Pinocchio Blu-ray/DVD Preview

[Simba3]

Thanks for the awesome preview, lighthousemike! Can't wait to pick this one up.

[JDCB1986]

That's a good thing. Those locking cases piss me off - All they're good for is breaking off. And with HD-DVD and Blu-Ray it makes hard to even use, honestly. For DVD I can break them off... but meh. Thank God Disney stopped the locking cases.

The 3-disc cases never had locking tabs


Also you can fold back the tab, so that you don't have to unlock it each time

I think he may have been referring to the 2 Disc WALL•E Bluray, which does have the locking sides, but is also in a slimmer case.

[CornyCollins]

I just pre-ordered the Blu-Ray from the Disney Store tonight - came with the pin they are offering online. Can't wait to pick it up.

[Wonderlicious]

Hey, I hope that this isn't too much in asking, but could we have some screencaps from the bonus features and the second disc menus? If so, thanks.

[Rudy Matt]

I know its taken from a camera, but that seems to blast apart all the fretting and teeth-gnashing over the "pink candle" and "too bright" nonsense.

Based on the screen grabs, there was nothing to worry about. Looks amazing. Couldn't have happened to a better film.

[DarthPrime]

I haven't heard about Sony wanting to raise the price of the PS3, but I have heard about dropping Blu-ray. Don't think it would work now, although it might have been a good strategy for them 2 years ago. A Blu-ray less PS3 would fit into the other rumor going around saying that Sony wants to distribute new games over PSN. For $39.99 you can download the game, or for $59.99 you can still buy the disc version.

In my opinion Sony guaranteed a Blu-ray victory over HD DVD with the PS3, but hurt their gaming division in the process. It will be interesting to see if the PS3 can turn around before the PS4 is released. I'm sure a PS3 price drop in 2009 will result in a 360 price drop as well keeping the sales similar.

[zackisthewalrus]

Back to the original topic of this thread (before it went all Blu-ray vs. DVD). Thanks for the pictures and opinions, lighthousemike. They were very helpful, and I'm definitely picking this up!!

[Rudy Matt]

The raves are coming in...this writer claims Pinocchio is "even more of a stunner" than Sleeping Beauty.

http://somecamerunning.typepad.com/some ... cchio.html

[ajmrowland]

The raves are coming in...this writer claims Pinocchio is "even more of a stunner" than Sleeping Beauty.

http://somecamerunning.typepad.com/some ... cchio.html

It's amusing how someone thought that Snow White was produced in 1939.

But a nice article. I did post a brief magazine review already, but it's nice to see something of full size.

[steven132]

Heres a really short review
http://www.videobusiness.com/article/CA6640615.html

[Rudy Matt]

Small review from the news editor of Blu-Ray.com:


"Well, I watched the Blu-ray last night, and let me say, it looks amazing (as if there was any doubt Disney would pull off another great release). I watch it using the 7.1 soundtrack (vice the original mono soundtrack), and the fidelity was amazing. Its been so long since I've seen the film (I skipped all the Disney DVD releases), that it was almost like watching it for the first time.

Not that anyone really need convincing, but yeah, if you haven't preordered it yet, do it now."

[CJ]

Thanks for the preview, lighthousemike.

To get this thread back to the original topic, I have split the Blu-Ray vs Dvd posts into this thread.

[Rudy Matt]

Not particularly well-written, but another new review praising the video...
http://www.ultimateavmag.com/movierevie ... pinocchio/

Pinocchio: 70th Anniversay
By David Vaughn • March, 2009 Woodcarver Geppetto (voiced by Christian Rub) wishes upon a star for his latest creation, Pinocchio (Dickie Jones), to become a real boy. The Blue Fairy (Evelyn Venable) descends from the stars while he sleeps and makes his wish come true—with a catch. Pinocchio must prove himself to be of good character before he can become a real boy. Since he doesn't how to achieve this goal, the Blue Fairy assigns Jiminy Cricket (Cliff Edwards) to act as his conscience.
Of all the classic Disney cartoons, Pinocchio is my favorite because of its beautiful animation, entertaining story, and catchy songs. Making its theatrical debut in 1940, the pressure was on Walt Disney to deliver another hit after the wildly successful Snow White. But the timing of World War II dampened the public's enthusiasm, and the studio wasn't able to release it in Europe. Critically, it was a hit and went on to capture two Academy Awards, including best song for "When You Wish Upon a Star," and its subsequent re-releases over the years, both theatrically and on home video, have more than made back its initial investment.

Brilliantly restored with a sparkling new 1080p AVC encode, Pinocchio has never looked better. The rich cinematography highlights every minute detail in the animation, and the radiant colors jump off the screen, especially the bold primary colors. Black levels are inky, providing rich depth and definition, and gradients of color are free from any banding.

The remastered DTS-HD Master Audio 7.1 soundtrack is decent, but nowhere near as impactful as the restored video footage. Dialog is clear and rooted in the center, but the stereo spread across the front is quite limited, with the exception of the musical numbers, which open up the soundstage. Dynamics are severely limited with anemic bass, and the rear speakers are virtually silent with only the slightest bit of ambience and score bleed. The source is only a mono soundtrack to begin with, so expectations must be tempered to enjoy what is otherwise a quality recording.

This is the second Platinum title released by Disney, and just like last year's Sleeping Beauty, the studio hasn't skimped on bonus features. In addition to the two Blu-ray discs, the set includes a DVD copy of the movie, a family-friendly feature that lets the kids enjoy the film on a standard DVD player—whether in the car or bedroom—and enjoy pristine audio and video when watching with Mom and Dad in the home theater. Hopefully, more studios will catch on to this marketing tactic and make it the industry standard. It would certainly help move the Blu-ray format into the mainstream a lot faster.

Disc one includes the movie itself and some bonus features, such as an audio commentary by Leonard Maltin, Eric Goldberg, and J.B. Kaufman. Other features include "Pinocchio's Matter of Facts," which teaches viewers fun facts about the film while watching, and "Disney Song Selection," a sing-along feature that displays the lyrics onscreen for some Karaoke fun! Rounding things out on disc one is a trivia game for up to four players that turned out to be a fun experience for our family. The disc is also BD-Live-enabled with movie chat, movie mail, and a trivia challenge game with others across the Internet. In addition, users can accumulate Disney Movie Reward points by participating in the fun.

Disc two includes an excellent hour-long documentary, "No Strings Attached: The Making of Pinocchio," with an in-depth look at transforming Carlo Collaodi's popular book into a classic animated film. Other supplements include two deleted scenes, an alternate ending, a look at Walt Disney's small production room at the Disney studio, some live-action reference footage, Pinocchio art galleries, deleted songs, and six puzzles for the kids (or parents) to assemble onscreen that, once complete, form an image from the film.

Disney has delivered another phenomenal Platinum release of one of its classics on Blu-ray. The video is drop-dead gorgeous, and the abundant supplements are informative, educational, and contain enough games and activities to keep the kids busy for hours. Highly recommended!

Release Date: March 10, 2009
Studio: Walt Disney Studios

Movie: 9/10
Picture: 10/10
Sound: 7/10


Review System

Source
Panasonic DMP-BD55


Display
JVC DLA-RS1 projector
Stewart FireHawk screen (76.5" wide, 16:9)

Electronics
Onkyo Pro PR-SC885 pre/pro
Anthem PVA-7 Amplifier
Belkin PF60 power conditioner

Speakers
M&K S-150s (L, C, R)
M&K SS-150s (LS, RS, SBL, SBR)
SVS PC-Ultra subwoofer

Cables
Monoprice HDMI cables (source to pre/pro)
Best Deal analog-audio cables
PureLink HDC Fiber Optic HDMI Cable System (15 meters) from pre/pro to projector


Acoustical treatments from GIK Acoustics

[Barty]

1080p Pinocchio screenshots:

http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_1.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_2.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_3.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_4.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_5.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_6.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_7.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_8.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_9.png
http://www.thehdcrowd.com/screenshots/pinocchio_10.png

[PatrickvD]

I picked up the Blu-Ray today.

Personally, I love the restoration. It's very similair to the Sleeping Beauty and Snow White restorations. And I mean in terms of making the colors brighter and the overall picture less dark.

I did not feel like it had been severely altered whatsoever, like Cinderella or Beauty and the Beast. And to a lesser extend Peter Pan. I still felt the picture had the warmth it always had.

The set was labelled "3-disc edition". Wich is the LAZIEST thing Disney's ever done. Basically, it's two Blu-ray discs and a single dvd. The dvd however, says "disc 1"..... in other words, it's basically half of the dvd set. They didn't even bother to give the dvd's that come with the blu-ray set a different label.

lazy.

[musicradio77]

I only got 5 more days until it comes out this Tuesday and I am definitely going to get it. I have been waiting for over 30 years after I saw this film for the very first time in a theater.

[ajmrowland]

I've also been waiting since childhood. Those last few days are the worst.

[CampbellzSoup]

I'm really excited to see it...

I haven't seen ti since I was like 5/6 and remember nothing

same goes with all the other platinums I end up loving them then...hopefully Pinoc is no different

[ajmrowland]

Y'know the movie, Teacher's Pet(that one Disney flop that was based off a cartoon series with Nathan Lane) actually spoofs parts of this film, as well as some other classic Disney moments. I must add that it's actually a really good movie that got less than it deserved.

[Blu_Gamma]

Small review from the news editor of Blu-Ray.com:


"Well, I watched the Blu-ray last night, and let me say, it looks amazing (as if there was any doubt Disney would pull off another great release). I watch it using the 7.1 soundtrack (vice the original mono soundtrack), and the fidelity was amazing. Its been so long since I've seen the film (I skipped all the Disney DVD releases), that it was almost like watching it for the first time.

Not that anyone really need convincing, but yeah, if you haven't preordered it yet, do it now."

Meh, I pay no attention to anything coming out of that site considering they are no more than shills for the BDA. Every high profile release gets high marks from them, but, why not? They do HAVE a prominent employee for Disney on their "staff" writing reviews for them under an alias -- and I speak from inside knowledge, lest anyone should doubt me; I can back up my claims.

It's not surprising for a site that would pull a fast one on their members by trying to fool people into thinking one of their "new" insiders from The Digital Bits (Jeff Kleist) isn't the same person as one of their old moderators (WickyWoo) who "left" due to "professional conflicts" either. They have no integrity, scruples, or editorial standards at that place. They also periodically insult the members of UD, so, if I were you folks, I'd stay away.

As for the "editor's" mini-review, I'd say they are feeling the crunch because they were too damn slow in getting their own review up and now they want to try to capture some of that momentum and point people to their Amazon links by urging them to preorder -- puhleezuh.