Originally Posted By Doobie This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID510760.asp" target="_blank">10/3/06 Toon Talk: Little Mermaid DVD</a>
Originally Posted By hightp I picked up my copy yesterday at Best Buy. It was $15 and you got your choice of a Flounder or Sebastian toy. I haven't watched any of it yet, but he extras sound great, especially the unbuilt ride.
Originally Posted By uruseiranma My one complaint is there was not more of the Sheri Stoner reference videos, nor more of Howard Ashman. That El Capitan footage that was captured had some great moments (though I can't help but wonder if it must have been embarassing fo Sheri to have the footage shown of her cavorting around in that red bathing suit), notably how Glen Keane is explaining the camera move around Sheri, or him as the 'fan-man,' in another scene.
Originally Posted By jaycub So, does the inclusio of the Little Mermaid attraction mean that it is official that we'll never see it in the parks? That bites!
Originally Posted By Tannerman Also no mention of the lackluster audio mix or the inferior video quality when compared to other Platinum Edition releases: <a href="http://www.hometheaterforum.com/htf/showthread.php?t=243216" target="_blank">http://www.hometheaterforum.co m/htf/showthread.php?t=243216</a>
Originally Posted By mawnck Holy son of a motherless goat. At the time I posted post 2, I was going by the reports from the El Capitan screening that the priest had been de-kneed. (I was at the premiere myself, but didn't notice the change.) My new DVD had been purchased (and opened, I'm sorry to say) but not plunked into the DVD player as yet. I had not heard the reports of the mastering. Sure wish I had. Lackluster is not the word for the audio. It's been George Lucas-ed. Digitally processed within an inch of its life. They must've used every plug-in their audio software had, and invented a few new ones in addition. The music is bright and blaring, the voices on the other hand are muffled and muddy by comparison. Then there are the new reverbs and echos that have been slopped all over everything (wait till you hear how distracting they are on "Kiss the Girl" -- BLEHH!). It sounds processed, busy, unnatural, and most importantly, nothing like the soundtrack of the Little Mermaid. Looking for the original mix? Not this time, it ain't there. There's only one English track, and it's the trashed one. The video isn't exactly awful, but Tannerman has nailed it . . . it's noticeably inferior to the Platinum Edition standards. It looks like it's encoded at too low a bitrate, but that can't be it . . . it's a short movie practically by itself on a dual layer disc. Outlines are blurry. Film grain is conspicuous in its almost-absence. And I don't recall the movie being this DARK. It certainly looked fine at the El Capitan, whose DLP digital projection had plenty of film-grain and was razor-sharp. I hate to say this, but you let us down on this one, Kirby. You went on at great length about the extras and never mentioned the poopy transfer. Not that it would've helped me, who rushed right to the store first chance I got, assuming (silly me) that they couldn't possibly mess up Mermaid. But it might've convinced others to give it a rent first, and perhaps convinced the idiots who hired the idiots in charge of this edition to replace them with someone with a clue, and some respect for the source material, before they do any more damage. Rant over, only because I just shut off the DVD player. Hope the extras are worth it, because this "remaster" certainly isn't.
Originally Posted By jdub Crikey--well, I'm glad I didn't get a chance to run out this evening & grab a copy.
Originally Posted By Mickeymouseclub I hope I kept my receipt from the local Disney store. While standing in line the Disney in store projection announced the new edition for Peter Pan release next year. I hope they do this better.
Originally Posted By Mickeylover8383 The Little Mermaid is my favorite Disney movie of all time and I bought the dvd the day it came out. I've watched it three times already and it feels so good to relive those precious magical moments!!!!
Originally Posted By wc All I can say is WOW!!! The virtual ride of the proposed Little Mermaid attraction that never happened is fantastic! Other reviews mention a poorer quality video transfer but that was not the case with my copy. I suspect that corrections have been made so if yours looks poor, simply trade it for another copy. Writing a great review here is a bit odd for me because this film is not my personal favorite Disney film but doggone it the virtual ride is what make this one worth keeping. It gives us the rare behind the scenes look at what happens at W.D.I. Warren
Originally Posted By ToonKirby For those who may be interested, Warner Home Video will release the "Esther Williams Spotlight Collection" on DVD July 17th. Films included: "Bathing Beauty" "Dangerous When Wet" (co-starring Tom & Jerry!) "Easy to Wed" "Neptune's Daughter" "On an Island With You"
