UltimateDisney.com's Reviews - Feedback, 2/05 - 1/06

[daryliscool1]

Great Disneyland review, Luke! I really enjoyed reading it.

[Lucylover1986]

Great Disneyland review Luke. I've only been to Disney World. You mentioned you wonder what the "Under New Management" Tiki Room is like and it really is a fun time. It's so fun to have Iago & Zazu in it. Everyone I talk to likes it better than the original.

[dizfan]

Everyone I talk to hates it. I wouldn't go as far as hating it, but the original is better followed by Tokyo's. Magic Kingdom's is a distant third. It really isn't as bad changing Florida's since it isn't the original, but if they were to drastically change the Tiki Room that Walt made...it would be bad.

[Luke]

Thanks for the encouraging feedback. Here are three new DVD reviews for your reading pleasure:

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit (1968):
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/horse.html

The Santa Clause 2 (2002):
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/thesantaclause2.html

"That's So Raven": Raven's House Party
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/thatssora ... party.html

[Robin Hood]

Great job on all of the new reviews, MichaeLeah, Captain Hook and Aaron.

[AwallaceUNC]

On your way to rent The Brothers Grimm? Wait! Read my review first: http://www.ultimatedisney.com/brothersgrimm.html

-Aaron

[Luke]

I hope that people have been keeping up with reviews, but in case they haven't, since Aaron's post, the following have appeared:

Timeless Tales: Volume Three
Sing Along Songs: You Can Fly! - Peter Pan
Sing Along Songs: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - I Love to Laugh by Renata Joy
The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Stories
Good Morning, Vietnam: Special Edition

[AwallaceUNC]

I haven't yet read the most recent reviews, but I have read a lot that I haven't yet left any feedback for. So instead of sleeping like I should, I think I'll do that now:

WDT: Legendary Heroes - I knew nothing about these serials, so just learning about these little nuggets of Disney entertainment history was fun. It's a shame that Elfego is more interesting than Swamp Fox, because the revolutionary period strikes me as far more interesting, especially when done by Disney (because I love Liberty Square in WDW so much). Either way, I'm interested in giving these each a try and seeing what I think of them. (I need to do that for Davy Crockett first). I agree that the presentation (half of 2 series) makes little sense... hopefully (assuming these are at least as worthwhile as they seem to be from the review), a volume 2 or something like that will come.

Gargoyles Season 2 - This sounds like such an interesting series. From the way you describe it in both your reviews on it, Luke, it seems like a really involving and satisfying serialised storyline (even if season 2 is does have a bit of a dry run), which I find so interesting for an animated series. I've only ever seen one episode, but some pretty cool people recently gave me the first season on DVD so I'm really looking forward to diving in. You've really piqued my interest here, Luke.

Valiant - This sounds less hopeful now than the trailers made it out to be (I was quite looking forward to it, actually), but even from the trailer, I can see where it might miss the mark in the ways you've desribed here. Still, it sounds like it's worth at least checking out, though I'm less inspired to do so now, so who knows when I actually will.

Kronk's New Groove - I've always thought this sequel project bore more potential than most, but was never really excited about it until I read this review. Sounds like a lot of fun and this has me still wanting to revisit the original too. I'm glad the voice cast has returned, though I do wish that Kuzco could have been incorporated a little more.

Disneyland Resort: HHOE - Loomis (or should I say Richard), your first UD review was a great one, and on a terribly interesting subject, because even if Disneyland's DVD isn't that great, the opportunity for you to lend some of your keen and hilarious insight on the park/resort itself and the HHOE celebration made for a great read. And I don't just say this because my name is in the review (though that was a nice surprise ). The Magic Kingdom disc may not have been all it could have, but I was really hoping that the DL disc would come somewhere within that vicinity. If it had, it might've been worth ordering. Sounds like I shouldn't waste my time (that run time is a joke when it covers 2 parks and isn't accompanied by worthwhile extras- come on!). Oh well. Perhaps I'll look into the newest free Disneyland DVD.... I only have the very first one they put out and it was a huge disappointment.

The Horse in the Gray Flannel Suit - Great job, guys... a clear, concise review. I always hear good things about this movie (from one person), but have never seen it and didn't know much about it. As I read through your description, I thought "tired and boring," which is what you end up labeling it. The video presentation is disheartening too.

SAS: You Can Fly! - An unsurprisingly disappointing disc. I would eat these SAS programs up if they were all put together on one or two DVDs at $15-20 in stores, but not in the way they are presented now. They really should put out that Best of the Sherman Bros. CD, though. And you had me at the first sentence of Bonus Features... I did a double-take.

SAS: Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious - I abbreviate SAS but not Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Go figure. Good job on the review, Renata! I thought I remember renting this one a lot, but the 'set list' doesn't sound very familiar. As you say, nostalgia only goes so far and these discs are too high in price and low in quality/value for that.

...And I guess this is the place to comment on the Essential Disney Books. I've already read this a couple of times as I continually take things in and out of my Amazon shopping basket. I love Disney books and this is proving to be a very helpful resource. Great job, Loomis and Luke. I agree with your takes on the books that I am familiar with (those being the Visual Guide, Disney War, and to some extent the Disney Treasures, which I often play with in stores but don't own). I also enjoy guessing which review was written by Luke and which was by Loomis. I think I pegged most of them. Thanks much for writing this and I hope more like it is to come.

And finally, the Disneyland 50th Anniversary Report... I've been looking forward to this so it was great to finally read your reflection on the park, U.D. Luke. What perspective is more interesting than a lifelong Disney fan who runs the web's most popular Disney site but never visited a Disney park during childhood and makes his first visit during the biggest week (well, second biggest week, I guess) in the park's history? I am very happy to see that you connected with some of the finest attractions, like Haunted Mansion, Pirates, Small World, and Jungle Cruise. I know what you mean about Splash Mountain, but I hate to break to you that the knot in your stomach never goes away (at least not for me, but then, I'm a rollercoaster chicken). As someone who knows only Disney World (and only the Iago & Zazu version of Tiki Birds), I only hope to be able to get out there to experience the original park for the first time as you have. Can't wait to see your take on California Adventure and how the whole trip wrapped up, as well as the section on the wonderful Musical History of Disneyland!

-Aaron

[Luke]

Thanks for the constructive and clearly well thought-out feedback, Aaron. It's very much appreciated, as it illustrates that people are reading and comprehending these reviews, something that surely does encourage one to write and critique to the best of their abilities.

[Loomis]

Disneyland Resort: HHOE - Loomis (or should I say Richard), your first UD review was a great one, and on a terribly interesting subject, because even if Disneyland's DVD isn't that great, the opportunity for you to lend some of your keen and hilarious insight on the park/resort itself and the HHOE celebration made for a great read.
[...]
...And I guess this is the place to comment on the Essential Disney Books...Great job, Loomis and Luke. I agree with your takes on the books that I am familiar with (those being the Visual Guide, Disney War, and to some extent the Disney Treasures, which I often play with in stores but don't own). I also enjoy guessing which review was written by Luke and which was by Loomis. I think I pegged most of them.

Thanks for the kind words, Aaron. As you gathered, Disneyland has become a subject very dear ot my heart. I guess I had something resembling a religious experience surrounded by all that Disney I have a few other ideas for reviews and things, none of which I have mentioned to Luke, but I hope my first UD review is not my last. That said, I don't think I was anywhere near as hard on the DVD as I could have been. Still, I enjoyed the subject matter, even if it was dealt with badly.

As for the books, glad you liked it. I had proposed a book review prior to this, but Luke wisely pointed out that UD may have already been taking on more than it could chew. However, put together in that format (Luke's doing) it serves as a fantastic summary of the best publications on the subject out there. As for your guesses as to who wrote what, take a look at which items you said you were "familiar with" and you have about half of mine

[PR Fan]

Luke, after only seeing Benji the Hunted some time when it was on VHS(keep in mind i'm i was born in the 80's, and only 4 years old at the time of the release) I have always thought that The Cougar seen in the beginning of the Movie, was the one seen later on when Benji confronts it on Numerous occassions. I also liked all the chases with the Timber Wolf and Benji leading up to Benji hiding in the bushes while the Huge Bear Came.

[Evil Genie Jafar]

Just a minor distraction here:

PR Fan:

What does that stand for? (your name)

[Pluto Region1]

http://www.ultimatedisney.com/books-2005.html

I've been given full credit for it, but I can really only take half of it. I wrote about 5 of those 10 reviews, so kudos should go to our beloved Site Admin as well.

Well This was one of the few reviews I've read recently and it prompted me to pick up the "Disneyland Now and Forever" book when I was at Dland a week ago. Everytime I read a review here I almost surely end up buying something so after Xmas and the workout my plastic got, I had to give my wallet and review-reading a rest!

I just read Luke's visit to Disneyland review. Well he found and discovered things I didn't even know were there and I've been several times over the years! For example I didn't really know there were really any rides other than the rollercoaster in Mickey's Toon town and now I will be looking for that Roger Rabbit ride. And didn't know there was a Winnie the Pooh ride in Critter Country.... Thanks for a very informative and entertaining review of Disneyland.

[macphoen]

Luke, what happened to the review for "Spin and Marty"? Will you be doing a review soon for "Dead Poets Society"?

[MickeyMousePal]

macphoen Wrote:

Luke, what happened to the review for "Spin and Marty"? Will you be doing a review soon for "Dead Poets Society"?

Hey, man Luke isn't a robot he needs his rest.

[PR Fan]

Just a minor distraction here:

PR Fan:

What does that stand for? (your name)

Power Ranger Fan, My Favorite Disney owned show not cartoons.

[Luke]

PR Fan, I'm almost positive your memories are failing you. The hunter kills the cougar and takes it away. The best I can explain the other cougar that appears throughout is that it's just another cougar that appears to be a more logical adoptive parent than Benji.

Pluto Region 1, thanks for the kind words on the Disneyland report! That was really hard to get done and it doesn't conveniently fit in with reviews and interviews and listings, so I really hoped some would read it and get a kick out of it for what it was. Glad to hear that was at least the case for a select few like yourself. I appreciate the feedback!

macphoen, I'm trying to tackle the January DVDs before I get to the 3 December ones that got lost in the busy, end-of-the-year holiday blitz. Right now, I have A) two more catalogue titles to do for Tuesday and then I can get back to B) the December three, C) the 2005 Year-in-Review, and D) the final two parts of my Disneyland report. But before I can get to B, I expect two more DVDs to show up to push things back further. Fortunately, there are only 4 new DVDs left for me to cover between now and the beginning of February (though <i>Bambi II</i> should arrive early, as DTV sequels typically do). Aaron is tackling <i>Dead Poets Society</i> - it's one of about a dozen DVDs on his plate right now, but I think it's somewhere in the top half of priorities. Don't know if he can give you an estimated publication date, but his guess is better than mine. I'm trying to keep my edit/format turnaround times down and they haven't been too bad on the whole.

And since my last post in this thread, there are four more reviews to enjoy (I gladly gather that some already have, from PR Fan's post):

Benji the Hunted
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/benjithehunted.html

Funny Factory with Mickey
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/funnyfactory1-mickey.html

The Proud Family Movie
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/proudfamilymovie.html

Sing Along Songs: The Bare Necessities - The Jungle Book
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/singalong ... ities.html

[PR Fan]

I never really actually thought about it, The Other Puma it was just an assumption of mine. As for other parts of the film most of my favorite moments are the Animal Chase Scene's, like the big one that the Bear chases the Wolf. Also most if not all Benji vs. The Wolf.

[Luke]

Those are definitely the most exciting and memorable moments of the film, PR Fan. I like Benji's defense against the wolf and how befuddled it leaves the unnamed hunter.

All are encouraged to read my latest review, of <b><i>The Devil and Max Devlin</b></i>:
http://www.ultimatedisney.com/devilandmaxdevlin.html

[Robin Hood]

Great job on the new reviews, everyone.

I can't wait until the 17th.