Toon Talk: Top Ten of 2004
Page 3 of 4

Expectations were low for this new animated release (which on first glance looked like a bovine take on Chicken Run), so imagine the joyful surprise when directors Will Finn and John Sanford hit this loony comedy/western hybrid out of the park. Immensely aided by an all-star voice cast and the twang-y tunes of Alan Menken and Glenn Slater, this fun-filled romp will have you crooning for your own ‘home where the buffalo roam’.

Full disclosure: I had never seen this film before watching its recent DVD release, and I was thoroughly enchanted by its colorful fantasy, whimsical blarney and eye-popping visual effects, still effective in this age of hobbits and boy wizards. Add in the best bonuses on a single disc release, including ‘how’d they do that?’ featurettes, the full King of the Leprechauns episode from the Disneyland series and (holy smokes!) a brand new interview with Sean Connery, and you have one of the best catalog releases from any studio.

Like Home on the Range, another project that looked iffy on paper, but darned if they didn’t pull it off. A hysterically revisionist take on The Lion King, 1 ½ places sidekicks Timon and Pumbaa front and center, and don’t think but Nathan Lane and Ernie Sabella run with it, with gut-busting results. Also the first video premiere to debut as a two-disc set, filled with even more wackiness such as an interactive safari ride and game show.

< Prev

Next >

Toon Talk: Top Ten of 2004Page 3 of 4

Toon Talk: Top Ten of 2004
Page 3 of 4