Beauty and the Beast: Diamond Edition (October 5th!)

[miniroll32]

This release just about sums up the nature, or inherent problem with Disney's modern products. With CAPS films like this, they're suggesting an oh so wonderful 'restored movie', despite the fact that if it was true to the ideals of this Diamond Edition series [that being the feature should be representative of its release], then such a DIGITAL master would never need to be "restored". The object is a digital medium - these 0's and 1's aren't going to miraculously become gooey and combustable like old 35mm Nitrate film. As has been done for previous releases, just place the film on the disc and move on. Sadly, its quite easy for them to fool the consumers into believing that yes, this film is better because its been 'fully restored'.

More like, "We've tinkered around and made the film look different, so it has to be better. Buy it now."

Their idea of restoring is 'cleaning' the animation, changing the colour palette and then adding new animation. Correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't these alterations? Hmmm...

Sure enough - Blu-Ray is a lossless medium and the enhancements to colour timing are there to see, but the differences between DVD and Blu-Ray presentation in terms of the palette (when both discs have come from the same master) are no where near in the same league as the 2002/3 DVD release and the up-coming Blu-Ray release. They've toyed around with the film and its almost laughable.

Not only this, but since Beauty and The Beast is cringingly the company's love-child, it gets a treatment that places all previous releases pretty much in the dust. Were talking about a quantity of extra-features that would surpasses what were all used to, and despite this obviously being a wonderful platform, it can only make one wonder how on Earth a film like Fantasia, one of the most important films ever, only gets 2 documentaries that are 6 minutes and 15 minutes respectively. Why should Beauty and The Beast get this messiah-like treatment just because its a family favorite?

Fact of the matter - all that counts is profit. Change the film enough and people will think its suddenly better because it looks different. Who knows? In 10 years time they might make the palette darker and suggest thats the restored-re-mastered master.

[miniroll32]

I know I might seem a little stupid and that you all are tired who hearing the same questions over and over again but I can't find the answer I need so...

The 3-disc version that's coming on November 1st (UK) is 2 Blu-ray + 1 DVD or 2 DVD + 1 Blu-ray?

Thanks!

2 x Blu-Ray, 1 x DVD.

[CampbellzSoup]

So are the color warriors buying this film or not?

I think that it's wonderful that we get some alterations like the new songs, and new animation, but as always the original presentation should be left as it is...

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they hire the directors/same animations to reanimate/colore the platinum?

The Blu Ray looks fine, and I'm concerned abotu the film more than the color of it...I haven't seen this film in awhile so hopefully it's great

[miniroll32]

I'll always buy this film because it is indeed 'a classic', and have always found it enjoyable. Though can you compare the animation/artwork with older releases? Never.

And I believe that if Disney are going to alter the film in any way to its original theatrical screening, then at least say so on the cover and don't dupe potential buyers into thinking this was how the film was meant to be seen.

[rodis]

So are the color warriors buying this film or not?

Two days ago, it was a must-have for me because I was genuinely sure it would be different this time around. But after seeing those captures, I might just wait a while. I'll buy it eventually, I know that.

I envy those who used to watch the VHS for years and still don't care about the colors. Personally, I remember how as a kid I would appreciate the darkness and richness of the color palette and watching it was always a special experience thanks to that. Nothing like the other classics. Now I see all the reds and oranges and I just turn it off.

[CampbellzSoup]

I'll also agree that Human Again does seem a bit much since there is another musical number so close next to it .. however it works well instead of morning report...what an aweful song!

I get myself soo excited with every Disney release lol!

[Wonderlicious]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't they hire the directors/same animations to reanimate/colore the platinum?

As far as I'm aware, the directors and producers (bar Howard Ashman for obvious reasons) did return to oversee the making of the Special Edition, and I think that all if not most of the main animators returned to draw their original characters. And of course, the original principal voices came back.

[miniroll32]

So are the color warriors buying this film or not?

I envy those who used to watch the VHS for years and still don't care about the colors. Personally, I remember how as a kid I would appreciate the darkness and richness of the color palette and watching it was always a special experience thanks to that. Nothing like the other classics. Now I see all the reds and oranges and I just turn it off.

I still have my original VHS in great condition, but don't forget that yes - although the colours are much darker (and I mean really - its incredible), all Disney films used to be like this on VHS because the dynamic range is smaller, and because they're analogue. Even my 1999 Toy Story VHS looks terribly dark compared the DVD releases.

Same with LaserDisc - digital format, but the output is analogue.

[MJW]

I just got home from Walmart, and on my way out of the store I saw a poster for the Beauty and the Beast release. At the top of the poster it also said something along the lines of "with free movie voucher to see Tangled" for the Blu-ray/DVD combo packs (I don't remember the exact words but those are pretty close).

Has anyone else seen this or heard anything about it? It'd be great if it truly was a free movie voucher, to cover the cost of a ticket![/b]

[Disney's Divinity]

If that's true, I'm so getting this. Kill two birds with one stone. It would be nice if a voucher came with the Blu-Ray only release (I'm only buying Blu from now on).

Btw, are there supposed to be any coupons for this release? I'm sure they've been mentioned before, but they're probably scattered all over the place.

[UmbrellaFish]

I just got home from Walmart, and on my way out of the store I saw a poster for the Beauty and the Beast release. At the top of the poster it also said something along the lines of "with free movie voucher to see Tangled" for the Blu-ray/DVD combo packs (I don't remember the exact words but those are pretty close).

Has anyone else seen this or heard anything about it? It'd be great if it truly was a free movie voucher, to cover the cost of a ticket![/b]

I hope it comes with Amazon orders...

[Scarred4life]

I just got home from Walmart, and on my way out of the store I saw a poster for the Beauty and the Beast release. At the top of the poster it also said something along the lines of "with free movie voucher to see Tangled" for the Blu-ray/DVD combo packs (I don't remember the exact words but those are pretty close).

Has anyone else seen this or heard anything about it? It'd be great if it truly was a free movie voucher, to cover the cost of a ticket![/b]

Hmm, this sounds familiar to the 'movie bucks' that were included with some of the DVDs I bought in March, that were for Alice In Wonderland. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that it is just a discount of some sort, and not a completely free movie ticket. But I could be wrong.

[Disneykid]

HighDefDiscNews has posted a pretty basic review of the set, but the real reason I'm posting this is because it contains uncompressed screencaps directly from the Blu-ray:

http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=52521#more-52521

It looks absolutely stunning. I'm not going to get into the neverending color timing debate except to say the rich colors in those caps are a big improvement over the Platinum's pastel palette. That coupled with the pristine image are more than enough to satisfy me, especially now that we know the theatrical version is in fact the REAL theatrical version (original Cogsworth animation, Beast stutter, etc.). Kudos, Disney.

[funloops]

Hot damn that looks good, I can't wait to get it!

Just for fun: http://comparescreenshots.slicx.com/comparison/81540

[Coolmanio]

They are gorgeous. I am in awe, and am anticipating this set and eventually buying a Blu-Ray player........

[Escapay]

Now where might one go to happen upon this?

Not sure if you have PM abilities or not. If so, then the owner of an infected chicken may be able to help you.

So are the color warriors buying this film or not?

Dammit, Soups. Just when I updated my WIST, you give something WISTable. Oh well, it'll have to wait until October to use that.

It looks absolutely stunning. I'm not going to get into the neverending color timing debate except to say the rich colors in those caps are a big improvement over the Platinum's pastel palette. That coupled with the pristine image are more than enough to satisfy me

Ditto.

I can't wait for to see what Marky says. Sure to be worth sitting down and gobbling on a box of Milk Buds.

albert

[Matt]

HighDefDiscNews has posted a pretty basic review of the set, but the real reason I'm posting this is because it contains uncompressed screencaps directly from the Blu-ray:

http://www.highdefdiscnews.com/?p=52521#more-52521

It looks absolutely stunning. I'm not going to get into the neverending color timing debate except to say the rich colors in those caps are a big improvement over the Platinum's pastel palette. That coupled with the pristine image are more than enough to satisfy me, especially now that we know the theatrical version is in fact the REAL theatrical version (original Cogsworth animation, Beast stutter, etc.). Kudos, Disney.

OMG! I almost feel outa my chair just now lol! I so cannot wait for this Blu-ray, TWO MORE WEEKS!
This will be in my hands!!!!!!

Belle is still a red head in the Ballroom scene though!
That is my only pet peeve but I will have to live with it! Could have been worse, they could have made her blonde lol!!!

[DisneyJedi]

Belle is still a red head in the Ballroom scene though!
That is my only pet peeve but I will have to live with it! Could have been worse, they could have made her blonde lol!!!

Really? I thought her hair looked light brown instead.

[Kyle]

It really irks me how many people claim she's now a red head. Technically she might have more red than before, but that doesn't make her a red head. Stop exaggerating.

[Matt]

Belle is still a red head in the Ballroom scene though!
That is my only pet peeve but I will have to live with it! Could have been worse, they could have made her blonde lol!!!

Really? I thought her hair looked light brown instead.

compared to the original colors it's more of the redish to me.
Well, it isn't as bad as the platinum edition, but if you see in the oringinal colors, she is a more dark to medium browm.

It really irks me how many people claim she's now a red head. Technically she might have more red than before, but that doesn't make her a red head. Stop exaggerating.

I am not exaggerating, I am stating how I feel, and to me, she looks lighter then what her natural color is. I know some parts in the film it is due to the lighting of the scene, but with this scene, her hair was darker in the original VHS.
Like I said before, it is better though from what it was in the platinum edition colors!