Release Info:
Original Release Dates: July 9, 1982 and December 17, 2010
DVD Release Date: April 5, 2011
Online Availability: Amazon for $49.99

I am a child of the 80s. I also had the opportunity to meet actor, Bruce Boxleitner, when I was a child. I have a progressive muscle disease, so when I went to Hollywood for my Make-a-Wish, Bruce was one of the people I met. He was great, very courteous and happy to meet me. This was back in 1990, with Tron still a remembered and watched movie. Over time, the film had the chance to fall by the wayside. As other, 80s classics were reintroduced to the newer generations, and as technology progressed to become amazing, Tron seemed to become virtually obsolete. I have to admit I had all but forgotten about the film, since I had not seen it nor heard about it in years.

Then, along comes a new set of writers and a new director, and Tron reemerged from the place where it had been buried for years. Thanks to the sequel, Tron: Legacy, a new generation has been able to embrace a concept that started with technology way before its time. Who knew how popular and necessary computers and their programs would become? We certainly had no idea in 1982. Yes, computers were emerging as important in the business world, but the creators of Tron had the ability to think outside the box. Now, more than ever, Tron seems relevant. Due to our knowledge of how far technology can go and has been going, it is easy to see this film as a predecessor to what really happened, technologically speaking, to our world.

When Tron: Legacy was being developed, the creative team behind it obviously realized, and took advantage of, the fact that the technological world of today could expand to make sense within the world of Tron. This is part of what I believe made the film a successful sequel. I liked it. Sure, it received mixed reviews, but I wonder how many of those critics actually got the film. How Tron: Legacy evolves is perfect, in relation to how Tron ended. The most intriguing part of all of this was the character played by Olivia Wilde, Quorra. What a great idea for a concept, and it was definitely the most unexpected part of the film.

While I enjoyed the storyline of the original Tron, the story for Tron: Legacy was pretty good. The visuals for the second film are downright stunning. Both films are visual masterpieces of their time, though the sequel is a visual wonder for today. The soundtracks, especially the one for Tron: Legacy, by Daft Punk, add to the technological feel and suits the film well. My big complaint is with the dialogue in Tron: Legacy. Some of it is downright hokey. The cheese factor distracts from the realization that the story behind the film is a pretty good concept and makes it seem almost like a joke. Of course, the entire dialogue isn’t like this, so the cheesiness can be ignored, by concentrating on how excellent the visuals are.

The nice thing about this five-disc collection is the fact that both movies, Tron and Tron: Legacy are included in it. Those who never had the chance to see the original can check it out in Blu-Ray. The sequel is available in Blu-Ray, Blu-Ray 3D, DVD and Digital Copy. With so many different formats, no matter where you are, you can bring the Tron franchise with you. While I am not sure about a third title being added to this series, I do enjoy both Tron and Tron: Legacy, and will explain why I believe purchasing this Collection is worth it, throughout my review.

The Tron and Tron: Legacy Plots
In the original film, Tron, software engineer/computer genius, Kevin Flynn (Jeff Bridges), is using a program he developed, Clu, to hack into the mainframe computer of his former employer, ENCOM. When Clu disappears, Flynn realizes something fishy is going on at the company. Ed Dillinger, the senior executive who saw to the firing of Flynn, since he stole Flynn’s ideas and passed them off as his own, is informed by the Master Control Program of Flynn’s attempted entry, so he shuts out all of his other programmers from the system, until things are under control.

When programmer, Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), is shut out of the system, he questions Dillinger’s judgment. His girlfriend, another ENCOM employee, Lora Baines (Cindy Morgan), who has been working on a laser project with ENCOM founder, Dr. Walter Gibbs (Barnard Hughes), goes with Alan to warn Flynn about the crackdown, since Dillinger assumes Flynn is the one breaking in and creating the security conflicts. Lora is Flynn’s ex, and the tension is high between the three, but they soon bring Flynn from the arcade he runs to ENCOM headquarters, to help him get the proof he seeks, concerning Dillinger stealing his concepts/work.

As Alan attempts to find his program, Tron, which can shut down the Master Control Program so Flynn can find his evidence, Lora leaves Flynn at her workstation. With a laser right behind him, Master Control Program zaps Flynn into the world of computers, where he must fight for his life and find his way out of the intricate, interweb universe. Of course, Master Control Program has taken over, and Clu, Tron and many other programs have been kept under his control or worse, destroyed. It is up to Flynn, the only User in a world of programs, to find a way to override Master Control Program and get himself back into the real world unharmed.

The following plot outline contains spoilers that may ruin your viewing experience with the original Tron film. If you have not seen it, read with caution.

Some years after Tron ends, Kevin Flynn disappears. The year is 1989 and he leaves behind a young son, who he has been raising since his mother’s death. Young Sam Flynn is heartbroken at his father’s disappearance, though he continues to hold out hope he will return. With Flynn’s disappearance, Sam has become the leading shareholder of ENCOM, though he is too young to show much interest in the company his father took over as CEO of, at the end of the first film.

Twenty years pass and Sam (Garrett Hedlund), a brilliant computer mind, is content pranking the company he has control over. Alan Bradley (Bruce Boxleitner), continues to serve on the board, though he is much older and is not as hip as the lead software developer Ed Dillinger Jr. (Cillian Murphy). After a massive prank that makes the board of ENCOM look like asshats, and gets Sam arrested, Alan goes to see him. He informs him that he received a page from Kevin Flynn’s arcade store phone, a number that has been disconnected since Kevin disappeared. He advises Sam to check it out.

Sam heads to the arcade, where he discovers a hidden room and a the secret project his father was working on when he disappeared. He also finds a way into the computer world his father entered in the first film. There, the world is cold, calculating and run by Clu, who has turned evil. Tron has disappeared and is considered dead, and Kevin Flynn has been living out in the fringes of the world. As Sam tries to escape from Clu, who has him participate in the games’, Flynn’s protegee, Quorra (Olivia Wilde) rescues Sam and reunites him with his father.

Sam is shocked to learn his father has not been fighting Clu, even though Flynn believes he can’t. Flynn explains how he was able to create a new breed through developing this world with Clu and Tron. The breed, the ISOs, have all been wiped out, except for one, whom Flynn believes can help cure diseases in the real world. Sam soon realizes he will be trapped in the world unless he finds the escape portal. With Quorra’s help he sets out to make it home, knowing once he is there, he and Alan can shut Clu down.

Storyline/Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
I already mentioned that Tron: Legacy is a visual masterpiece. It is eye candy above all else. However, longtime Tron fans, like myself, have hit pay dirt as the original classic, Tron, has been remastered, in Blu-Ray. The good news is that the remastered film looks downright exceptional. While the film is nearly as old as I am, this fixed up version does not look like it is that old. The only thing to give away it’s age is Bruce Boxleitner’s early 80s clothes and dreadful glasses. Of course, the world outside the GRID looks far better than the world inside it.

The GRID looks great, but the effects look like 80s effects that just happen to be really pretty! Today, our effects are high tech, with less pixelation and 3D coloring and shading. The GRID helps to date the film, though even these sequences look amazing for what they are. Honestly, I believe that this adds charm to the film and those who are old fans will appreciate Disney did not give it the 2011 treatment.

There are instances of grain, especially during the CG GRID sequences. Colors are robust and pop off the screen while black levels remain consistent. The film is presented at a 2.20:1 aspect ratio with an image that is letterboxed. Overall, this transfer is downright amazing and worth every penny you will pay to upgrade from the previously released DVD.

I cannot review the quality of the Blu-Ray 3D because I do not have a television capable of 3D. However, those that do will get to take advantage of this new, at home technology. You will need a TV capable of showing 3D, 3D glasses to use this disc, but I’ve heard the 3D version that played in theaters is pretty good.

Tron: Legacy is the type of film that Blu-Ray 2D technology was made for, and it shows in this release. Every image in and out of the GRID is stunning. You will see every single nuance and detail through the visual quality of this feature. The entire film features crystal clear picture, with rich, engaging colors. Strong black levels accompany a new perfect picture. The image is free of typical visual errors like aliasing, grain, and an out of focus lack of sharpness. The vibrant colors are highlighted by the glowing within the GRID, which pops the colors off the screen and dazzles the eyes.

Unlike most Blu-Ray releases, Tron: Legacy has a unique visual feature. The film adapts to the scene that it is playing. The majority of the film is in 2.35:1 and it changes to 1.78:1 randomly. I didn’t really notice the changes, as I was immersed in the other visual pleasures that were a sight to behold. This is to try to replicate the IMAX experience, which was such a potent part of the film’s in theater promotion. The film looks worthy of IMAX and nearly as great as it does in theaters, especially if you have a big screen television.

The audio for both Tron and Tron: Legacy feature lossless DTS-HD Master Audio soundtracks. Tron is remixed into a Dolby 5.1 track, while the DTS-HD audio for the sequel is relegated to eight different, monstrous sound channels. Both films feature English subtitles, though you shouldn’t need to rely on them too much as the audio sounds crisp, concise and no sound overpowers another. The most amazing part is that the remastered audio for the original film does not sound like it was recorded close to 30 years ago. It sounds as good as the sequel. As far as aesthetics go, this set is superb. You can’t ask for much more than what was offered in this set.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
When it comes to bonus features, this set is chock full of them. First, I need to say some were ported over from the Tron DVD release that came out previously. Others are too short and leave fans wanting more. While this is, by no means, a truly comprehensive set of bonuses, there is quite a bit here. This could have been a bare bones release, but Disney does try to bring on the bonuses, and though better features are needed, what is here is also pretty cool, too.

Starting with the original classic, Tron, here is a list of the bonus features included with the Blu-Ray and a short description of each:

The Tron Phenomenon: Featured in HD, this feature lasts around 10 minutes. This is one of the brand new features developed with this release, which make this set worth having. The cast of the sequel discuss how groundbreaking this original film was and though it has a hint of promotional in it, it is still fun to hear their thoughts.

Photo Tronology: Another, brand new, HD feature, this time just shy of 20 minutes, is an extra with Steven Lisberger, the writer and director of the original film. Lisberger is allowed to view the Disney archives for Tron. He brings along his son and the two go through photos, strips of film, and other pieces of making of memorabilia. Lisberger’s son is the age he was when he first started making Tron. It is touching to see just what kind of stories he shares with his younger generation of family. This is, easily, the most amazing feature in the set.

The Making of Tron: Ported over to the Blu-Ray, this documentary was released in 2002. It is around 90 minutes in length and is quite comprehensive. This has to be one of the best making ofs I’ve ever seen. There is a lot of detail into the complex processes used to create CG effects never before attempted, and how impossible they seemed at the time of filming. Every aspect of the filmmaking process is explored in this feature, and then some.

Audio Commentary: Another ported over feature, this commentary is with writer/director Steven Lisberger, producer Donald Kushner, associate producer/visual effects supervisor Harrison Ellenshaw, and visual effects supervisor Richard Taylor. This is a feature that is over 10 years old. If you like learning about the technical aspects of filmmaking, this is a great commentary, otherwise, you might find this a bit bland and somewhat confusing.

Deleted Scenes: There is six minutes worth of deleted footage with explanations by Steven Lisberger on why some scenes got chopped.

Development: This is a grouping of ported over features from previous releases of Tron. This set of features runs for around eight minutes in length. These features look at the visual effects for the film.

Digital Imagery: Another grouping of ported bonuses comes in at around 12 minutes in length. The featurettes in this set explore the extensive work done through the backlit animation for the film.

Music: This eight minutes of feature looks at the lightcycle chase with a full score by Wendy Carlos.

Publicity: As this section implies, it is filled with promotional material for Tron. There is 13 minutes of material here. There is a promotional reel sent to theaters when Tron was trying to find places to be released. There are also a selection of trailers, including a mock trailer.

Design: This is a selection of design mini-features. There is four minutes of footage. Steven Lisberger introduces the section. There are animation tests for the lightcycle sequences, a look at the original concept for the lightcycles, and a peek into the Recognizer in “Space Paranoids”.

Storyboarding: For this set of features, there is nine minutes offered. The storyboards are compared to the on screen lightcycles chase, and there are storyboards for the title shot, CG sequences, and more.

Finally, there is a selection of galleries. These include galleries for Design, Early Concept Art, Publicity and Production Photos, and Storyboard Art.

Finally, there is a selection of extras for Tron: Legacy. Sadly, what is here isn’t as good as what is available for the original. Here is a list with descriptions of the features for the sequel:

Second Screen: I LOVED this. You can download an app on your iPad or laptop and sync it up with the movie. You can do this through a network that connects, and as the film plays, your laptop or iPad offers a view of concept art, visual effects progression reels, and rotating 3D models. It occurred at key moments. If you have a desktop, this feature is going to suck, but otherwise it is tres cool!

The Next Day: Flynn Revealed: This HD feature was added specifically for the Blu-Ray release of Tron: Legacy. This is a feature that looks into what happened at ENCOM after Flynn left, and what happens the day after Sam returns at the end of the film. There are some really cool moments in this and it certainly makes the prospect of a Part Three that much more appealing.

Launching the Legacy: This is an HD feature that comes in at around 10 minutes in length. It serves as a pseudo-making of for Tron: Legacy. You’ll get the chance to check out test footage, how the screenplay came to be and how it was made to stay true to the original, storyboards, and more. Though it should have been longer, I liked what was here.

Visualizing Tron: So many of the features on both films explore the visual world of Tron and this is no exception. This feature is around 12 minutes. It looks into how the visual effects came to be (including de-aging Jeff Bridges), looks at the geography within The Grid, costume design, and the link visually between the two films.

Installing the Cast: This is pretty robust for a cast featurette. It explores the actors and their roles in the film.

Disc Roars: It’s just three minutes in length but it lets you know exactly how the crowd scenes at the gladiatorial games were created.

First Look at Tron: Uprising: If you are excited about the Disney XD series coming, this just over a minute sneek peek is going to make you want more.

Music Video: The final feature is three minutes of HD music video for Daft Punk’s “Derezzed”.

Bonus Features: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
One of the greatest parts of growing up in the 80s was watching Science Fiction films with cheesy, 80s graphics and great storylines. Tron was one of those films. It is great to have this old classic back on my shelf, and to have the sequel along with it. There are many great bonuses, and every format of Tron: Legacy you want is included in this set. If you like fast-paced Sci Fi adventure films, especially ones the majority of the family can enjoy together, this is the set for you. Tron: Legacy / Tron: The Original Classic Five-Disc Combo Set comes highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 4.29 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Tron, Tron Legacy, The original classic, film, Blu-Ray, DVD Combo Pack, Blu-Ray 3D, Jeff Bridges, Bruce Boxleitner, Disney, Computers, Video Games, review

Release Info:
Theatrical Release Dates: January 6, 1942 and December 31, 1999
DVD Release Date: November 30, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $27.99

I grew up loving the sounds of classical music. Not many parents introduce their children to vibrant, concert quality music these days. I saw Fantasia many times when I was a kid. I owned the VHS of it in the clam-shell case. I now own the Blu-Ray and DVD thanks to this review. When we typically think of Disney movies, Fantasia is usually not the first movie that comes to mind. These days, it seems to be one of the under-appreciated gems that Walt Disney held near and dear to his own heart. People are not used to animation with no sound. There are no sound effects or dialogue. There is only music, and that is the way this film was intended to be. As an audience member, the goal is to sit back and enjoy the beautiful, harmonic melodies, as you watch the stories each piece is telling unfold before your very eyes.

Ashtyn, my girlfriend, had never seen Fantasia. Like most people she dismissed it as a silly, frivolous piece of Disney art. Oh, she had no doubt it was good, but she was certain it was not exactly her cup of tea. Things changed after she watched it. The film is framed around Mickey Mouse’s comeback in “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, which has to be the highlight of the film. Though filmmakers, and Disney himself, used the same tender, loving care to make all the other Fantasia segments, this one stands out, as it is the very best. Mickey Mouse shines as only he can and oh what a comeback he made! Ash was surprised by how much she truly ended up liking Fantasia far more than she thought she would. There is something endearing about this film, and the music, under the direction of Leopold Stokowski, is absolutely brilliant.

I had never seen Fantasia 2000 before receiving it for review. I believe it is a worthy sequel to Fantasia. It follows the same kind of formula with animated features set to classical music. It also has introductions by famous people. I really enjoyed seeing the amazing violinist, Itzhak Perlman, as well as musical legends like Quincy Jones and Bette Midler in this. These are true music enthusiasts, who have the chance to share their love of music through these orchestrations by James Levine and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.

I implore parents to give these two films a chance and to introduce their children to classical music, through Fantasia and Fantasia 2000. There is nothing like enjoying the sweet sound of music as performed by an orchestra, and these films present such music in a fun and imaginative way. Walt Disney wanted to breathe new life into his beloved Mickey Mouse. As new characters developed, Mickey was pushed to the side, but Walt had faith his little mouse would find a way to reconnect with his audience. As Mickey brought life into Fantasia, all of the characters of these two films bring fantastical interpretations to both new orchestrations and old ones that had been around for years. While this may not be the Disney film you watch over and over with your kids, it needs to be the one you DO watch with them to inspire them to be creative, open and imaginative.

The Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 Plots
The original film was shown back in the 1940s. At that time, the Philadelphia Orchestra performed the pieces, as they were conducted by Leopold Stokowski. Fantasia is set up to feature nine different animation segments interspersed with live-action introductions and visions of an orchestra playing. The orchestra on screen is not the one actually making the lovely music, though. It is made up of local musicians from the L.A. area and those involved with this film project in other ways. Stokowski does serve as the conductor and can be seen on screen, especially during the melodic opening of the film.

The segments for Fantasia include “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”, “Night on Bald Mountain”/”Ave Maria”, “Nutcracker Suite”, “The Rite of Spring”, “Intermission”/”Meet the Soundtrack”, “The Pastoral Symphony” and “Dance of the Hours”. The film features music from composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach (his “Toccata and Fugue in D Minor” was adapted for a complete orchestra), Tchaikovsky (“Nutcracker Suite”), Igor Stravinsky (“The Rite of Spring”), Ludwig van Beethoven (“The Pastoral Symphony”) and Franz Schubert (“Ave Maria”), amongst others.

Each musical sequence tells its own animated story. For example, “Dance of the Hours” by Amilcare Ponchielli features Madame Upanova and her dancing ostriches in the morning, Hyacinth Hippo and her dancing servants for the daytime, Elephanchine and her bubble-blowing elephant troupe for the evening and Ben Ali Gator and his troop of dancing alligators for the night. When all of the characters meet, chaos ensues until they realize they all have the same goal. Together they dance, though there is definitely a surprise ending.

The most famous piece in Fantasia is “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice”. Set to the music of Paul Dukas, and based on the poem “Der Zauberlehrling” by Goethe, it tells the story of a lazy sorcerer’s apprentice, as portrayed by Mickey Mouse. He is the apprentice of Yen Sid, and as he is taking a rest, the apprentice uses a magical hat he saw Yen Sid use previously, to attempt to get his chores done more quickly (and without him having to do the work). Unfortunately, the apprentice does not yet have his powers under control, so he ends up making a bigger mess. As he floods the tower, each effort to get it under control causes more damage. Finally, Yen Sid must discover what his young apprentice has been up to, and qualm the rushing waters, before more damage occurs. This is the hallmark of Fantasia and it also appears in Fantasia 2000 due to its popularity and recognizability.

Speaking of Fantasia 2000, this sequel features celebrities in the live-action sequences. The aforementioned stars are joined by the likes of Penn and Teller, Angela Lansbury and Steve Martin. The music that is featured in Fantasia 2000 includes “Symphony No. 5 in C minor-I. Allegro con brio” by Ludwig Von Beethoven, “Rhapsody in Blue” by George Gershwin, “Pines of Rome” by Ottorino Respighi, “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” by Paul Dukas, “Pomp and Circumstance – Marches 1, 2, 3 and 4″ by Edward Elgars, “Piano Concerto No. 2 in F Major-I. Allegro” by Dmitri Shostakovich and “Firebird Suite” by Igor Stravinsky. The animations for these segments offer animated, flying humpback whales, people in Depression-Era New York City, the story of a soldier, a flock of flamingos doing slapstick comedy, Donald Duck on Noah’s Ark, and a forest sprite and elk.

Fantasia 2000 features an animation style incredibly similar to that in Fantasia. You can tell the artists took care in making the two films look like they were sequels. From the opening sequences, which feature splashes of liquid color reminiscent of the water splashing around during “The Sorcerer’s Apprentice” to the anthropomorphic nature of the animals that pepper throughout the various segments, these movies are interlinked by more than just their lack of dialogue and classical music motifs.

Both of these films contain segments with abstract art and animation. In Fantasia, the opening sequence features various degrees of light and darkness that play with the shadows that are created by the conductor and members of the symphony orchestra, due to changes in lighting. In Fantasia 2000, the opening sequence features abstract patterns. The patterns play with the ideas of light and darkness, and feature shapes within the patterns that resemble bats and butterflies within the light and dark. These shapes change, though they resemble various kinds of butterflies and bats, depending on the scene, with the first appearing as splashes along the sky and clouds.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
These newly restored films look brilliant in Blu-Ray. First, let’s start with Fantasia. The Fantasia Blu-Ray is really what matters in this set, though there is a DVD in it, which is of decent quality. The Blu-Ray features 1080p, HD video at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. it looks absolutely amazing. For its age, you’d be hard-pressed to find a quality as good as this one. I did not notice any major visual errors that would denigrate my viewing pleasure. Likewise, the more modern Fantasia 2000 looks exceptionally good. Since it is newer, more could be done to make this film explode from the screen in an array of colors. It is presented at a 1.78:1 aspect ratio in 1080p HD. Disney does wonders when it comes to film restoration and you can truly see the care put into restoring these two films for Blu-Ray.

The audio for the Fantasia Blu-Ray is as awesome as the video quality. The prime track is English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio. Everything sounds amazing. The restoration of this track has brought Fantasia to life in new and astounding ways. This truly sounds like a party in your ears. With a soundtrack driven film like Fantasia, a strong audio track is a necessity and this one succeeds on all levels. The disc also features 5.1 DEHT French and Spanish language tracks and English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Fantasia 2000 features an English 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio track. I did not think a track could get any better than the one in Fantasia, but this one does. This Blu-Ray also features 5.1 DEHT French and Spanish language tracks and English SDH, French and Spanish subtitles. Both tracks are explosive, vibrant, and all-encompassing in their sound.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
In true Disney fashion, this four-disc set for Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 are full of bonus features. We’ll get started right away and list what is offered for each film.

Fantasia

On the DVD

Audio Commentary: There is a commentary with Brian Sibley, who is a Disney Historian. I found this commentary to be absolutely fascinating.

Disney Family Museum: This is a five minute mini-feature where Diane Disney-Miller, the daughter of Walt, shows viewers around the new Disney Family Museum, which is located in San Francisco. The reason this is included is because the museum features an extensive Fantasia exhibit. Within this museum is the famed Schultheis notebook, which contains production notes for the film. It was found recently in the walls of a convent.

On the Blu-Ray

The aforementioned features are also included on the Blu-Ray version of Fantasia. There are also the following, additional features.

Disney View: This is really another visual mode for the film. It is presented at a 16×9 aspect ratio and features original artwork by a Disney artist to accompany this new design mode.

The Shultheis Notebook: A Disney Treasure: This is an actual feature that is just shy of 15 minutes in length. It explores, more in depth, the infamous Shultheis Notebook. The notebook was created by one of Fantasia‘s special effects crew members, Herman Schultheis. It offers extensive production notes that reveal many of the special effects secrets used in the film. This is significant because many of these effects had baffled animators when trying to replicate their creation, in modern day animation features until finding Schultheis’ technical guide.

Audio Commentaries: There is a commentary with executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, animation historian, John Canemaker, and the film restoration manager Scott McQueen and one hosted by John Canemaker, which features interviews and story note recreations by Walt Disney.

Finally, there are a selection of Art Galleries and Screensavers that feature pictures in HD and Blu-Ray interactivity.

Fantasia 2000

On the DVD

‘Musicana’ – Walt’s Inspiration for a Sequel: This featurette is ten minutes in length. Walt always intended to have a Fantasia sequel. This looks at the artwork created for that, which was to be named Musicana. The goal for this project from the 70s was to explore different cultures using classical music. John Lasseter was even working on a feature with Walt called “The Emperor and the Nightingale”. This featurette explores why this sequel never was made.

On The Blu-Ray

Besides the feature on the DVD, the Blu-Ray contains:

‘Dali & Disney: A Date With Destino’: This is an extensive featurette that is over 80 minutes in length. It is a documentary that looks at the relationship Walt Disney had with Salvador Dali. It also looks at why it took so long for the Destino short to see the light of day. This featurette is chock full of Disney-fun and information.

Destino: The highly-anticipated short that is around seven minutes in length. This is the legacy of Walt Disney and Salvador Dali.

Disney’s Virtual Vault A feature of BD-Live that offers original DVD Bonus Features that were a part of the Legacy Collection.

Audio Commentaries: There is a commentary with executive producer Roy E. Disney, conductor James Levine, and producer Don Ernst and one with the directors and art directors of the various segments.

Bonus Features: 5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Now is the time to teach your children about the joys of classical music. The colorful, artistic nature of Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 makes these movies stand out amongst a plethora of standard animation features produced by Disney. Walt Disney and the artists behind these films believed they had attained artistic achievements for the development of the Fantasia films and I tend to agree. These will probably not be films you and your children watch daily, but they are must-haves to add to your Disney collection. You need to own these films because they are truly artistic masterpieces you and your family will cherish for decades to come.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Fantasia, Fantasia 2000, Blu-Ray DVD Combo, Blu-Ray Review, Disney, Mickey Mouse, Classic Disney, Family movie, animated

Release Info:
Theatrical Release Date: June 18, 2010
DVD Release Date: November 2, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.99

I have long been a fan of Toy Story. My son was a baby when the first movies came out, and by the time he was a toddler he loved Woody and Buzz as much as I did. We even had his room decorated with a Toy Story theme. The first two movies, Toy Story and Toy Story 2 are near and dear to my heart. I was a young, new mom and my baby was as enamored with Toy Story as I was. This was when Pixar was first making itself known and it did so with a bang. You honestly will not find a better animation company for families, today. The stories are genuine, heartfelt, and parents can fall in love with them as much as their kids.

Naturally, when I heard they were making a Toy Story 3, I was excited. By the end, I was disappointed, heartbroken and saddened that such a story had to come to an end. I am a purist. I believe the toys should stay with Andy, and it broke my heart when something else, I won’t spoil it more than I already have, happened. Yes, Pixar can make a great story, but I did not want this movie to end the way it did. Not after the adventures of the two other films, which showed Andy’s love and adoration for his toys. Who would not want them to stay together forever?

Of course, I am finding I am in the minority. My son, now a teenager, loved it. His six year old cousin, who loved Toy Story when he was a few years younger loved it, too. My mom adored it, as well. Maybe it just hit me on a much more personal level. As Andy grew up, so did my little boy. He still loves his toys, but I know soon, it will happen to him. He will be too old to want to play with his toys. He will want to keep them stored in the garage and I will have to face the reality my baby is not a baby anymore. Perhaps I am already starting to and that is why I was disappointed. I wanted Andy to hold on to his toys as much as I want my son to hold on to his youth.

Now that my personal thoughts and story are out of the way, let me tell you, Pixar is amazing. I love almost every single film Pixar has released. My favorite Pixar movies are Up and WALL-E, but I will always keep the Toy Story franchise in a special place, in my heart. Pixar manages to capture the human emotion in a way no other company can and for that I am grateful. Even in the few disappointing moments Pixar movies have had, they still show greatness, realism and longevity.

The Toy Story 3 Plot
Andy is all grown up and ready to go to college. His mom tells him he must decide what to do with his old toys. Anything he does not want is being thrown out. His sister’s old toys are being donated to Sunnyside Daycare. Andy decides to take Woody to college with him and places all the others in a bag, intent on storing them in the attic. When his sister needs help with her toy cleaning, he leaves the bag on the ground and his mom mistakes it for trash. Woody sees this and tries to save the toys, while they save themselves from the trash man, putting themselves in the Sunnyside box, because they believe Andy no longer wants them.

Woody attempts to return to Andy’s but is found by Bonnie, a girl who plays with him. However, he learns from Bonnie’s toys that the toys at Sunnyside are held at the mercy of Lots-O’-Huggin’ Bear, a disgruntled toy who has convinced another toy, Big Baby, to help him lead a life of organized crime and control the other toys at the Daycare. Woody must return to free his friends, who are being held captive by Lotso at night and nasty, icky toddlers during the day. Woody also must contend with a reset to factory default Buzz who believes he is a Space Ranger and helps Lotso guard the prisoners, keeping order in the Daycare.

With just himself to rely on Woody must get the toys away from Lotso and convince them that they need to return to Andy, who never wanted to give them up to begin with. However, he must also face the realization that Andy is no longer a little boy and therefore, their glory days of playing with him are over. In the end, Woody must decide what is best for himself, the rest of the toys, and Andy, a best friend he’s watched grow up.

Storyline/Plot: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 3 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 3 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The Toy Story 3 package is a Blu-Ray/DVD combo pack. This is a four disc set so the audio/visual qualities vary slightly. There are two Blu-Ray discs, one with the main feature and one chocked full of bonuses. The third disc is a DVD and the fourth features a Digital Copy.

Toy Story 3, presented in 1080p, High Def picture looks absolutely stunning. The Blu-Ray offers a 2.35:1 aspect ratio, with colors that burst off the screen and the level of detail that makes Blu-Ray truly as impressive as it is. Every minute detail has been emphasized, with individual drawing completely visible, shading that emphasizes the characters and every minute feature about them, and a color palette that looks like it comes from the biggest crayon box known to man. There are absolutely no technical flaws that a visible to the human eye. This is where Blu-Ray thrives. Pixar presents animation perfection with Toy Story 3. I expected nothing less from Pixar, as they are committed towards excellence in every area concerning animation.

When it comes to the Blu-Ray audio, Toy Story 3 offers a fully immersive 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio mix. You will feel like you are at the movie theater, with action movie quality sound presented by Pixar. The sound effects blast through the speakers. The soundtrack swells into your movie viewing room enveloping you in its majestic sound. The audio is clear and crisp, with that nice pop that makes dialogue so great to hear. PLUS there was absolutely no need to volume toggle. Other soundtracks included in this set include ENGLISH: DTS-HD MA 5.1, SPANISH: DD-EX 5.1, and FRENCH: DD-EX 5.1. Nothing compares to the 7.1 DTS-HD Master Audio though. Subtitles are available in English, Spanish and French.

Visual: 5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Toy Story 3 is filled with bonuses. Here is what is available in this four disc combo pack besides the DVD (which we use in the car) and Digital Copy.

Toy Story 3 Disc One – Blu-Ray

‘Day & Night’ Theatrical Short: This feature is six minutes and in HD. It was shown before the movie when it played in theaters. This is a fun little short you will enjoy.

“Buzz Lightyear Mission Logs: The Science of Adventure”: In HD, this feature lasts five minutes. This is a space travel feature that may interest your little space fan. It looks at space travel and how it has progressed and evolved over time.

“Toys!”: This feature is seven minutes long and is in HD. It looks at the task (and challenge) of developing the many new toys in Toy Story 3.

Toy Story 3 Disc Two – Blu-Ray

“The Gang’s All Here”: This 11-minute feature is in HD. In it, we re-meet the voices of Toy Story. This is a bit of a fluff piece, but I do not care. It is fun to see oldies like Tom Hanks and Tim Allen and newbies like Bonnie Hunt and Michael Keaton adding their voices to the legacy of this franchise.

“Studio Stories: Where’s Gordon?”: This two minute long, quickie, HD feature looks into the Pixar building’s new hidden office created by Andrew Gordon. This one is just silly and kids might not like it much.

“Studio Stories: Cereal Bar”: At one minute, this HD feature is hardly worth it. This looks at the room devoted to cereal at the Pixar studio.

“Studio Stories: Clean Start”: This HD feature is three minutes long. It is funnier than the other two but still pointless to this set. It looks at the Pixar shaving heads endeavor and the plot to get luxurious, lock-flowing Lee Unkrich to shave, too.

“Goodbye Andy”: Watch this only after watching the movie. It looks at animating the humans better. This feature also talks about the ending and why Andy was motivated to make the decision he did.

“Accidental Toymakers”: Back in HD, this four minute feature is all about the toys. It explores why actual toymakers did not want to make Toy Story toys.

“A Toy’s Eye View: Creating a Whole New Land”: This HD, five minutes feature shows Disney Parks incorporating Toy Story into the various Disney parks including the creation of Disneyland Paris’ Toy Story land!

“Epilogue”: The HD, four minutes long epilogue is in its glory minus credits.

“Roundin’ up a Western Opening”: For six minutes, Lee Unkrich discusses the old west, opening sequence. It is in HD.

“Bonnie’s Playtime: A Story Roundtable”: The big wigs at Pixar talk about Bonnie’s playtime and how that scene was developed. It’s six minutes worth of info and in HD.

“Beginnings: Setting a Story in Motion”: The eight minute, HD feature has screenwriter, Michael Arndt, gives a how-to lesson in writing animated feature screenplays.

“Life of a Shot”: This seven minutes of HD explores the visual world and the detail that went into designing it. From color to visual effects, no visual stone is left unturned.

Making of ‘Day & Night’: The making of the short ‘Day and Night’. This feature is 2 minutes and in HD.

“Paths to Pixar: Editorial”: A look at the editing process for the movie. This is four minutes and in HD.

Toy Story Trivia Dash: It’s a Toy Story Trivia Game. What can we say? DVD games just aren’t that cool!

HD Bonus Content:

Cine-Explore Picture-in-Picture Commentary: This is a very detailed, thorough, commentary. It is one of the best I have seen/heard and it features Lee Unrkrich, the director and Darla K. Anderson, the producer. Everything you wanted to know about Toy Story 3 is offered by these two. The picture in picture is perfect for the commentary experience.

Beyond the Toybox: An Alternative Commentary Track: A less dazzling, and yes, alternative audio commentary features production designer, Bob Pauley, supervising animator, Bobby Podesta, story supervisor, Jason Katz, supervising animator, Mike Venturini, and supervising technical director, Guido Quaroni. It is not as knowledgeable or as interesting as the Unkrich/Anderson commentary, but if you want to know about the tech behind the movie, it is a MUST to listen to.

Publicity Features

Grab Bag: Promo clips for the movie – 4 minutes in HD

Ken’s Dating Tips: Funny dating tips from Ken – 1 minute in HD

Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear Commercial: commercial for this toy – 30 seconds in HD

Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear Commercial 2 for Japan: The commercial for a Japanese audience – 30 seconds in HD

Making of Lots-o’-Huggin’ Bear Commercials: The making-of for these commercials – 1 minute in HD

Internet Chat: Buzz and Woody internet chat – – 1 minute in HD

Security Cam: Promo for Toy Story 3 Horror Style – 1 minute in HD

Gadgets: A car commercial/promo clip – 1 minute in HD

‘Dancing with the Stars’ at Pixar – A look at DWTS helping create the Pixar dance sequences – – 2 minutes in HD

Character Intros: Intros to new Toy Story 3 characters. – 2 minutes in HD

Multiple Trailers (over 12 minutes worth of Trailers for Toy Story 3)

Poster Gallery – in HD

Bonus Features: 5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
While I was slightly disappointed in the ending to Toy Story 3, I recognize that most kids will love it. This, like most other Pixar films, looks absolutely stunning in Blu-Ray. While this has to be my least favorite of the Toy Story movies, I do realize the adventure had to come to an end and the creators found a new purpose for Buzz, Woody, and the rest of the gang. If you own Toy Story and Toy Story 2, you will want to complete the collection with Toy Story 3 and this Blu-Ray/DVD combo is just the way to do it. We recommend it as a holiday, gift, as well, since it has come out just in time for the holidays.

Overall Rating: 4.21 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Toy Story 3, Blu-Ray DVD Combo, Blu-Ray Review, Disney, Pixar, Buzz Lightyear, Woody, Family movie, animated

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: April 12, 1996
DVD Release Date: August 3, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $$24.99

Roald Dahl was a staple of my childhood. I loved Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Fantastic Mr. Fox, The Witches, The Bfg and Matilda. One book of Dahl’s that I never read was James and the Giant Peach. I am not exactly sure why I avoided this title, but it just wasn’t a Dahl book I was particularly interested in reading. Apparently, other children knew something I didn’t. It is one of Dahl’s most popular books, and it is also one of his most censored.

Since I never read the book, and my son was only a toddler when the film came out, I fully admit I never saw James and the Giant Peach when it hit theaters in 1996. I did not have any reason to see it. I had no attachment to the story. It was not a childhood favorite. The entire story seemed rather silly to me. I mean, I knew the gist of the story. It was about a boy who went on an adventure inside a giant peach. I guess that is why kids like it so much. Make believe is so much more entertaining to their whimsical minds. I guess I didn’t understand the appeal of James and his peach, until I saw my nephew watching the movie.

When you are six, everything is magical! James and the Giant Peach captivated the mind of Lil B. He didn’t move a muscle as he sat there, watching the orphaned James, travel by peach to New York City. He delighted in the relationship between James and the anthropomorphic bugs within it. He related to James on some level that I, as an adult could no longer relate. His imagination was swimming with ideas and possibilities that watching James and the Giant Peach can provide a child. It was then that I saw the true power of the story of James and the Giant Peach.

Roald Dahl stories are so successful at entertaining children. Part of this is because his protagonists are relatable. Kids understand the yearning of a Charlie Bucket. They feel James’ sadness and isolation, as he tries to find a place to belong and friends of his own. Every kid wants to fit in. Dahl’s gift is in his ability to make these characters appeal to kids while sparking their imagination and sense of adventure. That is what Dahl has been able to share with generations of children.

The James and the Giant Peach Plot
James Henry Trotter is an orphan. When his parents are killed, they have been eaten by an escaped rhinoceros, the boy is forced to live with his two, very mean aunts, Spiker and Sponge. James is abused by his aunts and lives a very hard, sad existence. He dreams of a better life and place. If only he could get to New York City from England. His parents spoke of the magnificence of the city and he sees it as the perfect place to go to make his life better.

When James is approached by a mysterious stranger, he is given crocodile tongues. These are said to improve James’ life if he uses them, though how to use them is not made clear. On his way home, James loses the crocodile tongues inside the root of a peach tree. The tree is home to a plethora of bugs who can talk, which James soon discovers, as the tongues change the peach tree in amazing ways.

When James returns to the tree he discovers a peach growing on it. The peach has grown to colossal proportions. When James enters the peach, he meets a group of bugs whom he befriends. The group set off on an adventure, in the peach, that will take them across the Atlantic, on a quest to find New York City and a better life for James.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
James and the Giant Peach is presented in an AVC encoded, 1080p, anamorphic widescreen, high-def transfer at a 1.66 aspect ratio. The picture for this does not look brand new. The film is over 10 years old, so the quality is to be expected for the time period in which it was filmed. However, Disney did try to clean it up some, and the picture manages to look pretty good, despite its age. The biggest issue is a reoccurring instance of grain. The colors for James and the Giant Peach are fairly vibrant and black levels are solid with a decent level of depth. While the quality for James and the Giant Peach isn’t perfect, it is vastly improved from the quality of the standard DVD, so Disney did a nice job upgrading for Blu-Ray here.

The sound for James and the Giant Peach is a DTS-HD 5.1 Master Audio track in English. This is a great track, with dynamic sounds through all of the audio channels. It is easy to hear the dialogue. It is crisp and clear with no need to volume toggle, since it is spoken on a consistent level. James and the Giant Peach offers a beautiful score that bursts from the speakers with melodic perfection and fits the story well. The sound effects have the right amount of balance, and make good use of both the front and back speakers.

There are Dolby Digital 5.1 surround tracks in French and Spanish. Subtitles are included in English SDH, French and Spanish.

Visual: 3.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
Where James and the Giant Peach is lacking the most is in the bonuses. Most are ported over, with just one, new feature. The new feature is disappointing, as it is a DVD game. DVD games are notoriously bad, and this one is no different. The kids might like it for a short period, but a feature like this has no longevity. The game is called “Spike the Aunts” and ants are hit with a rhino horn, which gathers points. It is rather morbid, if you think about it, actually.

The previous release of James and the Giant Peach on DVD had features ported over that include a five minute production featurette, a trailer for James and the Giant Peach, a music video by Randy Newman for ‘Good News’, and some still galleries for the movie. This standard definition DVD is also included in this set. We use this when we go in the car, since we have a DVD player, and leave the Blu-Ray at home. This is no different than the previous DVD release of James and the Giant Peach, so if you already own it, you’re going to have a second copy.

Bonus Features: 1 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
This was my first experience seeing James and the Giant Peach. I found it surprisingly good. Seeing how the kids reacted to the movie made it all the more enjoyable. If you have kids, especially in the 5-9 age range, James and the Giant Peach is going to entertain them. That’s not to say older kids and adults won’t enjoy this as much, but younger kids can appreciate the imaginative nature of the film much better. While James and the Giant Peach looks pretty good and sounds amazing, it would be nice if their were more bonuses. Otherwise, this is a decent release.

Overall Rating: 3.57 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Blu-Ray Review, James and the Giant Peach, Special Edition, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Blu-ray, Movie, Roald Dahl, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment

Release Info:
DVD Release Date: June 22, 2010
Online Availability: Amazon for $24.49

I like cartoons, but I’m not in love with most of the Warner Bros. cartoons. That probably sounds wrong, so let me clarify this statement a little bit. I enjoy watching WB, old school cartoons like Looney Tunes and Tom and Jerry, but I don’t go ga-ga for them like some people I know. Watching these cartoons is a fun way to shoot the breeze, but I’m not going to freak out if I do not see another Tom and Jerry cartoon again. I will live and the world will go on turning.

In contrast, my kid is nutso for these old cartoons, especially Tom and Jerry. This dynamic, cat and mouse duo are his favorites next to the Chronological Donald cartoons. He is so in love with these cartoons that the minute we get the DVDs he wants to watch them. He will drop everything, especially his homework, to see the same hijinks Tom and Jerry have been pulling far before he or I were born. Thus, we own pretty much every Tom and Jerry DVD set Warner Bros. has put out. We have the Spotlight Collections, the Volume DVDs, the movies, the new incarnations of the cartoon…you name it.

You have to understand my son is a teen, but he also has Aspergers. He has a major problem with re-watching shows, cartoons or movies he has already seen, with a few exceptions. There are certain movies he will watch over and over to the point where his mother and I could go our entire lives without seeing these films again and be happy. He did this with Chicago (and he sang along – knowing every word of the movie and the songs). He did this with I Am Sam. As much as I’ve heard, “Why are we watching this? I’ve already seen it,” I must confess, he has never said this about Tom and Jerry. Like the aformentioned films, he could watch these cartoons over and over with nary a complaint.

What he does not realize, because he is oblivious to censorship, is that some of the shorts in this set have been altered for content. Kids need to understand, as much as adults, about the tawdry history of blackface and how prejudice was ever present in everything, back in the day, including cartoons. What better way to teach them then through cartoons? I watch television with the kids and if something like this comes on we discuss it with them. I do not think it is fair to try and erase this part of history. We can’t pretend everything was hunky-dory and let them think that racism did not exist in the land of imagination and animation. They will eventually grow up and learn the truth; the cartoons of their childhood were a lie.

WB saw the err of their ways in past releases when they reissued DVDs with the shorts in their original format. SO…it boggles the mind why they would turn around and release this set with the edited versions of “The Milky Waif” and “The Little Orphan” and the redubbed version of “The Lonesome Mouse.” It makes no sense. I know many adult fans will be disappointed that these shorts are not in their original form. Besides, my son is a teen. This set isn’t geared towards the little ones. If it was, then maybe the censorship was justified, but it’s not.

Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection Episode Synopsis’
The Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection set is spread across two discs. The first disc features 20 shorts, and the second features a hodge podge of Tom and Jerry memories throughout the years.

Here is a list of what is offered on each disc.

DISC ONE
Oscar Winners and Classics

“Puss Gets the Boot” – The very first short to feature Tom and Jerry. At this time, they were known as Jinx and Jasper. Jasper tries to eat Jinx, but only succeeds in making Mammy Two Shoes mad enough to evict him.

“The Midnight Snack” – Tom interrupts Jerry as he sneaks around the kitchen getting some cheese, his midnight snack. Luckily, Jerry has some tricks up his sleeve.

“Dog Trouble” – Tom antagonizes Jerry, causing him to run in his hole. Jerry escapes after thwarting Tom, but things get interesting when Spike, the bulldog, enters the picture.

“Fraidy Cat” – After listening to the “Witching Hour” on the radio, Tom is very scared by the story being told. Jerry uses this to his advantage to antagonize Tom.

“Puss ‘N Toots” – When Mammy Two Shoes gets a girl cat to watch after, Tom falls in love. He tries to impress her by doing magic tricks with Jerry as his pawn, but, as always, Jerry gets the best of him.

“The Lonesome Mouse” – Jerry gets rid of Tom by causing trouble that Mammy Two Shoes blames on the cat. After a few hours of peace, he realizes things aren’t fun with Tom not around, so he sets out on a quest to frighten Mammy into letting Tom back in.

“Yankee Doodle Mouse” – Jerry heads into his “Cat Raid Shelter” aka mouse hole, where he has plenty of ammunition to take on a pursuing Tom. The two go to “war” and Jerry is set to take on the cat.

“Mouse Trouble” – Frustrated in his failed quest to catch Jerry, Tom finds a book on how to catch mice. He follows the techniques in the book to attempt to catch Jerry and hilarity ensues.

“Mouse in Manhattan” – Jerry leaves the country to head off to live in New York City. However, city life is quite different than life in the country. He begins to realize he might not have it so bad, after all.

“Quiet Please!” – Spike wants to take a nap, but Tom chasing Jerry keeps him wide awake. While Tom is content to try to let him sleep while still pursuing Jerry, Jerry likes seeing Tom chased by Spike.

“The Milky Waif” – When baby Nibbles is left on Jerry’s door, he has no choice but to take care of the little mouse. However, Nibbles is always hungry, so Jerry must find a way to get him lots of milk and protect him from Tom.

“The Cat Concerto” – Tom is playing a piano concerto and he awakens Jerry, who is asleep inside the piano. Jerry sets out to have Tom make a fool of himself, as a result.

“The Little Orphan” – The always hungry Nibbles returns to celebrate Thanksgiving with Jerry. Again, Jerry must find him food, and avoid Tom while doing so. Of course, both are put out by Nibbles’ voracious appetite.

“Saturday Evening Puss” – When Mammy Two Shoes heads out to her Lucky Seven Saturday Night Bridge Club meeting, Tom invites Butch, Lightning and Topsy over for a party/jazz jam session. Unfortunately, Jerry is trying to sleep and he’s not very happy about this loud party.

“The Two Mouseketeers” – Jerry and Nibbles are the two mousketeers. They decide to swipe food from an extravagantly set table, for the King’s Mouseketeers banquet. When Tom has been ordered to guard the banquet food, the two must find a way to eat and run.

“Johann Mouse” – Jerry takes on the part of Johann Mouse, the mouse living in the house of Johann Strauss. Johann Mouse loves music so much and when he dances, he is chased by Johann Strauss’ cat, played by Tom.

“Touché, Pussy Cat” – Nibbles has been renamed Tuffy and all he wants to do is become a Mousketeer. It will take quite a bit for him to convince Jerry he deserves to be a mousketeer, especially since he is an excessive talker.

“That’s My Mommy” – When Quacker, a baby duck, wanders away from his mother’s nest, in his egg, and ends up beneath Tom before hatching, he believes Tom is his Mommy because he is the first thing Quacker sees.

“The Egg and Jerry” – Jerry becomes the Mommy this time, when a baby Woodpecker egg rolls into his mousehole after falling out of its nest. When the baby woodpecker hatches, it latches onto Jerry.

“Tops With Pops” – Spike is sleeping with his little son Tyke. When Tom keeps waking the little guy up as he chases Jerry, Spike takes out his anger on the cat.

DVD TWO
Through the Years

“Anchor’s Aweigh Excerpt” -Watch Jerry Dance with Gene Kelly

“Dangerous When Wet Excerpt” – Esther Williams takes a dip with Tom and Jerry

“Pent-house Mouse” – The first short by Chuck Jones, Tom is living it up in a penthouse. Jerry is starving. He is trying to find food at a construction site. When he is lifted up on a steel beam and is transported to Tom’s patio the chase ensues!

“The Cat Above and the Mouse Below” – Another Chuck Jones short where Jerry performs on stage as Signor Thomasino Catti-Cazzaza Baritone. He is singing “Figaro” and it awakens Jerry who is asleep beneath the stage of the opera house. Unable to doze with all the racket, he seeks revenge.

“The Cat’s Me-Ouch” – This is another cartoon by Chuck Jones. Jerry gets a big surprise when he orders a bulldog and it turns out to be smaller than him. The idea was to have the bulldog attack Tom for Jerry, but with him smaller than Jerry it seems impossible.

“Karate Guard” – This is the last Tom and Jerry short written and directed by Joseph Barbera. The short has Tom trying to sleep as Jerry practices karate loudly. Jerry must face his fear and take on Tom as a karate master, which Tom finds hilarious.

“Cosmic Cat and Meteor Mouse” – From the New Tom and Jerry Show, Tom and Jerry are trying to watch their favorite TV show, Cosmic Cat and Meteor Mouse. The noise from the television disturbs a sleeping Spike who is intent on turning off the set, while Tom and Jerry fight to watch their show.

“Jerry’s Country Cousin” – From The Tom and Jerry Comedy Show, Jerry has an identical cousin who comes from the country to stay with him. His cousin is a lot stronger, but Tom isn’t expecting to be outmaneuvered by Jerry’s country cousin.

“Flippin’ Fido” – From The Tom and Jerry Kids Show, Little Tom is chasing Little Jerry, who is, of course, antagonizing Tom. The chase is interrupted by Fido, who wants Tom, so Tom must find a way to distract Fido, with Frisbees!

“A Game of Mouse and Cat” – From Tom and Jerry Tales, this short features an alternative universe where the mice chase the cats. Jerry is ordered to get rid of Tom, when he has the chance to live out his fantasy.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The quality changes from short to short. Obviously, cartoons from 2005 are going to look better than those from the 40s and 50s. This quality ranges from pretty good to wow this is old and looks like it. While most of the shorts are presented in standard format with a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, a few are widescreen at 1.85:1. This does not make them great though. Really, T&J need a good clean up job done to truly do these shorts justice and it’s just not here yet.

The audio is, as expected, a Dolby Digital mono track in English. A Spanish mono track is also included. These shorts sound good, but nothing like the 5.1 mixes we hear today. The audio isn’t horrible, but it isn’t spectacular either. There are no major audio flaws, but it isn’t as dynamic as it could be. Subtitles in English and French are also present.

Visual: 3 out of 5 stars
Audio: 3 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
The big bonus is a short documentary. It is not quite 20 minutes in length. Called “Much Ado About Tom and Jerry,” this feature goes over how Tom and Jerry got started, the history of the cartoon and how it has changed throughout the years. It contains interviews with Hanna and Barbera and is featured on Disc 1.

This is the only bonus save for some trailers for other cartoons.

Bonus Features: 2 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection is a great collection IF you do not already own any of the Tom and Jerry sets that Warner Bros has released, in the past. Some of these episodes are already included so it’s the same ol, same ol. That is not to say the shorts are bad, but who really wants more than one DVD with the same eps on them? Further, who wants episodes with these shorts that have been censored? If you own some of the T&J DVDs, you will want to compare them to the list of shorts in this set before buying this. If your kid goes bonkers for Tom and Jerry like mine does, Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection is a nice collection to own. I just recommend proceeding with caution before buying, because most of these episodes we’ve seen before in other Tom and Jerry DVD releases.

Overall Rating: 3.57 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: DVD Review, Tom and Jerry Deluxe Anniversary Collection, Cartoon, Warner Brothers, DVD, Tom and Jerry, cat and mouse, Kids, Family

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: September 12, 1983-October 1, 1985
DVD Box Set Release Date: July 14, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

The 80s was the best time to grow up. That’s because the 80s had the best cartoons. I would have loved to watch G.I. Joe. I was the perfect age for this kind of show, yet I never watched it. That was because one of my parents decided G.I. Joe was bad. They believed that the show glorified and promoted war, without even having seem an episode. While I could watch shows like Transformers (weren’t they always at war? Decepticons vs. Autobots?) and He-Man (who was always fighting the forces of evil, too), since G.I. Joe featured ‘real men’ in cartoon form, who just happened to be a part of a special sector of the military, my brother and I were banned from watching this show.

That doesn’t mean we never saw it. We had neighbors and friends who were allowed to watch the show. Actually, we didn’t know any other kids in our neighborhood who were banned from watching G.I. Joe. Some of the other kids would even laugh when we told them why we couldn’t watch the show. We’d sometimes watch it at their houses anyway. I saw brief glimpses of the show and because I was banned from it, it made me want to watch the series even more.

Regardless, I’m now grown. I can watch G.I. Joe if I want to. I can let my kids watch G.I. Joe if they want to watch it, as well. Seriously, with as much about Iraq as this generation has seen on TV, the Joes are actually pretty good role models. When something bad happens in the world, sometimes the good guys have to fix the problem. I’d rather have my kids (yes, even the ones between 2-6, which is how old I was when the first G.I. Joe miniseries premiered until the end of the television show) watching a show about the All-American Hero then have them watching the news. It’s a cartoon and it’s not even really about war, per se. It’s more about military men stopping evil forces taking over the world. Now how many television series came out of the 80s with that message? Yep, more than I can count, too.

I was actually really excited to watch the 22 episodes compiled in the G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1 box set. Call me a guy just trying to re-live his childhood in a much cooler way, because really, that’s what I am! I even had Ash watch the episodes with me. She’d never seen G.I. Joe because she was too busy watching The Smurfs, Strawberry Shortcake and other shows that were big in the 80s. G.I Joe really wasn’t her forte back then.

You know what I’ve discovered? G.I. Joe is really interesting. It’s entertaining. The show doesn’t talk down to kids like so many other cartoons do, but it has elements of 80s humor and pop culture that would appeal and speak to kids. I credit this to Ron Friedman. It was his goal to write G.I. Joe with the vision that it spoke to children in a way they’d understand. As a child of the 80s, I get the message loud and clear.

What’s interesting about this set is that this isn’t just the first 12 episodes from the G.I. Joe series. There are five episodes from the G.I. Joe A Real American Hero miniseries (it only had five episodes), which aired in 1983 and the follow up, five episode miniseries, The Revenge of Cobra, which aired in 1984. The television show subsequently aired throughout 1985 and 1986. In all honesty, this Season 1.1 box set contains a whole lot more fans of the Joes can enjoy. This set is also a great way to introduce new audiences (the new generation) to the real American hero!

The G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1 Episode Guide
The G.I. Joe A Real American Hero: Season 1.1 box set is comprised of four discs. Disc One is made up of the five part miniseries, “A Real American Hero: The M.A.S.S. Device.” Disc Two contains a five part miniseries called, The Revenge of Cobra. Disc Three is the five part episode opener for the G.I. Joe television series, which debuted in 1985. Finally, Disc Four offers seven episodes from season one of the 1985 series.

Note: In Disc Two, the phrase ‘Yo Joe’ gets a bit repetitive (to the point of overkill), but this is about the only complaint I have. Disc One I don’t remember it being used at all!

While the show has the occasional cheesy line/moment (Duke likes to call people meathead, for example – Remember the 80s, when calling people Pizza breath (and other food related names) was cool?), those lines are actually rather endearing! There aren’t enough of them to make the show a total cheesefest and I get that 80s nostalgia feeling when I watch this because the dialogue is so 80s!

With those little tidbits discussed, let’s get into the meat and potatoes of the DVD, the episodes! Here is a list and synopsis of each of the 22 episodes as they are spread out across four discs.

DISC ONE

“The Cobra Strikes”
Original Air Date: September 12, 1983
The show starts with a brief introduction to the G.I. Joes, a group of men (and women) who fight for America’s freedom. It isn’t long before Cobra is attacking the G.I. Joe base, and Duke is certain Cobra is up to something. In the meantime, the military must answer to the Pentagon, who want to know how capable the Joes are. Cobra Commander and Destro work together in a plan to take over the world. Destro develops a weapon for Cobra, the M.A.S.S. device. This weapon is capable of transporting whatever Cobra needs to win against the Joes (troops, weapons, etc.) to anywhere in the world. When Cobra steals one of the U.S. military satellites, it’s up to the Joes to get it back, but when Duke is captured with the intent to make him one of Cobra’s mindless slaves, the stakes in this mission rise.

“Slave of the Cobra Master”
Original Air Date: September 13, 1983
Duke is forced with the headband device to fight in the Cobra arena at Cobra Mountain. Being under Destro’s control leaves Duke vulnerable to the attack of the arena gladiator. When Destro turns the headband off, Duke is able to defend himself, but he cannot go far. Dr. Vandermere, who was working on the original M.A.S.S. device, helps the Joes to construct a new one. Unfortunately, they must go to the ends of the Earth to find the three elements that power the M.A.S.S. device. In the meantime, Duke gets assistance from another slave named Selena, who shows him how to deactivate the power the headband has over him (and in turn escape), though it will cause him excessive amounts of pain.

“The Worms of Death”
Original Air Date: September 14, 1983
Snake Eyes has managed to escape with the crystal element, despite being trapped in a radioactive trap set by Cobra. Poisoned by the radiation, he can barely move let alone survive in the harsh Arctic conditions. Luckily, he’s found by a strange man who seeks to help him, and manages to get him out of the cold. Duke keeps trying to remember where Cobra’s headquarters is, but all he can remember is the face of the girl who helped him. The Joes head into the depths of the ocean, to retrieve the heavy-water element. Within the depths of the ocean they find the element and Cobra, but when these massive, underwater worms attack them, the only way to escape is for the Joes and Cobra to team up.

“Duel in the Devil’s Cauldron”
Original Air Date: September 15, 1983
Stalker tells the Joes that he’s been ordered to assemble the team and have the Joes surrender to Cobra (who has threatened to destroy New York City if they don’t). Cobra Commander and Destro are listening in and Cobra Commander is certain that they’ve won, but Destro won’t be satisfied until they have more of the third element. Breaker had discovered Cobra was listening in, so the Joes actually planned the ‘fake surrender’ in order to get the third element without Cobra’s interruption. Cobra has used up all of the third element, so Destro and his crew must fight the Joes in a head to head, all out battle. Of course, when Scarlett is kidnapped the Joes must do whatever it takes to get her back.

“A Stake in the Serpent’s Heart”
Original Air Date: September 16, 1983
After Scarlett helps to save Destro and herself, she is taken by Cobra and it isn’t long before she’s wearing a headband, making her a slave in the process. Scarlett recognizes Duke’s ring on Selena. The two team up to lead a slave revolt. The doctor gets the M.A.S.S. Device in working order, so the Joes set out in a final showdown between them and the Cobra team. Destro has a second plan, having made the leaders of the world his slaves, who he plans to execute in the event his plans are foiled. When the action is brought to Cobra Mountain, it’s an all out battle of good vs. evil!

DISC TWO

“In the Cobra’s Pit”
Original Air Date: September 10, 1984
When the G.I. Joes are transporting the laser core, Cobra attacks their convoy. The Cobra team captures the laser core along with Duke and Snake Eyes. The Joes capture Cobra Commander, taking him to Blackwater Prison. Before Col. Sharpp can meet them at the prison, he is kidnapped by Zartan and the Dreadnoks. Zartan is able to transform himself into the Colonel. At the prison, Zartan and Baroness break Cobra Commander out. When the Joes who captured him realize they are escaping, they chase them into the swamps where they disappear. In the Meantime, Flint and Scarlett lead their sky squadrons on a mission to go after the laser and try to save Duke and Snake Eyes. The only problem is that Destro has developed a Weather Dominator, which becomes unstoppable (controlling the forces of nature) when hooked up to the laser core. Of course, Cobra Commander lets the world know he’s ready to take over the world, again.

“The Vines of Evil”
Original Air Date: September 11, 1984
When the Weather Dominator make Flint, Roadblock, Mutt and Junkyard crash in “In the Cobra’s Pit,” they are sent into the Pit of Chaos. There, they are attacked by killer creeper vines. At the start of this episode, they use the Sky Striker’s jets to fend off the vines, all while trying to work out a plan of escape. Duke and Snake Eyes fight in Cobra Arena. They also manage to get a message to the Joes HQ warning of an impending weather attack on Washington D.C. As the city is evacuated, Doc’s energy mirrors deflect the power of the Weather Dominator, causing it to backfire and break the weapon into fragments. Back in the Pit, Roadblock is captured by the vines. The rest manage to escape, crash in a Cobra controlled area, and steal uniforms. However, when a sandstorm interrupts their escape, Mutt is thrown overboard, leaving two men down.

“The Palace of Doom”
Original Air Date: September 12, 1984
The Joes must hide under the skiff until the sandstorm ends and then they return to HQ. Roadblock, having escaped the vines, steals a ride on a truck. In it, he finds a tied up woman named Honda Lou West. The Joes and Cobra set out for the Island of No Return, where they are trying to get the ion corrilator. At the island, the two groups are sucked into a whirlpool, but the Joes manage to escape. Spirit heads to the island, duking it out for the fragment with Storm Shadow. Major Bludd and the Cobra team head through the jungle to get the hydromaster, in the Palace of Doom. When the Joes parachute into the palace, a ginormous robot snake sets out to stop them, but the surprise is that the palace is booby trapped!

Note: The best line ever from this series is in this episode.

Doc: “Don’t worry; I’m wearing my asbestos underwear!”

“Battle on the Roof of the World”
Original Air Date: September 13, 1984
The Weather Dominator leads to unstable weather patterns near the palace. The weather causes an Earthquake, and some of the Joes are caught in the thick of it. When the Joes lose the fragment, Major Bludd is sure to take it for himself. Storm Shadow gets trapped with Spirit in a cavern with limited air supply, on the island. When Spirit saves Storm Shadow, he lets Spirit have the fragment. The truck with Roadblock in it ends up at the Cobra temple. The Joes must find the laser core,which is on the Roof of the World. Cobra, Zartan (and his gang) and the Joes fight for it. The laser core is involved in a hockey style game between Cobra and the Joes, but when the Drednoks interrupt to steal it, the Joes’ biggest challenge turns out to be an avalanche.

“Amusement Park of Terror”
Original Air Date: September 14, 1984
Roadblock and Honda Lou try to remain inconspicuous as they break into Cobra Commander’s control room. When they are captured they are taken to where Duke and Snake Eyes are battling against electric snakes (in the Arena). With the power of four on their side, they find a way to escape. Zartan has the laser core at his hideout, an amusement park in the thick of the bayou. When he contacts both Cobra and the Joes, to negotiate, they both intercept the signal and track down his location. Storm Shadow steals the ion corrilator while at the Joe HQ. While the Cobra’s are being attacked, Ripcord and Breaker parachute into the park, destroying the power generator. As the Joes arrive, Destro captures Zartan, who gives him the laser core. With Duke sending out a tracking signal to bring the Joes to the Cobra Temple, an all out assault between good and evil breaks out with the fate of the world and it’s weather at stake.

DISC THREE

“The Pyramid of Darkness Part 1″
Original Air Date: September 16, 1985
The Joes are accompanying a space shuttle to a launch pad. The shuttle is heading to Space Station Delta. Cobra attacks, but the Joes are prepared. Cobra retreats, but not before slipping some cargo onto the shuttle. The Crimson Twins and Cobra Commander escape underwater, with the help of water robots. The Joes head underwater led by Shipwreck and Snake Eyes. Roadblock manages to distract the robots, when Snake Eyes and Shipwreck are hit, so they can head into the underwater Cobra Headquarters, disguise themselves as Cobra forces, and get themselves in trouble. In the air, Lady Jaye and Flint chase Destro in his Rattler. When he disappears into thin air, they have no choice but to return to Joe HQ. The extra weight is weighing the shuttle down. The addition includes something called Fatal Fluffies, who are controlled by Zartan (disguised as a Joe) and the Dreadnoks. Worried about the space shuttle and Delta, the Joe HQ is relieved when they hear from the station, but this has disastrous results. It’s just another part of Cobra’s plan to create a Pyramid of Darkness.

“The Pyramid of Darkness Part 2″
Original Air Date: September 17, 1985
Shipwreck’s canary, Polly, is able to input the password, letting them into the control cube factory. Shipwreck puts a tracker on a control cube. He and Snake Eyes steal a laser disc with the plans for the cubes, as well, though they must soon plan their escape. The Joes make their temporary HQ on a aircraft carrier, run by an old school officer not fond of women in the force. The tracker leads them to The Devil’s Playground, a volcano where Destro is taking the cube. In space on Delta, the Joes are forced to work for the Fluffies and Dreadnoks. Dusty creates a diversion, playing with the gravity controls and attempting to get to the communications room where Zartan has been making big plans. Dusty is captured again, but not before seeing Cobra’s plans. At the volcano, the Joes attack. Flint and Lady Jaye are shot down. As Destro attempts to align the cube, these two are forced into the lava.

“The Pyramid of Darkness Part 3″
Original Air Date: September 18, 1985
Lady Jaye manages to save herself and Flint from the lava with a bubble javelin. Their freedom is short lived, when they attempt to take the cube, but are captured by its tentacles. Shipwreck and Snake Eyes are in the ghetto, where they are being pursued. To evade capture, they duck into a nightclub and meet the singer, Satin. She hides them and they are able to escape. Oh, but not before Snake Eyes breakdances! The Crimson Twins head to the City of the Dead, where they align the second cube. Roadblock, Airtight, and Footloose head in after them, but are stopped by awakening the Ancient Guardians, giant statues that guard the temple. The twins think this will give them time to align the cube, but they can’t anticipate what the temple holds in store for them. On the mountain of Glass, Major Bludd is aligning the third cube when the Joes (Bazooka and Apline) show up. They are lost in an avalanche attempting to stop Cobra. Finally, on Delta, Zartan attempts to activate the cubes, as the Joes try to stop him.

To continue reading this review, go to Page Two…

Release Info:
Original Air Dates: January 5, 2009-March 23, 2009
DVD Release Date: June 16, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $25.99

This may be the second season of The Secret Life of the American Teenager, but it still blows my mind to see Molly Ringwald, the pretentious rich-girl from The Breakfast Club play a mother of a teenager. Sure, she’s old enough to play the part, but it’s somewhat surreal. I always think of her as the perpetual, pretty redhead next door from the 80s. Now she’s a mom and that’s cool. It’s just a little bit different. It’d be like seeing Anthony Michael Hall remake My Three Sons. It might work out, but in the beginning it would take some getting used to.

ABC Family is one of those networks that run a lot of pretty decent shows that I always forget to watch. For some reason my brain fails to make a connection with the fact that this network exists when primetime shows are on. So, I get these sets and always tell myself to watch and always end up forgetting. I figure its okay though because soon enough the new season will roll out on DVD and I will be able to pick that up for review. This is a major plus when you consider I do not have to go through the agonizing wait for the next week’s episode.

During the second season you see a lot of the same themes as you did in the first season. There is a continuation here that is necessary to finish a lot of the stories that began in the first season. You get to see what life is like for teenagers, in some respects, including one that deals with a pregnancy, a boyfriend that is not the father of said baby, a secret wedding, and family life in general. While occasionally Secret Life can border on melodrama, the show is pretty good.

The The Secret Life of the American Teenager: Season Two Plot
From what I can gather, this second season set is actually the second half of the first season. It has been marketed as a second season, but as far as I know, season two is currently airing on ABC Family. In any case, a list of all of the episodes in this set are listed below so you know what is available.

“The Secret Wedding of the American Teenager”: Amy and Ben decide to get married using fake IDs after Amy learns that the new baby is going to be her responsibility and if she wants to keep it she will need to get a job. After Ricky finds out, he gets a fake ID, as well. This starts a trend and numerous others get one, too, including Adrian, Alice, Ashley, Henry, Grace, Madison, and so on. Meanwhile, George moves into the Juergen family garage.

“Baked Nevada”: George and Leo find Amy and Ben at the wedding reception and trouble breaks loose as a result. This doesn’t matter much when Amy and Ben learn that their marriage is not valid anyway. Jack confesses (falsely) to making the fake IDs and gets community service. Anne tries to give Amy and Ben advice about what to do with the baby.

“The Father and the Son”: Ashley tries to get Reverend Stone to help her keep her parents together. Ricky’s dad is out on parole and he’s in town looking for his little boy. He visits Amy and proceeds to tell Ricky that he might sell the baby. When Anne learns that Ricky was sexually abused by his dad she thinks that the kids should seriously consider giving the baby up for adoption. Both Ben and Ricky want to keep the baby, even though they both have their own, specific reasons. Meanwhile, Anne tries to find a nice adoptive home for the child.

“That’s Enough of That”: Ricky admits the truth about being abused to Adrian and refuses to see Grace as long as his father, who keeps trying to convince him to sell the baby, remains in town. Ben suffers a blow when he learns that Amy wants to go to the doctor’s alone. Ben later makes a video of Amy and reveals that she is going to have a boy. Anne finally comes to terms with the fact that Amy really is pregnant.

“Chocolate Cake”: Ben cannot believe it when he finds out that a meeting between Ricky and Amy was planned and he was not invited. Anne talks to the Reverend about Ashley and her attempts to stop her parents from breaking up. Adrian’s father catches her and her step-brother Max in a compromising position. Meanwhile, when Jack learns that Shawna has no interest in him he tells Grace that Ricky and Adrian are still sleeping together. George learns that two of his gay co-workers want to adopt Amy’s baby.

“Unforgiven”: Amy becomes upset when Ben says he needs some space and seems to doubt their relationship. Jack and Shawna begin dating, even though she supposedly isn’t interested in him. George holds adoption interviews to find parents for the baby. Amy agrees that the gay couple should adopt the baby. Ricky informs Jack that he wants to be with Amy, not Grace or Adrian.

“Making Up is Hard to Do”: Ricky tells Dr. Fields that he wants to be with Amy and that he doesn’t want to go through with the adoption. Ashley attempts to convince Ben that he should be with Amy. Max and Adrian go on their first date. Amy and Ricky meet Donovan and Leon, who decide that it is in their best interest to be foster parents instead of adopting.

“Money for Nothing, Chicks for Free”: Anne receives a job offer. Adrian decides that she will become a virgin again by changing her style. Amy and Ben get back together and the gay couple announces that they do not wish to adopt the baby. This prompts Amy to admit that she does not want to give the baby up for adoption. Anne and Ben both pressure Amy to get a job based on her decision.

“Maybe Baby”: Both Ben and Ricky get a job, working together with Ben’s dad at his sausage shop. George is able to get a loan on a foreclosed home. Ashley becomes upset when she learns that Amy wanted to get rid of the baby and becomes angry when she learns about the tape that Ben and Amy made for the baby. Grace and Adrian want to make sure that Amy gives the baby up because that keeps her tied to Ricky if she keeps it. Later, Grace tells Amy that she got her a job at the Church and she would have both daycare services and insurance available to her. With that in mind, Anne lets Amy keep the baby.

“Whoomp! (There it is)”: As the baby approaches, a baby shower is planned for Amy. Ricky prepares for the baby by learning how to change a diaper. On the way to the baby shower, Amy goes into labor. George, who is in the process of moving out, is called to meet everyone at the hospital. Meanwhile, Ben tells Amy that she should call Ricky and let him know that she is in labor.

“One Night at Band Camp”: Amy recalls when she met Ricky at Band Camp before she got pregnant. Tom makes an attempt to get Grace and Jack back together. Amy feels bad for blaming Ricky for her pregnancy because she realizes the sex wasn’t solely his fault. Ricky admits he wants to be a good friend to Amy and to help with the baby.

“And Unto Us, A Child is Born”: Everyone gathers at the hospital to support Amy and her family. Ben and Ricky agree to be friends and talk about the future. Adrian comes to the hospital to support Ricky. Amy finally has the baby and everyone gets to see him. They decide to name the baby John. Despite her decision, Amy has a hard time adjusting to being a mom, but after Ricky sees and spends time with the baby, he likes the idea of being a dad.

Storyline/Plot: 4 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 4 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a newer show that is currently still airing on ABC Family. Shot in HD, the picture you receive here is about equal to the quality you see when it is on television. That means you will view this in anamorphic widescreen with a 1.78:1 aspect ratio. You can expect few errors, no dirt, and nothing annoying. The detail is high and the colors are good. It’s one of the better visual productions you will see on ABC Family, and like I said it appears just like if you were watching it on its assigned day of television.

As for the sound, the Dolby Digital 5.1 does an adequate job though this is a dialogue driven production. Being that it’s more dialogue than anything you can expect it to be fairly even and not entirely dramatic. Still, the dialogue is crisp and everything remains consistently easy to hear. In addition to standard audio options subtitles are available in both French and Spanish.

Visual: 4.5 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are a couple special features available for The Secret Life of the American Teenager. There isn’t anything truly special here, but fans should enjoy the secrets and the close-ups that are offered. In addition to those things, a music video for “Secret Life (You and Me)” is offered by The Strange Familiar. As you might expect, the video includes clips from the show.

“Character Secrets: The Cast Reveals All” – This ten minute look at the show has the cast dishing on the romances of the show and the drama that comes with them. While this is being discussed the family dynamic is also looked at.

“Cast Close-Ups” – This includes a series of personal videos from the various characters on the show. Michaela, a show fan, interviews the cast in each of their videos. Every video runs about three minutes and naturally some are better than others.

Bonus Features: 3 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Secret Life of the American Teenager is a decent show, but it’s not ever going to step out of the realm of the family drama. If you love that type of show, revolving around teenagers and their problems then you should really like this show. The acting is sometimes overly dramatic, but it’s good for the most part, and the show offers topics that older kids need to hear about. If you haven’t caught this on ABC Family yet, I recommend checking out the first season first and then renting or buying both seasons as you see fit.

Overall Rating: 4.07 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Molly Ringwald, Family Drama, ABC Family, Teenager, The Secret Life of the American Teenager, Season Two, TV on DVD Review, Episodes

TV Show Info:
Writers: Various
Directors: Various
Cast: Peter Cullen, Frank Welker, Chris Latta, Corey Burton, John Stephenson, Dan Gilvezan, Casey Kasem, Michael Bell, Don Messick, Scatman Crothers
Rating: Not Rated
Studio: Shout! Factory

Release Info
Original Air Dates: September 17, 1984-December 29, 1984
DVD Box Set Release Date: June 16, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $19.99

I can’t tell you how excited I am to review the 25th Anniversary Edition of Transformers: The Complete First Season. I wasn’t sure we’d be receiving this DVD set, but lo and behold, here it is! I grew up with the Transformers. This was one of my favorite cartoons. I loved to watch this with my brother. We even had our own transformers Hasbro toys. I know we had Optimus Prime. He was always my favorite, but I was the younger kid, so I never got to be him!

Has it really been 25 years since the Transformers television series first aired? The show first debuted in September of 1984. At the time, I was three, almost four, years old! I loved this show so much. How cool is the thought of robots that can turn into cars, planes, and dinosaurs? While I never understood the point of transforming yourself into a gun, which I thought was pointless unless you had someone to shoot for you, the entire transforming process fascinated my little three year old brain.

The Transformers franchise is one of the biggest and most successful franchises having produced not only this hit television show (cartoon series), but also a successful, live action movie, multiple cartoon series’, a Hasbro toy line that is as popular now as it was in the 80s, and a variety of products from lunchboxes to clothing. Three decades (80s, 90s, 2000s) of children (and adults) have enjoyed the various Transformers incarnations, as they have graced their decade. Of course, it all began with the 1980s series my generation grew up watching.

I know I said it before, but I really can’t believe it has been 25 years since the show debuted. It’s good to know that Shout! Factory is planning to release a 25th Anniversary Complete Series Collection with all four seasons of Transformers later in 2009. This DVD set is more than enough to get me excited for the full series release. I don’t care if this show was designed for kids and the plot is somewhat simplistic. I have many happy memories of this show. For being simple, its entertaining and engaging with only occasional amounts of cheese. That’s what makes it the Transformers though and that’s what I love about it!

I must say that Shout! Factory has gone out of their way to make this 25th Anniversary Edition incredibly special. The peeps at Shout! Factory have researched the original series extensively. Apparently, some of the scenes from the past releases were excluded. The company made sure to include the laser blasts, other missing animation and Startscream has been remade into the whiny bi–…well…baby you always remember him being!

The Transformers: The Complete First Season Episode Guide
There were 16 episodes included in the first season of Transformers. These episodes are spread out across two discs. All of the episodes are around 23 minutes in length and include the “We’ll Be Right Back” messages that aired when the show debuted in the 1980s. These intros are so retro, but they make me giddy with memories of my childhood!

Here is the list of episodes, with a synopsis for each:

Disc One

“More Than Meets The Eye, Part I”
Original Air Date: September 17, 1984
The Transformers, who live on the planet Cybertron and are fighting a war between the good Autobots and the evil Decepticons, end up crashed on Earth on their quest to find a new energy source. When the Decepticons discover the new planet they’ve arrived on is abundant in energy, it’s up to the Autobots to stop them before they create the ultimate weapon and take over the world!

“More Than Meets The Eye, Part II”
Original Air Date: September 18, 1984
After a confrontation with the Decepticons that left the Autobots more than determined to stop them from their quest to steal the Earth’s energy, Optimus Prime and the rest of the Autobots meet two humans, Sparkplug and his son Spike. The men agree to help them because they know more about the Earth than the Autobots do. With the Autobots on their trail, Megatron decides to take over the Earth and steal its energy, by force, so he can build a ship and return to Cybertron with the new found energy.

Note: Some of the scenes at the Autobot’s base remind me of scenes in Michael Bay’s live action film, Transformers. I have to wonder if Bay was inspired by this episode!

“More Than Meets The Eye, Part III”
Original Air Date: September 19, 1984
After a fierce battle that left the Autobots defeated and Optimus Prime nearly unable to Transform, the Decepticons are able to create their ship. Despite being trapped within a rocky tomb, the Decepticons escape and resume their quest to take over the world. While all seems lost for the Autobots they have just one last chance to stop the Decepticons before they can return to Cybertron, and it all comes with the help of the whiny, wannabe Decepticon leader, Starscream.

“Transport To Oblivion”
Original Air Date: October 6, 1984
The Autobots believe they sent the Decepticons to the depths of the ocean floor, but Optimus Prime isn’t convinced they are completely gone. From their watery grave, the Decepticons get a message from Shockwave on Cybertron. The supply of energon cubes is incredibly low, so Megatron decides to come out of his underwater hideout to create a Space Bridge to transport energon cubes to Cybertron. Using a local plant and zapping a nearby city of its energy, the Autobots discover the Decepticons are alive, but when Bumblebee is captured and reprogrammed, the Autobots may be in more trouble than they anticipated.

“Roll For It”
Original Air Date: October 13, 1984
With Megatron stuck on Cybertron, Starscream decides he is the new leader of the Decepticons. Stoked by his newfound power, he crashes a plant where he tries to make energon cubes, before being foiled by the Autobots. Megatron returns to Earth to continue his plan of universal domination by stealing an anti-matter formula from a laboratory. With Starscream unwilling to trust Megatron, the Decepticons are split between who to follow, but when they work together to capture Chip, a man who has memorized the anti-matter formula, its up to the Autobots to save him.

“Divide & Conquer”
Original Air Date: October 20, 1984
Chip is helping factories to create weapons that can destroy the Decepticons. Starscream manages to invade a factory and steal its energy to fill energon cubes. Wanting his back patted by Megatron, Starscream delays returning and is attacked by Optimus Prime. The Decepticons manage to escape while Optimus is saving the humans and they believe he has been permanently deactivated. With Optimus believed to be out of the way, Megatron and the Decepticons believe they are free to continue their plan to take over the world.

“Fire In The Sky”
Original Air Date: December 8, 1984
Spike is excited to be having a snowball fight in the middle of July, but Prime sees this as a sign of trouble. He realizes the Earth’s heat is being drained from its core, dropping the temperature of the entire Earth. This can only mean one thing. The Decepticons are draining the heat from the Earth’s core, to make energon cubes. While draining the Earth, at the Arctic Circle, they discover a huge, frozen robot (Sky Fire), an Autobot from Starscream’s past that Megatron uses to turn into a Decepticon and take out the Autobots.

“S.O.S. Dinobots”
Original Air Date: October 27, 1984
When the Autobots experience several quakes they think the Decepticons might just be behind it. They end up finding dinosaur fossils and Spike tells the Autobots about these huge yet primitive creatures. The Autobots decide to create robot versions of dinosaurs, the Dinobots, to use them against the Decepticons. In the meantime, Megatron attacks a waterfall that produces energy. This is the next chapter in his quest to rule the world. With the Dinobots created, they seem like the perfect weapon, but when they turn on the Autobots Prime has more problems than he anticipated.

Disc Two

“Fire On The Mountain”
Original Air Date: December 22, 1984
The Decepticons find out about a mythical crystal that is full of so much power they hope to use it in a weapon. The weapon they seek to create will have enough power to destroy anything and everything that stand in its way. The Autobots find Sky Fire frozen in the ice and seek his help, in investigating activity at some previously abandoned temple ruins; the location of the crystal and the Decepticons.

“War Of The Dinobots”
Original Air Date: November 24, 1984
When the Decepticons are beaten by the Dinobots, Megatron blames Starscream. He and the rest of the Decepticons have no leadership ability nor strategy. Megatron sends Soundwave off to find out the Dinobots’ weaknesses. After discovering that they do have weaknesses (Slag is hostile, Grimlock is arrogant and Sludge is stupid), Megatron sets out to turn the Dinobots against the Autobots. To do so, he uses those weaknesses against them. This will allow Megatron to use an unstable meteorite for its power source.

“The Ultimate Doom, Part I”
Original Air Date: November 3, 1984
When a Maharajah converts his temple into a solar power station for his people, the Decepticons take it over. With the Decepticons having to take on the Autobots, and pulling out from the battle at the temple (much to Optimus’ suspicion), it gives them the perfect time to take Sparkplug prisoner. He’ll be used as a guinea pig by a crazy doctor that works with Megatron to make the humans slaves of the Decepticons.

“The Ultimate Doom, Part II”
Original Air Date: November 10, 1984
With Sparkplug a human slave of the Decepticons, it’s up to his son Spike to try and save him. The doctor has helped the Decepticons to create an army of human slaves who will help create energon cubes. In the meantime, Optimus has to choose between Earth and Cybertron, but his decision may destroy one of the planets and his friends on it. As Cybertron comes into the Earth’s orbit, it has the potential to destroy the Earth, something Megatron’s is hoping will happen. The energy from Cybertron in the orbit is enough to create enough energon cubes for the Decepticons to return to their home planet and take over.

“The Ultimate Doom, Part III”
Original Air Date: November 17, 1984
With Sparkplug having betrayed Spike by warning the Decepticons, the Autobots are in trouble on Cybertron. Spike promises to save his father, who is trying to fight the mind control of the doctor, though he isn’t entirely able to shake off the power of the microchip. With the Autobots attempting to foil the plan of Megatron and the Decepticons, it’s up to the Autobots and their human friends to try and fight to save both the Earth and Cybertron and protect life as we know it before its too late.

“Countdown To Extinction”
Original Air Date: December 1, 1984
With the aftermath of “The Ultimate Doom”, the Autobots must repair the Earth. With enough energy harnessed to knock Cybertron back out of the Earth’s orbit, the destroyed planet is able to be rebuilt. When Megatron returns to the Decepticon headquarters, he finds the Decepticons fighting amongst themselves. Starscream has taken over leadership of the group having left with the doctor to hatch his own destructive plan against the Earth. In the doctor’s lab, Starscream finds an exponential generator, which is the ultimate source of power. If disturbed it could destroy the Earth and all its inhabitants. Starscream alters the generator to release excessive amounts of energy, and when it does, it will destroy the Earth!

“A Plague Of Insecticons”
Original Air Date: December 29, 1984
In Demon Swamp (Bali), innocent humans encounter a weird breed of Transformers, the Insecticons. The insecticons are somehow affiliated with the Decepticons and they are attacking the humans on Bali. When the Autobots get an S.O.S. from Bali, they head to the island to find out what’s going on. It isn’t long before the Decepticons discover the Insecticons are evolved Decepticons that crashed on Earth before them and their entire purpose is to destroy, destroy, destroy!

“Heavy Metal War”
Original Air Date: December 15, 1984
At a construction site where there are energy discs to make heat and electricity, the Decepticons send the Constructicons to steal the discs. On top of the energy discs, they end up stealing a power converter in yet another plan by Megatron. The Decepticons create the Devastator who seeks to destroy the Autobots super computer, Teletraan-1. With Megatron and Optimus Prime going head to head in a duel, only one side can win! It’s up to Optimus to win in the name of good and hopefully defeat evil and Megatron with it.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Compared to other releases, the animation for the episodes included in this Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) set looks stunning. The episodes look nearly flawless. Shout! Factory restored the episodes, set at a 1.33:1 aspect ratio, to their original broadcast format. This includes everything you would have seen had you been watching this when it first aired in 1984.

Sure, the picture isn’t 100% perfect, but it almost is. I had trouble finding any flaws save for the occasional flickers of dirt and specks that are a natural part of the original source files. The colors are vibrant with realistic black tones and a vibrant color palette is used for everything from backgrounds to transformers body parts.

In the booklet that accompanies this set, Shout! Factory had this to say about their correction over previous DVD releases:

“Transformers DVDs released prior to out 25th Anniversary Edition were missing animation seen in the original broadcast. We did extensive research, found the discrepancies between the original broadcast masters and the restored masters used for the last DVD release, reinserted the correct animation, and color corrected it as best we could to match the shots before and after. But because a one-inch master tape simply can’t hold up to the quality of the restored masters, you may notice occasional shots – or even scenes – in some episodes that seem slightly softer than others, just take comfort in knowing that laser blasts have been reinserted, backgrounds have been corrected and Starscream is Starscream once again.”

The audio is excellent. It’s a new English: Dolby Digital 2.0 Stero mix that was created from the original sound files. In previous releases, new effects and other sounds were added, ruining the mix. I prefer this 2.0 to any 5.1 version, which souped up a show that didn’t need anything added to it. The volume is consistent with great use of both the front and back speakers. The dialogue is crisp. The music/soundtrack is robust. The sound effects are realistic, memorable, and not overpowering.

The English track is the only audio track on this DVD. The only disappointing part is that there are no subtitles or closed captioning, so the hearing impaired have to miss out on this great set. This is the only area where Shout! Factory and this DVD set lose points.

Visual: 4 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
There are some very nice bonuses included in this three-disc set. The third disc is reserved for the majority of bonuses. The bonuses start with some previews which show up at the beginning of Disc One. Before the menu there is a FBI Anti Piracy Warning and previews for Oban: Star Racers The Complete Series in two volumes and Mystery Science Theatre 3000: Vol. 14.

On Disc Three, the bonuses start with a featurette, “Triple Changer: From Toy To Comic To Screen.” This bonus is close to 20 minutes in length. This looks at Transformers and its franchise as a part of pop culture since its debut in the 80s. There are a variety of people who discuss the Transformers lasting appeal including Bob Budiansky, a comic book writer and the show’s executive producers Tom Griffin and Joe Bacal. This is a behind-the-scenes (making of, if you will) look at the series with original concept art included.

Next up is a series of Archived Transformer Hasbro Toy Commercials. These commercials are for Optimus Prime, Megatron, the Dinobots, the Insecticons, and G2 Optimus Prime. This is just a short feature, but boy does it bring back memories. I had some of these toys! There is a PSA, which were huge in the 80s. Apparently, the media thought us kids would listen to PSAs. This one is “Bumblebee: Running Away From Home,” which is exactly as it sounds and it encouraged kids not to run away from home.

There is a printable script for one of the season one episodes, “Transport To Oblivion”. You’ll have to pop the disc into your Computer DVD-ROM to access it. That’s all that’s available.

Bonus Features: 3.5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Shout! Factory has gone out of their way to present the first season of the Transformers television show exactly as it aired on television 25 years ago. This makes Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) well worth the upgrade from past releases of the series. No other set can compare. For a show that is quarter of a century old, this show looks exceptional. Can you tell that I love this set? Do the right thing and buy Transformers: The Complete First Season (25th Anniversary Edition) for your children, husband/wife, and yourself! You won’t regret the purchase.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Transformers: The Complete First Season, 25th Anniversary Edition, Hasbro, Shout! Factory, Optimus Prime, 80s, cartoons, Megatron

Season One: Clip 2

Season One: Clip 3

Season One: Clip 4

Season One: Clip 5

Season One: DVD Trailer

Season One: Clip Reel

Complete Series: Matrix Product Demo

Technorati Tags: Transformers, Season One, Box Set, Cartoon, Autobots, Decepticons, Shout Factory, 80s

Release Info:
Theatrical Release: 1998-2003
DVD Release Date: January 20, 2009
Online Availability: Amazon for $45.92

I loved the Powerpuff Girls. I watched the show regularly throughout its entire run of six seasons. There weren’t a lot of cartoons I was fond of in the 90s, but The Powerpuff Girls was one of those shows I just loved. The show ran from 1998-2003 before being shown in reruns on a variety of different cartoon networks. I still watch the show when and if I can, even though I’ve already seen most of the episodes.

You see, I grew up in the 80s. There was no better time for cartoons then in the 80s. I grew up with The Smurfs, Care Bears, Garfield and Friends, Rainbow Brite, The Gummi Bears, Shirt Tales, The Get Along Gang, Duck Tales and many other cool cartoons. Then the 90s came and as the decade progressed, cartoons decidedly went downhill. As I aged, I yearned for the good ol’ days, while shows I watched were replaced by the likes of Doug. Though decent enough to watch, these cartoons didn’t hold a candle to the shows I watched as a kid.

So, when The Powerpuff Girls came on television I was ecstatic. The show was witty. It didn’t talk down to kids the way many of the shows today seem to do, and adults could watch and enjoy this cartoon as much as the kids. I find that today, many cartoons dumb down their humor and speed up the story to the point where only the hyper, technology obsessed kids of today will find the show enjoyable. Back in the day, cartoons could still be funny and kid-friendly and yet remain intelligent. The Powerpuff Girls had this going for the show.

Add in the fact that the superheroes are girls and we have a great, positive message filled show that little girls can look up to, as well as little boys. The vast majority of heroes are male, so its nice to have something girls can enjoy just as much as boys. If you want to introduce the kids of today to a great, family-friendly cartoon that everyone in the family will want to watch, picking up this 10th Anniversary Edition Box Set of The Powerpuff Girls is definitely the way to go.

The The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series Plot
There were six seasons of The Powerpuff Girls for a total of 78 episodes. It’d take forever to list plots for all of the episodes. Instead, I will be listing the episodes and then letting you know a little bit about my favorite episodes from each season.

Season One

“Insect Aside/Powerpuff Bluff”
“Monkey See, Doggie Do/Mommy Fearest”
“Octi Evil/Geshundfight”
“Buttercrush/Fuzzy Logic”
“Boogie Frights/Abracadaver”
“Telephonies/Tough Love”
“Major Competition/Mr. Mojo’s Rising”
“Paste Makes Waste/Ice Sore”
“Bubblevicious/The Bare Facts”
“Cat Man Do/Impeach Fuzz”
“Just Another Manic Mojo/Mime For Change”
“The Rowdyruff Boys”
“Uh Oh Dynamo”

Favorites from Season One:
“Mommy Fearest”: The professor falls for the evil Sedusa disguised as the pleasant Ima Goodlady.
“Fuzzy Logic”: Fuzzy Lumpkins goes nuts on Townsville, wreaking havoc and leaving chaos in his wake. Only the girls and a flying squirrel can stop Fuzzy!
“Mr. Mojo’s Rising”: Mojo Jojo has more tricks up his sleeves as he reveals he was the Proffessor’s assistant, after Mojo kidnaps him.

Season Two

“Stuck Up, Up, and Away/Schoolhouse Rocked”
“Collect Her/Supper Villain”
“Birthday Bash/Too Pooped to Puf”
“Dream Scheme/You Snooze You Lose”
“Beat Your Greens/Down n’ Dirty”
“Save the Day/Los Dos Mojos”
“A Very Special Blossom/Daylight Savings”
“Mo Job/Pet Food”
“Imaginary Friend/Cootie Gras”
“The Powerpuff Girls Best Rainy Day Adventure Ever/Just Desserts”
“Twisted Sister/Cover Up”
“Speed Demon/Mojo Jonesin”
“Something’s a Miss/Slumbering with the Enemy”

Favorites from Season Two:
“Daylight Savings”: A very early curfew and bedtime makes stopping Mojo Jojo impossible for the girls. Try explaining that to the Professor who is taking advice from Ms. Keane on the matter.
“Twisted Sister”: The Powerpuff Girls create a fourth sister when they grow tired of fighting bad guys. Unfortunately, she’s not exactly sure who the bad guys are.

Season Three

“Fallen Arches/The Mane Event”
“Town and Out/Child Fearing”
“Criss Cross Crisis”
“Bubblevision/Bought and Scold”
“Getting’ Twiggy with It/Cop Out”
“Jewel of the Aisle/Super Zero”
“Three Girls and a Monster/Monkey See Doggy Two”
“Candy is Dandy/Catastrophe”
“Hot Air Buffoon/Ploys R Us”
“Helter Shelter/Power Lunch”
“Powerprof”
“The Headsucker’s Moxy/Equal Fights”
“Moral Decay/Meet the Beat Alls”

Favorites from Season Three:
“Jewel of the Aisle”: When a robber makes off with an expensive diamond, he foolishly loses it in a box of cereal. When the Professor buys the box of ‘Lucky Captain Rabbit King’ cereal with the diamond in it, he tries to disguise himself to get the diamond back.
“Criss Cross Crisis”: An experiment gone wrong by the Professor has everyone in Townsville switching bodies. This gives Mojo Jojo the perfect anonymity he wants to cause trouble in Townsville.
“Moral Decay”: Buttercup goes cash crazy when she accidentally knocks our one of Bubble’s teeth and Bubble gets $1 from the tooth fairy. Wanting more money, she starts knocking out the teeth of her villains and cashing in on them with the tooth fairy.
“Gettin’ Twiggy With It”: When the class hamster is being pet sat by one of the kids, Mitch Mitchelson, it soon becomes clear that Mitch isn’t very nice to Twiggy.
**”Meet the Beat-Alls”: This episode is worth it for all the references to the Beatles.

Season Four

“Film Flam”
“All Chalked Up”
“Get Back Jojo,” “Him Diddle Diddle”
“Members Only”
“Knock It Off”
“Superfriends”
“Nano of the North”
“Stray Bullet”
“Forced Kin”
“Keen on Keane/Not So Awesome Blossom”
“Power-Noia”
“Nuthin’ Special/Neighbor Hood”

Favorites from Season Four:
“Forced Kin”: The tables are turned on Mojo Jojo when he has to team up with the Powerpuff Girls to fight some very smart aliens.
“Film Flam”: Bernie Bernstein seems genuine when he decides to make a film about the crimesaving the Powerpuff Girls do. However, his bad attitude towards Bubbles sings a different tune.

Season Five

“Monstra City/Shut the Pup”
“I See a Funny Cartoon in Your Future/Octi-Gone”
“Toast of the Town/Divide and Conquer”
“Burglar Alarmed/Shotgun Wedding”
“Save Mojo/Substitute Creature”
“The Boys are Back in Town”
“See Me, Feel Me, Gnomey”
“Pee Pee G’s/Boy Toys”
“Seed No Evil/City of Clipsville”
“Lying Around the House/Bubble Boy”
“Documentary/Girls Gone Mild”
“Curses/Bang for Your Buck”
“Silent Treatment/Sweet ‘n Sour”

Favorites from Season Five:
“Shotgun Wedding”: When the Professor goes on a trip to study up on Fuzzy, he almost ends up seeing wedding bells instead.
“Pee Pee G’s”: It looks like the girls have had a midnight accident (if you get my drift), but they refuse to believe that’s really why their bed is wet.

Season Six

“Prime Mates/Coup D’Etat”
“Makes Zen to Me/Say Uncle”
“Reeking Havoc/Live and Let Dynamo”
“Mo’ Linguish/Oops I Did It Again”
“A Made Up Story”
“Little Miss Sunshine/Night Mayor”
“Custody Battle/City of Nutsville”
“Aspirations”
“That’s Not My Baby/Simian Says”
“Sun Scream/City of Frownsville”
“West in Pieces”
“Crazy Mixed Up Puffs/Mizzen in Action”
“Roughing It Up/What’s the Big Idea”

Favorites from Season Six:
“Reeking Havoc”: When the Professor makes his infamous chili, the entire town faces an epidemic. The girls must stop the ‘fart-fest’ before it gets out of hand.
“Crazy Mixed Up Puffs”: The girls’ arguments intensify when Mojo Jojo finds a way to literally keep them together.
“I See a Funny Cartoon in Your Future”: This episode rocks because it pays homage to Rocky & Bullwinke. June Foray lends her voice for this.

Storyline/Plot: 5 out of 5 stars
Replayability: 5 out of 5 stars
Acting: 5 out of 5 stars
Directing: 5 out of 5 stars

Audio/Visual:
Before I mention the quality of The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series, which is by no means bad, I have to rant a little about something I rarely talk about. This set was bound to be huge. One of the things that Cartoon Network did attempting to save space (or money) was utilizing both sides of the disc. While this was mildly annoying the thing that really got to me was the size of the overall set. It’s huge! The set is housed in regular sized DVD cases rather then the thiner cases, which would have made a great deal more sense.

The quality for The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series has its ups and downs. In the beginning things aren’t quite as impressive as they could be, but the series progresses quite nicely. Children’s cartoons often come with their faults, but Powerpuff Girls looks pretty good for something that has been off television for awhile. The art for the girls is just plain cute. They are adorable and they are crime fighters. Visually speaking the colors are good and there are few errors. At most you have some occasional grain. This disappears as the episodes go on. At the end, things look flawless.

The audio is covered by Dolby Digital 2.0 and it sounds fine. The sound effects are tons of fun, the music works just fine for what it is, and I never had a problem understanding the dialogue. I did not notice any major differences in the sound from season one to season six. Unlike the video, things were good from the start and they stayed that way.

Visual: 4 out of 5 stars
Audio: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Bonus Features:
When it comes to bonuses, The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series offers a mixed bag. There is a much greater amount of quality special features here than in the previous sets, but only a few of them are truly exciting. If you are expecting to be absolutely wowed by this set, you might have a problem with what you receive. However, there are a few goodies here. Just don’t expect perfection because it will not be available to you.

If you have the season one set of Powerpuff Girls already then you probably won’t find anything new on the first season discs. You receive some pilot type episodes and the original college short, “The Whoopass Girls: A Sticky Situation”. The college short is fun because it comes in the penciled version as well as the main finished version. Sadly though it comes without commentary. The pitch worthy pilots “Crime 101″ and “Meat Fuzzy Lumpkins” are also on this disc. Some audio tracks and additional animation are also added for some of “The Whoopass Girl” episodes.

There is an interesting CNN piece that looks at the work Cartoon Network once did. It contains interviews and a good look at what used to be awesome about Cartoon Network. There is an episode of Space Ghost Coast to Coast, “World Premiere Toon In” that was included as a way of introducing various Cartoon Network Shows including Girls and other amusing shows like Johnny Bravo. A ton of promose wrap out the first set of features and by a ton, I mean close to 20.

“Staylongers” and “Anger Management” begin the season two set. In addition to the promos, commentary has been added. The commentary tracks don’t add too much. If you want a good laugh and are interested in hearing something amusing you might like the commentaries, otherwise you won’t be too amused. The only other thing on the season two set is three little Show and Tell type pieces about the girls that they handle themselves. They are cute, but pretty short.

Seasons three through five are pretty slim pickins with each season offering a little less than the one before. Season three is home to a mere two music videos. The first is “I’m a Super Girl” by Shonen Knife and the second is “Signal in the Sky” by Apples in Stereo. The nice thing about these videos is that they include newer graphics and when they are added to old video footage they are quite fun to watch.

Another promo is added here along with the videos, but that’s it. Season four includes a couple of promos and a nearly hour-long Christmas special, “Twas the Fight Before Christmas.” It is becoming more and more unfortunate to see that many of the features that were added to separate DVDs were left out.

There are a number of things included here, but for everything mentioned it seems that something has been left out that was available on a previous release. Season five includes the least of the special features. There are only four promos to watch with season five and they don’t add a whole lot to the bunch.

The sixth season is filled with mainly new features. There are a few promos, but the majority seems to be all new stuff. A new tenth anniversary episode is included. While “The Powerpuff Girls Rule” is done in flash, it has the look of the original series and it really feels like one of the old episodes. This was one of the best features by far, just because it’s nice to see the Girls back in action.

Another great feature is “The Powerpuff Girls: Who, What, When, Where, Why, How…Who Cares?” This documentary lasts for around 30 minutes and it offers plenty of information about the history of the show. It’s funny but informative. Along with the history, the documentary offered interviews, art, and plenty more information on the show. Had all of the features been like this they certainly would have received a higher rating.

Bonus Features: 3 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series offers all of the episodes from the six seasons of this series. This show is awesome. If your kids are not watching it already, they need to start. You can introduce your children to this amazing show by purchasing the The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series, which is fairly affordable, considering how many episodes are included in this set. Add in some pretty good bonuses and this set is well worth the purchase. The Powerpuff Girls: The Complete Series is highly recommended.

Overall Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Cartoons, TV on DVD, DVD Review, PowerPuff Girls, Bubbles, Buttercup, Blossom