Toon Talk: Aladdin II & III
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What knocks this DVD down a couple pegs is not the film itself, but how it’s presented. The original home video release was full-screen, but for some reason (maybe to make it look more ‘theatrical’?) the film is presented in widescreen letterbox, which crops off the top and bottom of the screen (for a perfect example of how this effects the picture, check out the Brady Bunch boxes section of the song “Father and Son�?). What makes this decision even more odd is that it is usually the reverse of the situation (cropping a widescreen picture down to full screen) that is usually the cause of disappointment.
Filling out the two discs are such Bonus Features as the Disney Song Selection (like anybody would want to hear these songs again; Thieves does have the option of onscreen lyrics), disposable DVD games (Jafar’s “Wish at Your Own Risk�?; Thieves’ “Bag the Bad Guys�? and “Loot the Lair�?) and featurettes on “Wishes Around the World�? (on Jafar; a DisneyPedia about wishing legends and customs from different countries, such as four-leaf clovers and wishing wells) and “Behind the Microphone�? (on Thieves), a brief but fun peek at the voice actors, including Robin Williams and the late, great Jerry Orbach.
Toon Talk Ratings:
Aladdin: The Return of Jafar:
D -
Aladdin and the King of Thieves:
B-
|
In this new ‘Toon Talk’ feature, I’ll briefly highlight a recommended film or DVD, outside of the Disney universe, of similar interest to the main subject. For more Middle Eastern adventure, you can do no better then The Thief of Bagdad, either in the 1924 original silent version starring Douglas Fairbanks or the gorgeous 1940 color spectacular that won Academy Awards for its cinematography, sets and special effects (it lost the scoring Oscar to a little film called Pinocchio). Magic carpets, evil viziers, genies in bottles … they’re all here in two of the greatest fantasy films ever made, obvious inspirations for the makers of the original Aladdin. The 1924 Thief is available on DVD from several sources, including Image Entertainment and, from Kino International, a deluxe edition that adds a new score (adapted from the original cue sheets), color tinting and rare outtakes and special effects shots. The 1940 Thief is available from MGM Home Video. |
Coming Soon in Toon Talk:
- Travel back to Ancient China for the latest adventures of Disney’s favorite cross-dressing heroine in the video premiere Mulan II (February 1st).
- Winnie the Pooh and the whole Hundred Acre Wood gang return for the new theatrical feature Pooh’s Heffalump Movie (February 24th).
- One of Walt’s true masterpieces, Bambi, is feted in a new Platinum Edition DVD (March 1st).
And Coming Soon from Buena Vista Home Video:
- Bernie Mac stars in the baseball comedy Mr. 3000 (February 1st).
- The patriotic documentary America’s Heart and Soul is made available for general release on February 1st.
- Two volumes of Growing Up with Winnie the Pooh: A Great Day of Discovery and Friends Forever (February 8th).
- More Disney Princess fun with Disney Princess Stories: Volume 2 and Disney Princess Party: Volume 2 - Tales of Friendship (February 15th).
- Three Studio Ghibli classics get the Special Edition treatment: The Cat Returns, Naussica of the Valley of the Wind and Porco Rosso (February 22nd).
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-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logo by William C Searcy,
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Kirby is a lifelong Disney fan and film buff. He is also an avid list maker and chronic ellipsis user ...
Took Talk: Disney Film & Video Reviews by Kirby C. Holt is posted whenever there's something new to review.
The opinions expressed by our Kirby C. Holt, and all of our columnists, do not necessarily represent the feelings of LaughingPlace.com or any of its employees or advertisers. All speculation and rumors about the future plans of the Walt Disney Company are just that - speculation and rumors - and should be treated as such.
-- Posted January 18, 2005