BOLT (formerly American Dog) Discussion

[Jules]

Not a lot I would imagine. By the time its out over here, you may as well wait and import the US disc. Well done Disney, announcing the US DVD at the same time..

This makes me wonder why studios release films at different times worldwide. I've never understood the system. What's the reasoning behind it? After all , there are films which are released on the same day, globally.

For example, it seems The Princess and the Frog will be released in Europe in 2010. But why not 25th December 2009, just like the US? I don't see how a February/March 2010 slot would make much sense. Then again, it's unlikely the film will be released later than April.

My reasoning may seem naive to some, but it's because of that very reason that I need to know what fuels the decision of variable release dates in different countries.

[magicalwands]

The only reason I can think of is the movie needs to have subtitles added to them before they get released. Thus it takes a bit more time. Also, every country probably has other movies exclusive only to their country (not available in US or UK) so Bolt would want to dodge all those movies and competition.

[Mooky]

It still hasn't been released in Malta?!?

Anyway, I really can't think of a good reason for such a delay between American and European releases. Dubbing/subtitling can't be an issue, it doesn't take that long, usually two weeks ("The Lion King" was dubbed in Croatian for the first time in 2003, and it was still released at the same time as everywhere else - in October). Also, finding a suitable distributor shouldn't be a problem either, because most Hollywood studios (including Disney) have their own offices overseas. And as far as I know, release dates aren't as important in Europe as they are in the US, so it doesn't matter if the movie is released during the holidays or in the spring/summer.

This strategy (if it even is a strategy) is silly. It only hurts the studios and helps pirates make some money off films.

[2099net]

The only reason I can think of is the movie needs to have subtitles added to them before they get released. Thus it takes a bit more time. Also, every country probably has other movies exclusive only to their country (not available in US or UK) so Bolt would want to dodge all those movies and competition.

No, because the UK doesn't need subtitles. Our national language is English too.

The reason is because places like the UK (and Malta) get shipped used, worn prints from the US after some of their theatres stop showing it and they have spare prints.

Ironically, countries which do have subtitles and/or dubs usually get their movies at the same time or before the English speaking overseas countries do.

Of course for most "big" films, the studios splash out more money for more prints, so these films can open in the UK and the US at the same time. Oddly they never to for Disney animated movies, even those from Pixar.

Bolt opens in the UK this Friday.

[Jules]

This strategy (if it even is a strategy) is silly. It only hurts the studios and helps pirates make some money off films.

And keeps the fans waiting! These three months have been torture for me! By the time it gets released there'll have been a two year gap between WDAS' last film and this.

Regarding the pirating, I agree 100%. As I mentioned earlier in this thread, I saw bootleg copies of BOLT already being sold at a marketplace in Valletta, Malta's capital city, of all places.

[Jules]

The reason is because places like the UK (and Malta) get shipped used, worn prints from the US after some of their theatres stop showing it and they have spare prints.

No wonder some films sometimes look terrible! Both Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E were worn when I saw them. They were mostly plagued by these numerous, constant vertical black lines.

Ironically, countries which do have subtitles and/or dubs usually get their movies at the same time or before the English speaking overseas countries do.

Case in point: Italy (for BOLT)

Of course for most "big" films, the studios splash out more money for more prints, so these films can open in the UK and the US at the same time. Oddly they never to for Disney animated movies, even those from Pixar.

Ironically, though it seemed Disney percieved Meet the Robinsons as a "smaller" film than others, it opened in most places on March 30th 2007, including the US, the UK and Malta. I saw it that very day.

Bolt opens in the UK this Friday.

In Digital 3D, no? I'll assume it'll open on the same day here, as most Malta/UK release dates seem to be the same, or at least not too far apart.

[yukitora]

Speaking of warn prints, The Dark Knight was released in Australia a day before the rest of the world, and yet the quality of the print was surprisingly poor. Twice throughout the film the screen just spasmed with horizontal lines. I wonder if they had purposely shipped glitched prints over to our country, because usually, films are delayed atleast a month after the world-wide release.

yukitora wrote:

The film has only grossed 80 million overseas so far which is horrible...

According to Box Office Mojo, its almost at $90 million overseas. It hasn't been released everywhere yet and its already doing better than Meet The Robinsons, which earned $71 million foreign.

That doesn't mean BOLT is doing well... it means MTR did even worse. I mean, for such a large budget, BOLT needs to gross about 300 million to "break even" according to the "double the budget" rule.

[Neal]

WTF?!

I don't understand why this ad is on IMDb...is "BOLT" re-releasing? Or is it for the UK?

[Enchantress]

It's out here (UK) on the 6th and I think other parts of Europe, but I may be wrong. So I think it's referring to that.

[DisneyJedi]

That doesn't mean BOLT is doing well... it means MTR did even worse. I mean, for such a large budget, BOLT needs to gross about 300 million to "break even" according to the "double the budget" rule.

So...... does that mean it'd need 300 million worldwide, or overseas?

[jrboy]

[Jules]

It's out here (UK) on the 6th and I think other parts of Europe, but I may be wrong. So I think it's referring to that.

Unfortunately, I've just found out it'll be released here even later: 18th February.

Is Malta the last country in the world to get BOLT in theatres?

[magicalwands]

All this time I thought the second disc would be full of bonus features...but it is only a Digital Copy!

This makes buying all the more easy. If there is a one-disc Blu-Ray, I am going for that. Otherwise, I am sticking to the one-disc DVD. I thought Bolt was good enough for 2-discs!

[MrIncredible]

All this time I thought the second disc would be full of bonus features...but it is only a Digital Copy!

This makes buying all the more easy. If there is a one-disc Blu-Ray, I am going for that. Otherwise, I am sticking to the one-disc DVD. I thought Bolt was good enough for 2-discs!

So, basically you're willing to go with the DVD just because you don't want the digital copy? Just buy the Blu-ray, and not use the digital copy, you get the better quality version, plus a couple of days early. And all the bonus material on the 2 disc one is on the BD, cause remember, one Blu-ray equals 5 DVDs.

[blackcauldron85]

All this time I thought the second disc would be full of bonus features...but it is only a Digital Copy!

This makes buying all the more easy. If there is a one-disc Blu-Ray, I am going for that. Otherwise, I am sticking to the one-disc DVD. I thought Bolt was good enough for 2-discs!

The standard def. 2-disc DVD just has a digital copy for the 2nd disc? I thought that it had bonus features- I thought that I had read that here...?

[Neal]

The 2nd disc is more bonus features.

1-DISC DVD BONUS FEATURES:

Exclusive Bonus Short
"Super Rhino" – BOLT breakout star Rhino, the hyperactive hamster, gets a chance to headline his very own adventure!

2-DISC DVD BONUS FEATURES

The 2-Disc DVD includes all the 1-Disc DVD Bonus Feature plus:

Music & More
“I Thought I Lost You” Music Video featuring the movie’s stars, Miley Cyrus and John Travolta.

In Session with John Travolta and Miley Cyrus - A behind-the-scenes look at recording Bolt’s signature song “I Thought I Lost You.”

Backstage Disney

A New Breed of Directors: A Filmmakers’ Journey - First-time directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard take fans along as they traverse the road from concept to completion.

Act, Speak! The Voices of Bolt - Join the voice cast in session: John Travolta (Bolt), Miley Cyrus (Penny), Susie Essman (Mittens), James Lipton (Director) and Mark Walton (Rhino).

Creating The World of Bolt – Bolt’s painterly backgrounds have wowed audiences across the globe. The filmmakers explain how they fashioned the unique look of this CG movie.

Deleted Scenes - With optional introductions by directors Chris Williams and Byron Howard.

DisneyFile Digital Copy-Watch your DisneyFile Digital Copy on the go!


BOLT ON BLU-RAY HI-DEF

The Blu-ray Hi-Def edition of BOLT includes all the exciting bonus features from the 1-disc and 2-disc DVDs, plus the standard definition single-disc DVD, plus a DisneyFile Digital Copy, plus these exclusive-to-BD features:

Bolt’s Be-Awesome Mission - In order to defeat the Green-Eyed Man, Bolt has to find his way through three challenging levels in an exciting interactive game. Viewers can join in collecting clues, conquering ninjas and unleashing the power of the Super Bark!

Bolt Art Gallery – Animation enthusiasts can check out the film’s early creative concepts in the Bolt Art Gallery, which contains the building blocks of a big screen blockbuster, from storyboards to character mock-ups. Gallery sections include Visual Development, Character Development, Storyboard Art and Color Script Images.

BD-Live including Movie Chat, Movie Mail, Movie Challenge and Movie Rewards

[blackcauldron85]

Yeah, that's what I had thought. Thanks for confirming, Neal! I will be buying the 2-disc version.

[Neal]

I'm buying the Blu-ray in anticipation of me upgrading some day, but for now only the DVD will be of use.

[magicalwands]

So, basically you're willing to go with the DVD just because you don't want the digital copy? Just buy the Blu-ray, and not use the digital copy, you get the better quality version, plus a couple of days early. And all the bonus material on the 2 disc one is on the BD, cause remember, one Blu-ray equals 5 DVDs.

I've never been so easily persuaded!

I will in fact go for the Blu-Ray. I must think economically for the long run. In the future there WILL be a blu-ray player in my house, so I must save money by not buying both DVD and Blu-Ray. Thanks MrIncredible, you saved the day again!

[MrIncredible]

Plus, from what I've seen, the average price of a Blu-ray movie is about the same as the 2 disc DVD version of the same title.