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

[Disney Duster]

The colors of the film I watched, not just when I was a kid, but later when I was older and I still watched the VHS, gave me feelings about the film. Like Belle, I wanted to be taken there and love the place and feel the enchantment. The Beast and Belle were serious people who liked and surrcounded themselves with such serious colors.

The film also felt more real with the other colors. The colors helped me more with the believability and getting into the film, they helped me with believing the characters and what was going on.

Even though it may be superficial, I'm sure the colors helped many other people, even the Academy that nominated it, take the film more seriously.

And Netty and Scaps, if they keep changing their art, how can we possibly love it the same, when it's not the same? If some artist made something we fell in love with, and then changes it, or worse, destroys it, along with our emotions, we're just supposed to take that, and not demand what they made before at least being available? No, no that's not right in the least.

HERE is how we know they are messing with the colors:

The Platinum DVD had different colors from this new Blu-ray. End of discussion. They changed the colors.

The new Godfather edition is different from the older version too, was that changed too? No, the colors were finally restored to what they were supposed to be.

Why wasn't it that way the first time on the Platinum. Please tell me the reason because if you don't it's obvious there isn't any reason it should've looked different.

No, they already had a source that was not a film print or anything suffering from the things you mentioned - the original CAPS source would have the original colors, they would just have to use that for the straight to DVD bonus features.

A direct digital transfer? (The kind of thing that wasn't possible for the '92 releases, that they did for the very first time with the DVD release of A Bug's Life?) Why would they do that for the special features and NOT do it for the feature presentation, then? Can you answer that without a variation on the "because they wanted to screw us" theme?[/b]
That is exactly what I first asked: "Why do they look different when they shouldn't and you claim they didn't change the colors?" And the answer is there is no good reason for them to have wanted to change the colors, but they did. Maybe the wanted to make it brighter because they just felt like it.

But the point is the colors changed on two transfers that were supposed to be direct digital. There's the proof.

[Matt]

Disney Movies, Official Youtube Channel posted this up today.
This is cute lol.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0KiLymhVKr8

[Lorddh]

I'm really hoping for good deals on the first day of this release with my 10$ dollar coupon!

[Escapay]

If you've got a MovieStop near you, trade in 4 movies (worth $1.50 or more) in order to get $16 off the Blu-Ray. The guy at my MovieStop said that the price will likely be $26 and some change, and they'll accept the $10 coupon. So you end up just paying the change and tax! Best deal I've found.

albert

[Lorddh]

If you've got a MovieStop near you, trade in 4 movies (worth $1.50 or more) in order to get $16 off the Blu-Ray. The guy at my MovieStop said that the price will likely be $26 and some change, and they'll accept the $10 coupon. So you end up just paying the change and tax! Best deal I've found.

albert

That sounds good, but I don't know nor think I've ever seen a MovieStop. I'm hoping for Bestbuy, Target, or Walmart to have a good deal or something. though good deal or not I'm still getting the movie, lol.

[pick]

In case anyone's curious, here's a video from the Brazilian DVD Edition. The quality's not the best, but you get the idea. Today was the release date for the dvd, and tomorrow's the BD date. Can't wait for tomorrow! =)

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/obNtw2XZetI?fs ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/obNtw2XZetI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

[Matt]

In case anyone's curious, here's a video from the Brazilian DVD Edition. The quality's not the best, but you get the idea. Today was the release date for the dvd, and tomorrow's the BD date. Can't wait for tomorrow! =)

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/obNtw2XZetI?fs ... ram><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/obNtw2XZetI?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

What bonus features are on the DVD?

[AwallaceUNC]

The review is almost done! This is by far the most material I've ever consumed in reviewing a title, and I'm pretty sure it's the longest review I've written to date.

Thanks for your patience, everyone!

-Aaron

[geniuswalt]

Anyone knows how long after snow white's diamond release last year Amazon offered the $10 coupon code?
I hope they do the same for the Beauty and the Beast release this year since I don't live in the US.

[MJW]

Anyone knows how long after snow white's diamond release last year Amazon offered the $10 coupon code?

Amazon is offering a $10 off promo code? How do you get it? Is it just when you pre-order it with another eligibable title?

[2099net]

And Netty and Scaps, if they keep changing their art, how can we possibly love it the same, when it's not the same? If some artist made something we fell in love with, and then changes it, or worse, destroys it, along with our emotions, we're just supposed to take that, and not demand what they made before at least being available? No, no that's not right in the least.

Why not? As I pointed out before, plenty of other "art" has been revised by the creators. Just because you're not personally aware of original doesn't mean it hasn't happened. And works that have been revised are universally praised by critics; "Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus" and "The Hobbit" are all but impossible to obtain in their original versions; various artists such as Watteau, Velázquez and Renoir painted over their orginal compositions to make revisions; and other artists redid various paintings in an effort to improve them (such as Van Gogh). It's really not a new phenomena - artists and creators should have the right to alter their work.

All that's different is that these days, people are more aware of any changes thanks to mass exposure.

I've seen people say that the "new" colours are nothing more than a cheap way of attracting modern children, or that the new colours are "executive" driven. But I feel this is wrong. When the original creators have obviously been so involved with the IMAX revisions, I feel its objectionable and ignorant of us to assume that they had no input to the Platinum or Diamond editions.

As regards to some of the colour changes, they work. Others probably don't. I know many object to the whole thing, but the only scene that doesn't work for me is the "step into the light" bit. I honestly can't say that anything else bothers me, and I certainly see some scenes are better.

Art has to keep changing - either by works inspired by other works or by the original creators in an effort to "improve" their work. Because that's the only way it would evolve.

You may or may not agree with their "improvements". Just as you may or may not agree that other progressive evolutions are better or not - you may feel as Picasso's art works became more stylistic and modern that it became worse and worse, but other people feel it became better and better.

But you should never be able to make demands of art. Because, ironically, that's when art does[/] become commercial rather than artistic. Something many people are accusing the DVD BatBs as being.

[rexcrk]

Stupid question: but is the combo pack just the 2-disc blu-ray and a DVD with no digital copy?

[tightlacedboots]

Here's the thing with altering art. Don't sell something to me and tell me it's the "original", "it's back", the "theatrical release is included" etc. if it's an altered version. Fine, do touch ups on water marks or something, but changing the actual colors? That's different. Just like, I'm not gonna buy my son a Buzz Lightyear doll that looks funny or the voice doesn't sound anything like Tim Allen because it'll piss me off (not sure if he's old enough to notice but he might). It's like giving someone a knock off brand name item and saying, "what?" when they look at you funny for trying to pass it off as the real deal.

I haven't seen ANY of the DVDs, but I've been reading about this stuff and trying to figure out what to buy if anything. At this point, I'm thinking my best bet is an ebay VHS copy LOL Seriously, my husband and son have never seen the movie and I don't want their viewing to be some sort of pastel or neon happy version. Plus, I read somewhere (I think it was an Amazon review of the Platnium version) that in some cases they altered the darkness and the Beast lurking in the shadows was no longer "lurking in the shadows" because they lightened it up too much. This is a problem to me, to alter with the mood or tendency of the characters.

It shouldn't be hard to understand that a dark scary castle should remain a dark scary castle lol

to anyone asking about the Beauty and the Beast Christmas movie... we have it on VHS. I actually was shocked at how dark it was. I mean, the whole villain storyline seemed a lot more dark to me. And the colors were dark as well. It might scare some kids to be honest, but I don't know.

Ok I might find the answer myself but just in case... does anyone know if the original music is in the movie? Because I have seen this song on the Disney channel play a lot with a young woman singing a song that is supposed to be included in the movie. I want to know if this girl's version is replacing the original or if it's just some sort of song tacked onto the special features? I did not like it as much! So this and the colors is really discouraging me from buying... seriously, we took it out of our shopping cart online which offered a good pre-sale price because I wanted to get more feedback so I wouldn't be disappointed.

[geniuswalt]

Anyone knows how long after snow white's diamond release last year Amazon offered the $10 coupon code?

Amazon is offering a $10 off promo code? How do you get it? Is it just when you pre-order it with another eligibable title?

I didn't actually say that...

[DisneyJedi]

Here's the thing with altering art. Don't sell something to me and tell me it's the "original", "it's back", the "theatrical release is included" etc. if it's an altered version. Fine, do touch ups on water marks or something, but changing the actual colors? That's different. Just like, I'm not gonna buy my son a Buzz Lightyear doll that looks funny or the voice doesn't sound anything like Tim Allen because it'll piss me off (not sure if he's old enough to notice but he might). It's like giving someone a knock off brand name item and saying, "what?" when they look at you funny for trying to pass it off as the real deal.

I haven't seen ANY of the DVDs, but I've been reading about this stuff and trying to figure out what to buy if anything. At this point, I'm thinking my best bet is an ebay VHS copy LOL Seriously, my husband and son have never seen the movie and I don't want their viewing to be some sort of pastel or neon happy version. Plus, I read somewhere (I think it was an Amazon review of the Platnium version) that in some cases they altered the darkness and the Beast lurking in the shadows was no longer "lurking in the shadows" because they lightened it up too much. This is a problem to me, to alter with the mood or tendency of the characters.

It shouldn't be hard to understand that a dark scary castle should remain a dark scary castle lol

to anyone asking about the Beauty and the Beast Christmas movie... we have it on VHS. I actually was shocked at how dark it was. I mean, the whole villain storyline seemed a lot more dark to me. And the colors were dark as well. It might scare some kids to be honest, but I don't know.

Ok I might find the answer myself but just in case... does anyone know if the original music is in the movie? Because I have seen this song on the Disney channel play a lot with a young woman singing a song that is supposed to be included in the movie. I want to know if this girl's version is replacing the original or if it's just some sort of song tacked onto the special features? I did not like it as much! So this and the colors is really discouraging me from buying... seriously, we took it out of our shopping cart online which offered a good pre-sale price because I wanted to get more feedback so I wouldn't be disappointed.

You know, you really shouldn't let the "color problem" deteriorate you from upgrading to the Blu-Ray. I mean, the colors are- from what I've seen based on screenshots and YouTube clips- more natural than the 2002 Platinum Edition's. Plus, you get more picture in the Blu than the DVD or VHS.

[jpanimation]

When the original creators have obviously been so involved with the IMAX revisions, I feel its objectionable and ignorant of us to assume that they had no input to the Platinum or Diamond editions.

Human Again - as seen in the IMAX trailers, Platinum Edition trailers, and publicity stills - originally had the same color pallet as the LaserDisc version. If they [the directors] were also involved with the DVD presentation, then their artistic vision for the film changed from the time they worked on those IMAX revisions to the point of the DVDs release.

But you should never be able to make demands of art. Because, ironically, that's when art does become commercial rather than artistic. Something many people are accusing the DVD BatBs as being.

I'm accusing it of being disingenuous to the original theatrical presentation while under the guise of being the most faithful, not whether or not it represents the directors' ever-changing artistic vision for the film. Let them change their art but be upfront about it.

I haven't seen ANY of the DVDs, but I've been reading about this stuff and trying to figure out what to buy if anything. At this point, I'm thinking my best bet is an ebay VHS copy LOL Seriously, my husband and son have never seen the movie and I don't want their viewing to be some sort of pastel or neon happy version.

To help you make your decision, here is some past comparisons I've made:

http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 180#525180
This one is between the multiple releases this movie has had, including the LaserDisc and Diamond Edition.

http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 413#510413
This one is between promotional stills and the Platinum Edition. I think the comparison between Gaston's tavern says it all.

I think what you choose is important, as that will be the version that forever represents the film for your family. The lighting/coloring alterations change the dramatic intensity of many scenes and it will have a different impact on them. Hope the comparisons help you with your decision.

[Disney Duster]

Netty:

Alright, but there is still the people that knew the art before it was changed and loved it, and still the question of how can they feel the same way about it when it is no longer the same way it was?

If people liked the original books and paintings more, they can keep their books and prints, and shows them to and pass them onto the people they want to see the originals.

But with a movie, it will be utterly wrecked after enough viewings. We cannot do the same thing.


Yes, artists have the right to alter their work. But they also should realize that they need to, it is the right thing, or the better thing, the kinder thing (as kind as they teach you should be, such as the Beast's kindness), is to also make the original available to those who want it. As an artist myself, I would do this unless the original pained me that greatly or I felt is was so wrong and bad for people, which, we do not know is the case, but if it is, they should let us know, and...c'mon, no, it's not the case with this movie.

And art does not need to evolve. The Mona Lisa does not need to change, and it should not be changed. Art only needs to evolve if there are people who want it to evolve, and they evolve it themselves to make it their own. Art just does evolve. But we gotta keep those old works, too.

Here's the thing, there's at least one right we certainly do have. And that is the right to outcry, to voice our feelings, and yes, demand the original. We have the right to demand anything, even if we don't have the right to get it. But if only we could find some way to actually get those original artists' attentions, and have them actually answer us, instead of silence behind a smiling mouse.

[tightlacedboots]

To help you make your decision, here is some past comparisons I've made:

http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 180#525180
This one is between the multiple releases this movie has had, including the LaserDisc and Diamond Edition.

http://www.dvdizzy.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 413#510413
This one is between promotional stills and the Platinum Edition. I think the comparison between Gaston's tavern says it all.

I think what you choose is important, as that will be the version that forever represents the film for your family. The lighting/coloring alterations change the dramatic intensity of many scenes and it will have a different impact on them. Hope the comparisons help you with your decision.

Wow, thanks!

So let me get this straight... in the second link, but first set of photos (ie Belle with the sheep, Belle in the grass, etc.) what is the top photo of each from? You said promotional stills... but do those stills look like any dvd/blue ray version out there? That's the coloring I prefer... but I'm worried that they are just advertising that the second of each set is what is on the blu ray Diamond disc. I may be confused...

[Pasta67]

If you've got a MovieStop near you, trade in 4 movies (worth $1.50 or more) in order to get $16 off the Blu-Ray. The guy at my MovieStop said that the price will likely be $26 and some change, and they'll accept the $10 coupon. So you end up just paying the change and tax! Best deal I've found.

Thanks for the heads up about this. I went to my MovieStop today to see if they were aware of the same deal, and they confirmed it for me, so that's probably what I'll do. I think that'll be the cheapest I've ever paid for a release.

Only catch, though, is that if you're going to trade in your four movies, you apparently need to do it before Tuesday. I was originally going to just bring my trade-in movies on release day and take care of everything then, but according to the staff member I talked to, it has to be done before. So I guess I'll take a trip up there Sunday.

Very much looking forward to the review, Aaron! I think I started drooling a tad when you talked about how long it was going to be!

[Escapay]

If you've got a MovieStop near you, trade in 4 movies (worth $1.50 or more) in order to get $16 off the Blu-Ray. The guy at my MovieStop said that the price will likely be $26 and some change, and they'll accept the $10 coupon. So you end up just paying the change and tax! Best deal I've found.

Thanks for the heads up about this. I went to my MovieStop today to see if they were aware of the same deal, and they confirmed it for me, so that's probably what I'll do. I think that'll be the cheapest I've ever paid for a release.

OMGLEE, PASTA67 HAS (if only briefly for this one instance) RETURNED!!!!

HOORAY!



And yes, I think this is the cheapest I've ever paid for a (new) release as well.

Only catch, though, is that if you're going to trade in your four movies, you apparently need to do it before Tuesday. I was originally going to just bring my trade-in movies on release day and take care of everything then, but according to the staff member I talked to, it has to be done before. So I guess I'll take a trip up there Sunday.

That's usually how it is for any of the "free new release with 4 trade-ins" promotions, though sometimes if the MovieStop people know you well enough, they'll let it slide. When I went there in August to offload a bunch of DVDs, I noticed that Kick-Ass had come out that day, so I asked if I could use some of my trade-ins to that, and they allowed it. They even gave me a free Kick-Ass shirt (which only should've gone to those who pre-ordered it) since I'm a regular there.

Very much looking forward to the review, Aaron! I think I started drooling a tad when you talked about how long it was going to be!

Me too.

ETA:

Blu-Ray Review from DVDmg.com

Colin Jacobson often copies/pastes his thoughts on the film from his older reviews, and does the same here (adjusting a few bits due to Up getting a Best Picture nomination). Unfortunately, he does the same for the A/V section, simply updating references to DVD into references to Blu-Ray, as well as removing portions that were DVD-specific. Make that one more to add to the list of Blu-Ray reviews that gloss over the technical presentation and simply give an "It's Blu-Ray, it looks terrific" type of summary.

His descriptions of the special features include complete listings of who's interviewed (something I always like), but I didn't read his brief thoughts on the supplements, as I only skimmed to see the names. It's quite a varied bunch of the usual suspects, but I noticed some names that didn't show up, despite having been interviewed in 2002. Some are understandable (Michael Eisner, Dick Cook, the late Jerry Orbach & Roy E. Disney), but the omission of Brenda Chapman and Chris Sanders seems damn near inexcusable as they were as vital to the story team as Roger Allers and Linda Woolverton were.

I wait with baited breath for Aaron's review. It will surely be the best of all the reviews out there.

albert