Country Bears R4 (Aus) - Widescreen & 16:9 Enhanced

[Loomis]

Well I'm sure this is good news for some of you out there.
2099, I know you were asking about this earlier.
According to review site, Country Bears in Australia has a Widescreen 1.85:1 (16x9 enhanced) video transfer .
You can read all about it here:
http://www.michaeldvd.com.au/Reviews/Re ... sp?ID=3036

Looks like it is rental only at this stage. However, I can assume that the retail release will be the same, and perhaps the UK retail version will be the same as well?

Anyways, hope this is of interest to someone.

[Porce]

Country Bears? Was that the theme park-based flop from last summer? If so, I remember advertisements for that. Very stupid for Disney to release it edited-only.

[2099net]

I LOVE THE COUNTRY BEARS

Sorry but it had to be said! Especially as everyone else seems to be so negative about the film.

I've got the R1 release, but will pick up the UK release too if it is indeed widescreen.

I'm sure I've got a deserving friend who would like my current copy!

[Loomis]

I'll really have to check it out.

With such a good DVD here in Oz, I guess there is no reason not to give it a rent.

And if it is truly The Blues Brothers meets Spinal Tap (as the review I posted claims) then it is most certainly up my alley.

I have traditionally given recent Disney live action a miss, but some of them actually look kinda neat.

Still I have to question how many rides at Disneyland are goign to be made into films. First Country Bears, then 'Pirates...' an pretty soon Haunted Mansion.

What is next? 'TeaCups: The Movie'

[Choco Bear]

What is next? 'TeaCups: The Movie'

what about its a small world after all the movie!

[2099net]

I'll really have to check it out.

With such a good DVD here in Oz, I guess there is no reason not to give it a rent.

And if it is truly The Blues Brothers meets Spinal Tap (as the review I posted claims) then it is most certainly up my alley.

Well, there's not so much of Spinal Tap in there, and of course being a 'family' film (although mainly aimed at children) there's nothing like the edge of the Blues Brothers.

But the film does follow the Blues Brothers very closely - infact in some respects it could be classed as a remake (or as they are so fond of saying these days - a "reimagining"!).

In both films the band has to be reformed to put on a concert to save an old building.

In both films there is a musical number in a diner.

In both films on of the band members appears to have gone upmarket, but hasn't.

In both films the band are chased by the police (although obviously not to Blues Brothers excess in The Country Bears).

It really is more than a coincidence I'm sure. But the plot is dumb anyhow... just let yourself be transported to a world where bears talk, and a group of bears became one of the biggest bands of all time. I find the whole 'feel' of the film to be quite magical.

Basically how much you enjoy The Country Bears depends upon how much you like the music, if you like Henson CreatureShop animatronics and if you like seeing Christopher Walken overact wildly! (Walken plays humour very well. It's a shame he's only just beginning to get the chance to show this in his movies).

For us older viewers, the "The Country Bears: Out of the Woods" mockumentary is perhaps more entertaining with more adult centred humour and satire. I would say this is where some of the Spinal Tap comparisons come up.

[Loomis]

...and if you like seeing Christopher Walken overact wildly! (Walken plays humour very well. It's a shame he's only just beginning to get the chance to show this in his movies).

Ok, that settles it.
I'm off to the video store! Soon.
Christopher Walken: I love. The way. He talks. Always fun to see him do comedy (like his SNL stuff).
And I kinda remember the Bears fondly from my trip to the Land of Dis (many moons ago).
So, add another one to the list...