Toon Talk: The Top of 2003
Page 2 of 5
(c) Disney/Pixar
#1 - Finding Nemo
A Disney/Pixar Film and Collector’s Edition DVD
A Disney/Pixar Film and Collector’s Edition DVD
Gorgeous animation, creative direction and a
memorable cast of fish were not what made this film so enjoyable that
audiences kept returning in droves (although these elements certainly didn’t
hurt). No, it was the simple, heartfelt story hidden under the sea, and I’m
not referring to the main father-searching-for-his-lost-son plot (which, as
effective as it was, certainly didn’t hurt either); I’m referring to the story
of the ever plucky Dory (brilliantly voiced by Ellen DeGeneres) who, through
the course of her adventures, finds her own “home�? in the vast depths of this
big, lonely ocean. It was her humble story, along with Marlin and Nemo’s
equally uplifting quest for understanding and discovery, which made Finding
Nemo such a joyful visit to theaters; a delight-filled, feature-packed
Collector’s Edition DVD certainly didn’t hurt either …
(c) Disney
#2 - Sleeping Beauty
Special Edition DVD
Special Edition DVD
After years in the shadows of her more successful peers Snow White and
Cinderella, Briar Rose, né e Princess Aurora, a.k.a. the Sleeping Beauty, at
long last received her own, justly deserved place in the spotlight with this
finely-appointed Special Edition DVD. Packing as much historical information
and vintage Eyvind Earle artwork as they possibly could onto two discs, the
makers of this set (including Jeff Kurtti, this year’s Disney MVP) presented
to Beauty fans a “once upon a dream�? collection.
(c) Disney
#3 - 20,000 Leages Under the Sea
Special Edition DVD
Special Edition DVD
The most popular Disney live action adventure film ever made (just ask any
thirty something male weaned on The Wonderful World of Disney), this
Jules Verne fantasy classic made its long-awaited DVD debut with a stunning
assortment of rare behind-the-scenes footage and ‘making of’ supplements,
including the infamous ‘Sunset Squid’ sequence and a virtual tour of the
Nautilus. Plus: candid interviews from star Kirk Douglas and director Richard
Fleischer, dishing on each other, among others.
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(c) Disney
(c) Disney
#4 - Freaky Friday
Walt Disney Pictures
Walt Disney Pictures
Remakes are a tricky operation … after all, if the original was good enough to
be considered remaking, then why do it? But thanks to a fresh approach from
director Mark S. Waters and a smart script update from Heather Hach and Leslie
Dixon, this Freaky is anything but a rehash. And with comedically
golden (and, most of all, real) performances from Jamie Lee Curtis and
Lindsay Lohan as the body-switched mother and daughter, you’ll thank god for
this Friday.