Toon Talk: The Top of 2003 - Dec 31, 2003

Toon Talk: The Top of 2003
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(c) Disney/Pixar
 
#1 - Finding Nemo
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
 
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
 
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
 
#4 - Freaky Friday
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.