's not really all that much about the title character--how interesting can someone in the middle of a long nap be, anyway? Instead, those fairies carry the day, as well as, of course, good Prince Phillip, whose battle with the malevolent Maleficent in the guise of a dragon has been co-opted by any number of animated films since. See it in its original glory here. And Malificent's castle, filled with warthogs and demonic imps in a macabre dance celebrating their evil ways, manages a certain creepy grandeur. --David Kronke ... Read more Features Reviews (165)
Asin: B00005JKHN |
|
|
The Lion King (Disney Special Platinum Edition Collector's Gift Set) Director: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff Average Customer Review: DVD (07 October, 2003) list price: $49.99 -- our price: $44.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review Not an ideal choice for younger kids, this hip and violent animated feature from Disney was nevertheless a huge smash in theaters and on video, and it continues to enjoy life in an acclaimed Broadway production. The story finds a lion cub, son of a king, sent into exile after his father is sabotaged by a rivalrous uncle. The little hero finds his way into the "circle of life" with some new friends and eventually comes back to reclaim his proper place. Characters are very strong, vocal performances by the likes of Jeremy Irons, Nathan Lane, and Whoopi Goldberg are terrific, the jokes are aimed as much (if not more) at adults than kids, the animation is sometimes breathtaking, and the music is more palatable than in many Disney features. But be cautious: this is too intense for the Rugrat crowd. --Tom Keogh ... Read more Features Reviews (370)
Asin: B00008XEOI |
$44.99 |
|
20,000 Leagues Under The Sea (Special Edition) Director: Richard Fleischer Average Customer Review: DVD (02 March, 2004) list price: $19.99 -- our price: $14.99 (price subject to change: see help) US | Canada | United Kingdom | Germany | France Editorial Review The swashbuckler genre bumped into science fiction in 1954 for one of Hollywood's great entertainments. The Jules Verne story of adventure under the sea was Walt Disney's magnificent debut into live-action films. A professor (Paul Lukas) seeks the truth about a legendary sea monster in the years just after the Civil War. When his ship is sunk, he, his aide (Peter Lorre), and a harpoon master (Kirk Douglas) survive to discover that the monsteris actually a metal submarine run by Captain Nemo (James Mason). Along with the rollicking adventure, it's fun to see the future technology that Verne dreamed up in his novel, including diving equipment and sea farming. The film's physical prowess is anchored by the Nautilus, an impressive full-scale gothic submarine complete with red carpet and pipe organ. In the era of big sets,20,000 Leagues set a precedent for films shot on the water anddeservedly won Oscars for art direction and special effects. Lost in the inventiveness of the film and great set pieces including a giant squid attack are two great performances. Mason is the perfect Nemo, taut and private, clothed in dark fabric that counters the Technicolor dreamboat that is the beaming red-and-white-stripe-shirted Kirk Douglas as the heroic Ned Land. The film works as peerless family adventure nearly half a century later. --Doug Thomas ... Read more Features Reviews (53)
|