Originally Posted By AutoPost This topic is for Discussion of: <a href="http://www.LaughingPlace.com/News-ID513390.asp" target="_blank"><b>LP Column: 12/9/10 Toon Talk: Fantasia and Fantasia 2000</b></a> Kirby reviews the new Blu-Ray and DVD release of <i>Fantasia</i> and <i>Fantasia 2000</i>.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros I finally got around to buying/watching this recently, and I must say that the restoration of the original Fantasia is absolutely breathtaking. There are many parts where I'm seeing things that I never knew were there (for example, apparently there are a ton of pteradactyls on the cliff in Rite of Spring, I only ever saw one or two). There are things that look very different due to color correction (presumably), but I can't count the number of times that I didn't even recognize things from numerous prior viewings. The bonus features, however, are quite underwhelming. I couldn't find the several audio commentaries that you mentioned (though I will go look for them), but the two that I've listened to (Roy and company for F2K, random British guy reading a script for the original) are among the dullest I've ever heard. The other bonus features (including Destino, IMO) are nice, but hardly anything to write home about. I've regretted not getting the 3 disk set released in 2000 since the moment it went into the vault, and even after this amazingly-restored version. And Kirby, do you really prefer F2K to the original? While I do like several of the segments, I don't think that the overall combination is nearly as great as the original. Several segments just never worked for me (including the two centerpieces, Pines of Rome and Firebird), and many of the others just feel too short (Carnival of the Animals, Tin Soldier, Pomp and Circumstance). I love Rhapsody in Blue, but it just feels out of place when compared to the rest. I did learn in the commentary that it was created over many years (Pines was produced in '93?!?), which makes it a little more interesting from a technical standpoint, but it just seems to lack the majesty and grandeur of the original to me.
Originally Posted By FerretAfros Ok, I figured out how to get to the additional commentaries (use the up and down arrows on the commentary screen). That would explain why that page is labeled as commentaries (plural), but only shows one upon initial inspection. And a random side note, I think it's interesting that at least one of the audio commentaries acknowledges the absence of Sunflower. No, it doesn't show anything, but I am slightly surprised that it is included on such a mainstream outlet, though in a place that most people won't find it, except people who already know of her existence. They did do a good job cleaning up the cropped shots to eliminate the extra graininess, so you really can't tell which shots have been edited.
