According to a Disney Press Release

On January 31, 2012, The Walt Disney Studios proudly unleashes Treasure Buddies, an all-new live action feature for the whole family on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital. The 6th film in the Buddies franchise stars everyone’s favorite talking canine superstars Rosebud, B-Dawg, Budderball, Buddha and Mudbud, as the pup pack journeys to mysterious Egypt in search of the greatest treasure known to animalkind, the legendary Cat’s Eye jewel, from the lost treasure of Cleocatra! Danger lurks around every secret sphinx, cryptic crypt and puzzling pyramid as Ubasti, a devious cat, schemes to possess the mystical jewel and use its powerful energy to rid the planet of all dogs! With help from new lovable friends Cammy, a baby camel – and a mischievous monkey named Babi – the gang and their new friends avoid booby traps, solve puzzles and explore a mysterious tomb in their most exciting and challenging adventure yet.

Treasure Buddies tail wagging adventure debuts across North America as an all-new 2-Disc Blu-ray™ Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD), 1-Disc DVD and Standard Definition and High Definition Digital on January 31, 2012.

Bonus Features:
DIGS: B-Dawg Edition – In this fun bonus feature, B-Dawg the hip hop happening pup gives a tour of his home to kid reporter G.

“Roam” Music Video – A re-make of The B-52s song performed by Caroline Sunshine, Kenton Duty and Adam Irigoyen from the cast of the Disney Channel hit series “Shake it Up.”

Technorati Tags: Treasure Buddies, Dogs, Disney, B-Dawg, Family, Comedy, Clips, January 2012

Real Life Prom (Bonus)

That’s a No (Bonus)

Lloyd’s Attempts (Bonus)

Just Be Lloyd (Film)

Disney’s PROM will be released August 30th on Blu-ray & DVD!

Technorati Tags: Disney, Prom, Slideshow, Trailer, Interactive Content, Videos, Family Entertainment

I have noticed that people either seem to love or hate OK Go. I don’t know what makes them so polarizing among my group of friends and peers, but something about them produces one emotion or the other. So, what do you think about this video? Of the people that have weighed in, many have told me they hate it. While some I know do not hate it, most have (at least) said they were disappointed in it because it doesn’t mesh with their image of The Muppets.

The music video was directed by Kirk Thatcher, who previously directed two videos for the Muppets, “Ode to Joy” and “Muppet Bohemian Rhapsody”. It made perfect sense to release another Muppets video to promote the November release of the Muppets’ seventh full-length feature film, Disney’s “The Muppets.”

What do you think about this video? Sound off in the comments and let us know!

Technorati Tags: The Muppets, Theme Song, OK Go, Remix, Remake, Video, Music Video, Disney’s The Muppets

To celebrate the release of the film we’ve gathered plenty of the special features, available stills, and even the trailer for your viewing pleasure. Check them out and if you love the movie as much as we think we will, make sure to pick it up on May 24. Make sure to come back and check out our upcoming review, as well, so you can let us know what you thought of the movie!

Still Slideshow

Trailer

Conditioning (Bonus)

Trying to Connect- Deleted Scene (Bonus)

Sam’s Mom- Deleted Scene (Bonus)

Number 6 Hallway Fight (Film)

Testing the Legacies (Film)

Technorati Tags: I Am Number Four, Movie, Action, Michael Bay, DJ Caruso, Dianna Agron, Alex Pettyfer, Timothy Olyphant, Disney Home Entertainment, Bluray, DVD, On Demand, May 24

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

How did you get involved with the project?
I auditioned. It was a funny process because I nearly didn’t go into the audition. I knew it was a Disney film and I thought that everyone and their mother would be auditioning for the role. I thought to myself, ‘Why am I going to set myself up for this disappointment?’ But then I realized that I might as well throw my name into the hat. There aren’t many auditions in the world where you get to sing a song and read a scene, so I went for it. I still can’t believe that I got a callback and ended up with the job. It’s crazy.

How would you describe the audition process?
I auditioned a few times at Disney. I had to read a couple of scenes and I had to sing something for the audition, so I brought a Joni Mitchell song along with me.

Which Joni Mitchell song did you choose?
I sang “Help Me,” which is a song I love to sing. It was fun, but I didn’t really think much of the audition because I heard there were so many people going for the role. I kept thinking to myself, ‘What are the chances of me getting this role? It’s very slim.’

How nervous were you at the audition?
To be honest, it wasn’t too nerve wracking. It was actually pretty fun because you never get to sing in auditions and I love to sing. I just went in there and did my best.

How did you react when you were told you’d won the role?
I was so excited when I found out I was going to be the voice of Rapunzel. I remember the moment clearly. I was working in New York at the time. I was with some friends and my husband – and I screamed as soon as I found out the news. I was over the moon.

How is Rapunzel different to the other Disney princesses?
Rapunzel is a bit more relatable than the other princesses, especially because she doesn’t even know that she’s a princess until the very end of the movie. I like to think of her as the bohemian Disney princess. She’s barefoot and living in a tower. She paints and reads… She’s a Renaissance woman.

Does Rapunzel look like you?
I like to say that we look like one another, but the character was developed way before I had anything to do with it. In that respect, I think that any similarities are probably coincidental, although I’m very happy with how she looks.

What went through your mind the first time you saw Rapunzel animated?
It took my breath away. I couldn’t believe how much of a sweetheart she looked. The detail on her face was mind-boggling and her hair was insane. You can see each individual strand. That’s pretty intense.

What’s your favorite memory from working on the animation?
Recording the music was one of the biggest highlights for me. I’d never experienced working on a sound stage with a 65-piece orchestra before. I remember sitting there with (composer) Alan Menken and Zach Levi (who voices Flynn Rider in Tangled). I was thinking to myself, ‘Wow… Remember this experience, Mandy. This is a special, once-in-a-lifetime moment.’

Can you take us through the recording process for the music of the movie?
Sure. First of all, Zach and I sang in the middle of the sound stage along with the orchestra so that everybody could get a feel for the music and the singing. As soon as everyone had a feel for the vibe, Zach and I went into isolation booths and sung there instead. It was such an unreal process. It was one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life. To know that I was one little piece of this huge wall of sound was beautiful.

Did you enjoy recording the dialogue for the movie, too?
That was a lot of fun, but it was also a lot of hard work because I didn’t have any of the animation to look at. All I had to work off were a few sketches. I was standing in a recording booth and it can get pretty lonely in there, but it was also fun because it allows you to go into the depths of your imagination. You have to draw a picture in your head as to what this world looks like. You have to imagine where your character is going and what she is doing. It felt like I was a little girl playing pretend all on my own.

How did you come up with the voice of Rapunzel?
I don’t know. I just walked into the sound booth and I let myself go. I had to be as unguarded as possible and I had to explore the character, even though it sometimes felt totally goofy and weird.

How did you prepare for the sound booth? Did you do any vocal warm-ups before you entered the room?
No, I didn’t do anything like that. If I was singing in the sound booth, then I would do some vocal warm-ups, but that was it. I didn’t do anything different if I was just recording regular dialogue.

What are your favorite Disney movies?
Growing up, I was obsessed with Disney movies like The Little Mermaid, Aladdin and Beauty And The Beast. I was always singing the songs from these movies, so to find myself in the studio with Alan Menken was an amazing experience. In fact, it was a dream come true. I couldn’t believe it. I was standing next to the man who created all these iconic songs as I was trying to encompass Rapunzel. It was a very special moment in my life.

And finally… Why should we buy Tangled on DVD?
Because it’s the perfect combination of quintessential Disney fairytale storytelling with a wonderful contemporary edge. There is lots of humor, music and adventure in the movie. There’s something for everyone in Tangled.

TANGLED is Available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD & Movie Download March 29th!

Technorati Tags: Tangled, Mandy Moore, Interview, Rapunzel, Videos, Movie Clips, DVD Release, Blu-Ray Release, Disney, Pixar, Animated Film

What can you tell us about Flynn’s past?
During the movie, we discover that Flynn had a crap childhood. He changed his name and he was driven towards a very selfish life because he didn’t have much fun as a child. However, he starts to change when he discovers Rapunzel. Here is a girl who has been cooped up in a tower for 18 years. She has never seen the outside world and yet she is still very loving. She’s not jaded at all.

How similar are Rapunzel and Flynn?
These are two very different characters that end up learning a lot from each other on a rather crazy adventure. In fact, I like to think of Tangled as an animated, family-friendly Romancing The Stone. In my eyes, that’s exactly what the movie is like to watch.

How did you get involved with the movie?
I got a call inviting me to audition for Disney’s new animated musical – and I was immediately sold. I am a huge fan of Disney. I have been a fan ever since I was a little kid. In fact, I’ve always dreamed of being a voice in a Disney animation and I’ve always wanted to sing for Disney, so this opportunity was a dream come true.

Did you have to sing for your Tangled audition?
I was told to prepare a singer-songwriter song for the audition and the first thing that came to my mind was a James Taylor track called “Sweet Baby James.” If somebody says ‘pop’ to me, I think of Michael Jackson or Justin Timberlake. If somebody says ‘singer-songwriter’, the first person I think of is James Taylor. There are plenty of modern singer-songwriters, but there is something about James Taylor that has always resonated with me.

How worried were you about the singing aspect of the audition?
I’ve sung my whole life, so I wasn’t too worried. My singing has mostly been for fun but I’ve also done a lot of musical theater, so I have booked jobs based on my voice before. It wasn’t like I was walking into the room and talking to Simon Cowell, Paula Abdul and Randy Jackson about a potential musical career.

You sound pretty confident about your singing voice…
Well, I know what I sound like when I sing. It wasn’t like I have parents that have told me my whole life, “Honey, you sing amazingly.” And then I get into sing for an audition and people scream, “Boo! You’re rubbish. Find another vocation.” I certainly felt comfortable enough in the audition room.

If you enjoy singing, does this mean you enjoy karaoke, too?
Karaoke is interesting because I think there is a method to the madness. I believe in choosing songs that have audience participation where everyone claps or sings along with the chorus. You’ve got to get everybody on your side and it’s easy to do that if you choose something with a great deal of audience participation.

Can you give us some examples?
Songs like “Sweet Caroline” feature a good amount of audience participation. It’s cheesy, but if it hasn’t been done all night, somebody has got to do it. I also love singing Journey, but it’s out of my key. Unless they have some kind of a key changer, I can’t really do it.

What about a classic like “Ice Ice Baby”?
This is the problem… You don’t want to be too ironic. If you get too ironic and everyone thinks you’re trying too hard, then you fail at karaoke. Nobody does “Ice Ice Baby” right now. Leave it two more years and “Ice Ice Baby” will be back on top. Not yet, though. Leave it for now.

You mentioned earlier than Flynn changed his name as a child. Did you ever consider changing your name when you were younger?
No, not really. I don’t think things like that ever crossed my mind.

You never wanted to call yourself Han Solo or anything like that?
Oh, I wish I had. Can you imagine how amazing that would’ve been? I want to be the coolest parent ever and name my son Han Solo. At first, my son would think, ‘I have the most stupid name in the world.’ And then he would slowly realize over time, ‘No, I was wrong… Han Solo is the coolest name ever. I could have been Chewbacca!’

Is Zachary Levi your real name?
My last name is Pugh. My middle name is Levi. The only name change I’ve gone through is dropping the Pugh and sticking with the Levi – but that’s it. It was very subtle.

Flynn Ryder is a bandit in the movie. What is your most roguish quality?
Wow, that’s a tough question to answer. Well, I guess I’m a wicked video game player. When it comes to video games, I show no mercy! I can also wear the same clothes for a week straight. That’s probably the most offensive thing that I do.

Did you enjoy working in the sound booth for Tangled?
It was a great experience. However, I found it a little strange because I was alone in the sound booth. I thought I might record some of the dialogue with Mandy Moore (who voices Rapunzel), but that didn’t happen. Everyone records the dialogue separately.

How did you come up with the voice of Flynn?
I wanted Flynn to be different to my normal voice. I think that was appropriate given that it’s a fantasy world set in a medieval, renaissance-style era. If the movie was set in modern times, I’d use my regular voice – but I wanted him to sound different to my regular cadence.

Were you excited to discover that your character in Tangled provides much of the comedy of the movie?
I was incredibly happy, but I have to admit that the animals steal the show. When it comes to the comedy of Tangled, the gecko and the horse are outstanding. W.C. Fields said never work with kids or animals, but the gecko and the horse end up stealing my thunder.

What makes you laugh?
Every Pixar movie makes me laugh uncontrollably. My friends are all starting to have little kids, so we all end up watching Pixar movies a lot. I can sit and watch Pixar movies over and over again. They never get boring.

What’s your favorite Pixar movie?
I’ve seen all of the Pixar movies – Cars, Finding Nemo, A Bug’s Life, Ratatouille, WALL-E, Toy Story – and they all make me laugh, but Nemo is definitely the best in my book. Ellen DeGeneres is hysterical as Dory, although I think Tangled is certainly up there with the comedy, too. It certainly made me laugh out loud on numerous occasions!

TANGLED is Available on Blu-ray 3D, Blu-ray, DVD & Movie Download March 29th!

Technorati Tags: Tangled, Zachary Levi, Interview, Flynn Rider, Videos, Movie Clips, DVD Release, Blu-Ray Release, Disney, Pixar, Animated Film

Release Info:
Original Air Date: August 21, 1942
DVD Release Date: March 1, 2011
Online Availability: Amazon for $26.99

Disney has the distinguished ability to say that they have made movies that children will never forget. With each Diamond Edition film that comes out, I become giddy, remembering watching the film as a child. One of my favorite films growing up, especially by Disney, was Bambi. Luckily for me, I was born a female, because for years I hated boys that enjoyed hunting season just because of this one film. That’s one of the many beautiful parts of Bambi. It teaches children the importance of the forest and all of the lives living in it. I wouldn’t go as far as saying it made me a vegetarian (because it didn’t), though I know some that went that route, but I will say that I have yet to eat venison and I’m not looking to try it anytime soon.

Now that I have children of my own I love being able to watch these movies with my kids and my nephew. The movies are still as important and exciting to me as they were when I was a child. Of course, they are even more exciting now because I can see the excitement the kids are experiencing and that makes it so much better. Knowing how my mom felt when she watched these movies with me, is an interesting, and exciting thing. It’s also nice to be able to put in a film that the whole family can enjoy. This isn’t one of those films that you can stomach for the sake of the kids. You end up actually enjoying it, which can be rare with some children’s films.

Bambi receives a top quality treatment with a beautifully restored audio and visual rendering, a plethora of bonus features, and a plot as timeless as the day it was written. I rarely say that any movie is must own, but this is a must own release. If you own the DVD I recommend selling it on Amazon and buying this combo pack. With this you will receive both the DVD and Blu-ray in a stellar set. Don’t let this one pass you buy because it will be great for the kids and when they have kids you will be pulling it out to experience the enjoyment with a new generation when the time comes.

The Bambi Plot
Bambi is a story of life, love, and loss. A doe gives birth to a young fawn that is known as Bambi. The young fawn is shown learning to become an adult. we are with him through his first steps and the first words that he speaks. We also have a chance to meet some of his friends, Thumper, a young rabbit, and Flower, a skunk that Bambi picks a name for, much to Flowers delight.

As Bambi gets older, his mother takes him into the meadow to show him the beauty of the open forest, but also to explain to him the danger that exists in the meadow. With nowhere to hide, she explains that deers in the meadow are in danger so they need to do what is necessary to protect themselves. Bambi has a chance to meet Faline, a female fawn, and his father while he is in the meadow. His father saves him from danger and explains that “man” was in the forest, which is why they had to retreat for their lives.

The complete life cycle of the seasons is shown, with the playful young animals enjoying the winter as they slide around on the ice and play in the snow. This leads to the melting of the snow, and the rebirth of Spring, though it does not come without some loss. As Bambi gets older and grows into an adult he learns that life can be hard, but it is also filled with amazing moments and beautiful, loving relationships.

Despite being a young deer, Bambi is put in a position where he has to save the love of his life, from other male suitors and eventually from man, who only sees the animals in the forest as food or a prize in a sport. As the meadow lights up in fire set by man, it is up to Bambi to save Faline so that they can live happily ever after.

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

Audio/Visual:
I am so happy that Disney was the studio to release Bambi. The reason for that is that Disney is notoriously known for providing flawless restorations for their older movies. Bambi is no exception. This movie looks absolutely gorgeous. I am not sure how they managed to take a film as old as this one and make it look brand new, but that is exactly what they did. The colors are lavish and actually pop on the screen with beautiful, rich greens in the forrest, bright flowers, and a natural earthy look where it fits in the picture. The black levels are also amazing. The detail is comparable to a movie just made, with a strong background presence and crisp lines on every element of the film. It appears that everything that the animators attempted to portray is alive and well in this feature. Also worth noting is the fact that Bambi is free of any annoying factors. You will not spot dirt, noise, or any compression problems. The only thing to see here is a beautifully restored classic animated film.

Bambi offers a DTS-HD 7.1 sound mix that delivers everything you need to enjoy this movie and more. The background sound is heard clearly and will allow you to experience the sounds of the forrest as you laugh with the main characters in the forrest. The dialogue remains clear throughout the film and the musical segments sound slightly aged, but amazing regardless of age. Other audio tracks included are the original Dolby 2.0 track and 5.1 tracks in French and Spanish. Subtitles are also available in all three languages.

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

Bonus Features:
While many special releases like this will overload you with special features, Bambi does just the opposite. Most of the special features here are worth watching and some of them are worth watching more than once. This will be a great offering for Disney lovers and huge Bambi fans alike.

Bambi: Inside Walt’s Story Meetings – For me, this stands out as one of the coolest special features in the Bambi lineup. Using the Picture-in-Picture format, you have a chance to see a recreation of the story and the meetings that Walt Disney had with his team during the production process. This featurette was made using transcripts that the filmmakers kept of the meetings. While I am not a fan of commentaries for the most part, something like this is similar, but ends up offering plenty of information you wouldn’t have received in a commentary. Included here is a selected amount of archival footage, photographs from the production, sketches and concept art, and even color tests. If you want to up the ante you can press the enter button when you are prompted and you receive a plethora of additional information. Among the more notable points of this area are classic animated shorts, anecdotes, and secret featurettes that are only found in this area.

The Making of Bambi: A Prince is Born: This six part documentary lasts for around an hour. It includes the areas of Story, Characters, Actors, Art Design, Music, and History. If there was any questions you had or things you wanted to know about Bambi chances are you will find that information here.

If you’re a fan of Interactive Galleries you will find hundreds of pictures in various sections. Included are character design sketches, production photos, visual development shots, storyboards, and background paintings.

Eight minutes of Deleted Scenes offer four deleted shots. Two of the scenes, “Two Leaves” and ” Bambi Stuck on a Reed” have not been available in any other releases. Along with the two new scenes, are two scenes that have been available on various Bambi DVD releases. Those two scenes are “Winter Grass” and “Bambi’s First Snow.”

“Twitterpated” is a song that never made it in the movie. This two minute deleted song is included along with the other special features.

Inside the Disney Archives: This nine minute segment gives you a chance to experience some of the original Bambi artwork in the Disney Vault with one of the studio animators.

Disney Second Screen: Second Screen is a new feature that allows viewers to synch up their computers or iPads to receive additional downloadable content

Disney’s Big Book of Knowledge: This one is perfect for the kids. This gives them a chance to check out the forest in more detail. The kids have a chance to meet Bambi and his friends. Some games are also available in this section.

Tricks of the Trade: This seven minute section has Walt Disney showing off the multi-plane camera and various animation techniques of the Disney animators.

The Old Mill lasts for nine minutes and includes the 1937 Academy Award winning animated short “Silly Symphony”

Also included are the original theatrical trailer, Disney View (this allows you to fill the black spaces on your television screen with artwork) and a variety of sneak peeks for such movies as Winnie the Pooh, Bambi 2, Tangled, The Lion King, and Tinker Bell and the Mysterious Winter Woods.

Bonus Features: 5 out of 5 stars

Bottom Line:
Classic Disney movies are considered must own films. This is what it really comes down to. They are must own because the films are generally fabulous and the modern treatment that Disney gives them is nothing short of fabulous. Bambi looks and sounds amazing. This is as close to a modern-looking movie as something can be that was made decades ago. Most importantly, Bambi is one of those ageless tales that breeze through the generational gaps. Parents will enjoy this with their children and in many cases this will be a movie that grandkids could enjoy with their grandparents. While you likely own Bambi in other formats, you owe it to yourself to pick this up in Bluray. It will be well worth the money spent.

Overall Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

Technorati Tags: Blu-Ray Review, Bambi, Two-Disc, Diamond Edition, Blu-ray/DVD Combo, Disney, Classic, Animation, Disney Movie, Thumper, Flower

TIP ONE: ASK AWAY…
Papi says: “This dad business is harder than I thought. I should’ve read the manual – or at least some books! Don’t be scared to ask your friends and family for help or advice. After all, that’s what they’re here for. Oh, and invest in some parenting books. Every snippet of advice helps.”

TIP TWO: FOLLOW YOUR HEART…
Papi says: “Any mutt can have puppies, but it takes a real dog to be a father and that’s why my top piece of advice is simple: follow your heart. Fatherhood is more nerve-wracking than a trip to the vet, but you learn as you go along. Keep your chin up and your ears open – and embrace parenthood with an open heart.”

TIP THREE: PLAY AWAY…
Papi says: “It’s important to get active as a family, so put some time aside for outdoor activities and off-leash fun. Head to the beach, pool, garden or dog park with your litter – and play away. Get active, everyone!”

TIP FOUR: PAINT A PERFECT PUP PICTURE!
Papi says: “Art activates the creative part of the brain. Well, that’s what my friend Delgado tells me. Non-toxic paints for toddlers are great.”

TIP FIVE: PLAN SOME STORY TIME…
Papi says: “I’m always telling the puppies stories. It sometimes gets me into trouble with Chloe, but it’s a wonderful way to get the youngsters thinking. My family is descended from an ancient line of proud warriors and my little ones learn about their history when I tell them tales about our Aztec roots. Everyone loves a story – especially the pups.”

TIP SIX: FOOD FOR THOUGHT…
Papi says: “Get your children interested in healthy foods from an early age by offering them colorful and healthy chow like fresh fruit and vegetables. We prefer dog food, but you get the picture. Holy guacamole!”

TIP SEVEN: MORNING MAYHEM…
Papi says: “Does your kennel get messy in the morning? Well, don’t start the day off on the wrong paw… Give your children breakfast in their pajamas. If they spill anything, they don’t have to change their clean school clothes. It’s paw-fect!”

TIP EIGHT: PREPARE FOR RAINY DAYS…
Papi says: “You can’t go to the dog park if it’s raining outside, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have a fun adventure. Why not have an indoor picnic? Place a blanket in an unusual corner of the house, sit down as a family and eat there. The tails will be wagging in no time!”

TIP NINE: SNACK ATTACK!
Papi says: “Do you live life on the run? Don’t worry! Always keep a healthy snack with you for the little ones in case of an emergency. No unhealthy fast food is needed if you keep some fruit or rice cakes with you at all times. Or a doggy treat, of course.”

TIP TEN: EAT BEFORE SHOPPING…
Papi says: “Never go grocery shopping on an empty stomach – and make sure your little one has eaten, too. A fed youngster will make a much better Chihuahua companion at the shops – and this will also save you heaps of money too.”

TIP ELEVEN: TAKE A BAG OF TRICKS…
Papi says: “Heading out for a family meal or a long journey? Pack a small bag of toys, travel-size games or coloring-in and dot-to-dot booklets along with crayons and pencils. Keep the puppies occupied and they won’t get bored and restless.”

TIP TWELVE: BUY AN APRON…
Papi says: “I love getting dirty, but my special señorita, Chloe, is not so keen. That’s why I think we should invest in a full-length apron that covers her from top to bottom. If one of the pups is sick or the food goes flying at meal times, at least she won’t have to change outfits or waste time cleaning up. Plus, nobody is in the doghouse!”

TIP THIRTEEN: COLOR-CODED CUTIES…
Papi says: “Got more than one youngster in your litter? We have different colored collars on our pups to help tell them apart easily. Associate a color with each of your little ones and dress them accordingly. It doesn’t have to be an entire outfit; just a colored accessory like a dummy or bottle top will do the trick.”

TIP FOURTEEN: WATCH SOME TV…
Papi says: “Movies and TV shows can be good conversation starters for a young family – and they often lead to fun family discussions. Pop on a DVD every once in a while and watch together as a family. Our top tip? Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, of course!”

TIP FIFTEEN: HAVE FUN…
Papi says: “Take time out to enjoy the pups in your life. Throw a dance contest or a backyard race; set up random treasure hunts around the house; hold a teddy bear or doll party… Have fun with the little ones, enjoy yourself and get the whole gang’s tails wagging. That’s what family life is all about. Aye Chihuahua!”

BEVERLY HILLS CHIHUAHUA 2 ON DVD & BLU-RAY 02/01/11!

Technorati Tags: Beverly Hills Chihuahua 2, Papi’s Parenting Tips, Disney, DVD Release, Extras, Fun Feature, Dogs, Family Fun

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