#8 - THE LITTLE MERMAID: ARIEL�S BEGINNING

Tinker Bell wasn�t the only Disney leading lady to score in the home video market this year, as this prequel tale starring everyone�s favorite redhead from under the sea was a charming addition to the Mermaid saga.

 

 

#9 - HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR

HSM mania peeked with this big screen finale to the Wild Cat trilogy, which saw Troy, Gabriella and the rest of the East High gang finally graduate � and finally put on an actual high school musical.

Everyone�s favorite girl-next-door was the star of this Mouse Club serial favorite, which found her -- gasp! -- accused of stealing jewelry! Corny, yes, but I�ll take Miss Funicello over Miley Cyrus any day.

This original Turner Classic Movie documentary (which aired on TCM in December) provided nothing new to die hard Disney fans like myself, but it was sure a nostalgic walk down memory lane nonetheless.

Special Thanks:

To all the artists and filmmakers who have contributed to Disney films and video this year, with special mentions to:

Jodi Benson, Corbin Bleu, Ben Burtt, Zac Efron, Susie Essman, Sally Field, Peter Gabriel, Lucas "Sassy" Grabeel, Jerry Herman, Vanessa Hudgens, Leonard Maltin, Loreena McKennitt, Joel McNeeley, Thomas Newman, Kenny Ortega, Alyson Reed, Andrew Stanton, Ashley Tisdale, Mark �Rhino� Walton and Samuel E. Wright.

Coming in 2009*:

In theaters:

• Plug your ears, now it�s their turn: Jonas Brothers: The 3-D Concert Experience (February 17).
• Join The Rock in a Race to Witch Mountain (March 13).
• Oh wait, we haven�t heard the last from her either: Hannah Montana: The Movie (April 10).
• Disney Nature debuts with earth on (naturally) Earth Day (April 22).
• Can Pixar hit a perfect ten? We�ll know when their tenth feature, Up, premieres May 29.
• And you thought talking Chihuahuas was pushing it, how about G-Force�s squad of high tech guinea pigs? (July 24).
• More 3-D fun with a special re-release of Toy Story (October 2).
• Jim Carrey takes on Charles Dickens in Disney�s A Christmas Carol, directed by Robert Zemeckis (November 6).
• John Travolta and Robin Williams are Old Dogs and � I have nothing more to say (November 25).
• And last, but certainly not least, is the triumphant return of traditional Disney animation with The Princess and the Frog (December 25).

On DVD:

• Mary Poppins (January 27) and Oliver & Company (February 3) get anniversary re-releases, while the Lilo & Stitch 2-discer finally gets released (March 24).
• High School Musical 3: Senior Year makes its first of what will probably be many DVD appearances February 17, followed by the dog stars of Beverly Hills Chihuahua (March 3) and Bolt (March).
• The two that started it all, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (October) and Pinocchio (March 10), get the Platinum treatment.
• The Walt Disney Treasures will return, and rumor has it that the classic TV series Zorro will be amongst the next batch.
• Also due: Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure, plus most of the theatrical releases listed above.

*All release dates subject to change.

So be sure to toon in to Toon Talk in 2009!

Discuss It

• Discuss this review on the LaughingPlace.com Discussion Boards

Related Links

• List of all Toon Talk Reviews and Articles

-- Posted December 31, 2008
-- Kirby C. Holt
-- Logos by William C. Searcy, Magic Bear Graphics