Comparing Home Releases Cover Arts

[JeanGreyForever]

As usual, I like the French DVD cover the most.

The Japanese VHS/DVD cover feels like the classic Disney VHS art but the characters frankly seem like they belong in a cheap Disney knockoff film rather than in a bonafide Disney animated classic.

I remember that VCD art was the poster art for the film and how the characters were shaded and stylized to almost look CGI, as if that would somehow trick people into watching the film.

[Disney's Divinity]

The only one I like is the VCD (Hong Kong) cover which is similar to the soundtrack cover, except Maggie's face (and maybe the other cows') was changed to something more "happy" for the soundtrack.

[D82]

I always loved Disney but I used to get a hard time at school for still liking it because it was considered babyish and it was looked down upon to come to school wearing characters like that on your T-shirts or on your backpack. So I basically hid away my Disney love until I essentially stopped being a mega-fan, however I continued to collect the toys at McDonalds and mostly watch the films. When The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD came out, that sorta reinspired my love for Disney but really just for TLM since that was always my favorite Disney film. Strangely enough, it was my sophomore year of high school when my love for Disney reignited and since then, I haven't felt ashamed of it.

OK, I see. I also hid my love for Disney at school. Unfortunately, liking "children's stuff" like Disney films becomes unpopular quite early since kids soon want to show how adult they are. It's great that you stopped feeling ashamed of being a Disney fan so early. You're braver than me; it took me much more time to take that step.

So I can understand why you may have avoided some films in theaters because of how others may have made you feel. It's nice that you retained your Disney connection through your little brother getting you those stickers. The world would be so much easier if we were all allowed to love what we love without shame or censure.

You're so right. As for seeing the films in theaters, my siblings are younger than me, so at first I still had the excuse of taking them to see the movies, but later they grew up too and that's when it became more difficult for me. However, it coincided with this period where the films Disney was producing weren't too interesting to me, so it wasn't really a sacrifice to miss them in theaters.

I was never a fan of Treasure Island the book (or film) either so that also didn't inspire in me a love for the Treasure Planet film. And I was way too young to know the directors and how they also made The Little Mermaid and Aladdin but that's neat that you recognized that.

I knew that from the same book where I learned they were making the movie. But I'm quite older than you; it's normal that you weren't aware of that back then.

I am very fond of this film, I will never understand why it gets so much hate.

I'm glad you like it so much. I personally don't hate it. Actually, I don't hate any DAC film. There are things I like in every one of them, even in Chicken Little, though that one's my least favorite. In my opinion, there are many positive things about Home on the Range. I find the premise of cows becoming bounty hunters to save their range quite original, and it's very unusual for Disney to have female protagonists that aren't princesses or young and beautiful. I like the three cows and their personalities. And I think the music is not bad. It's not one of Menken's best works, but the songs are nice and appropriate for the movie. I really like "Little Patch of Heaven" and especially "Will the Sun Ever Shine Again". The reasons why I don't like the movie more are that the humor is a bit too silly for my taste, there are some characters I don't like (like Buck), and there are certain parts I find a bit boring. But I think it's not as bad as some say, and has some very good qualities.

[JeanGreyForever]

I always loved Disney but I used to get a hard time at school for still liking it because it was considered babyish and it was looked down upon to come to school wearing characters like that on your T-shirts or on your backpack. So I basically hid away my Disney love until I essentially stopped being a mega-fan, however I continued to collect the toys at McDonalds and mostly watch the films. When The Little Mermaid Platinum Edition DVD came out, that sorta reinspired my love for Disney but really just for TLM since that was always my favorite Disney film. Strangely enough, it was my sophomore year of high school when my love for Disney reignited and since then, I haven't felt ashamed of it.

OK, I see. I also hid my love for Disney at school. Unfortunately, liking "children's stuff" like Disney films becomes unpopular quite early since kids soon want to show how adult they are. It's great that you stopped feeling ashamed of being a Disney fan so early. You're braver than me; it took me much more time to take that step.

So I can understand why you may have avoided some films in theaters because of how others may have made you feel. It's nice that you retained your Disney connection through your little brother getting you those stickers. The world would be so much easier if we were all allowed to love what we love without shame or censure.

You're so right. As for seeing the films in theaters, my siblings are younger than me, so at first I still had the excuse of taking them to see the movies, but later they grew up too and that's when it became more difficult for me. However, it coincided with this period where the films Disney was producing weren't too interesting to me, so it wasn't really a sacrifice to miss them in theaters.

I was never a fan of Treasure Island the book (or film) either so that also didn't inspire in me a love for the Treasure Planet film. And I was way too young to know the directors and how they also made The Little Mermaid and Aladdin but that's neat that you recognized that.

I knew that from the same book where I learned they were making the movie. But I'm quite older than you; it's normal that you weren't aware of that back then.

Pirates of the Caribbean was one of the few Disney things that were still considered cool or grownup enough to like when I was in school, although that didn't help me much since I wasn't much of a fan back then. And to be fair, even after I did start to love Disney again, it's not like I made it a point to let everyone know that. There were still groups of people I'd be less likely to disclose that information in front of.

Yes, I have younger siblings too so they were a good excuse for more Disney. For me, it was never embarrassing to see the movies (especially since like you said there weren't many good Disney movies in the 2000s and Pixar was the one brand no one was ashamed of watching) but I did use them as an excuse for Disney products and toys since those I definitely was embarrassed to be caught dead with.

Oh that's neat. I'm glad you didn't miss Treasure Planet in theaters then since you like it. To be honest, even if I did watch it back in theaters then I probably wouldn't have liked it the way I do now.

[D82]

Pirates of the Caribbean was one of the few Disney things that were still considered cool or grownup enough to like when I was in school, although that didn't help me much since I wasn't much of a fan back then. And to be fair, even after I did start to love Disney again, it's not like I made it a point to let everyone know that. There were still groups of people I'd be less likely to disclose that information in front of.

That's completely understandable. I don't tell it to everybody either. As for Pirates of the Caribbean, I remember that the posters for the first movie only featured a small Disney logo in one of the lower corners, so I guess they were trying to hide the fact that it was from the company. I suppose in the US everybody knows about the attraction, so they probably couldn't fool many people, but I think here in Spain, for example, there were many who probably didn't know it was from Disney at first.

For me, it was never embarrassing to see the movies (especially since like you said there weren't many good Disney movies in the 2000s and Pixar was the one brand no one was ashamed of watching) but I did use them as an excuse for Disney products and toys since those I definitely was embarrassed to be caught dead with.

You're right that people were not ashamed of Pixar movies, so it was always easier to see them.

[JeanGreyForever]

Pirates of the Caribbean was one of the few Disney things that were still considered cool or grownup enough to like when I was in school, although that didn't help me much since I wasn't much of a fan back then. And to be fair, even after I did start to love Disney again, it's not like I made it a point to let everyone know that. There were still groups of people I'd be less likely to disclose that information in front of.

That's completely understandable. I don't tell it to everybody either. As for Pirates of the Caribbean, I remember that the posters for the first movie only featured a small Disney logo in one of the lower corners, so I guess they were trying to hide the fact that it was from the company. I suppose in the US everybody knows about the attraction, so they probably couldn't fool many people, but I think here in Spain, for example, there were many who probably didn't know it was from Disney at first.

For me, it was never embarrassing to see the movies (especially since like you said there weren't many good Disney movies in the 2000s and Pixar was the one brand no one was ashamed of watching) but I did use them as an excuse for Disney products and toys since those I definitely was embarrassed to be caught dead with.

You're right that people were not ashamed of Pixar movies, so it was always easier to see them.

After the first one was a big success though, Disney didn't even try to hide the association and they went out of their way to promote the films and the POTC franchise in general. It's too bad Elizabeth Swann never got much merchandise because I liked her (and her dresses lol) a lot.

I knew a girl in high school who proudly would claim she never had seen any Disney film in her life. I mentioned The Lion King and Finding Nemo as examples and she said that Finding Nemo doesn't count because that's Pixar lol.

[Jules]

I knew a girl in high school who proudly would claim she never had seen any Disney film in her life.

OMG I pity her! lol

[D82]

After the first one was a big success though, Disney didn't even try to hide the association and they went out of their way to promote the films and the POTC franchise in general.

Yes, it's true. I guess it worked for them, because the sequels were even more successful.

I knew a girl in high school who proudly would claim she never had seen any Disney film in her life. I mentioned The Lion King and Finding Nemo as examples and she said that Finding Nemo doesn't count because that's Pixar lol.

It's curious people make such a difference between the two studios. I guess the Disney Princess line and the merchandise directed at little children is part of why people see Disney as something for small children. I wonder if that has changed a bit lately, now that people also begin to associate Disney with Star Wars, Marvel, etc.

[Farerb]

It boils down to what I said in the Brave thread, that WDAS is a media that is usually perceived as media towards female, because of the princesses and the musicals, and female oriented media usually get contempt from people, Pixar isn't seen that way with all their male protagonists and non musical films.

I also think it depends on when someone was born and on what films they grew up with. I think people in the 1980-1995 range will most likely like WDAS more than Pixar, especially the early Renaissance films, while 1995-2005(?) Range will more likely like Pixar films or to a lesser extent the mid Renaissance - post Renaissance films. It really depends on what someone grew up with and how much they're willing to educate themselves over these films. I guess not too many go into the deeper stuff like us.

[D82]

It boils down to what I said in the Brave thread, that WDAS is a media that is usually perceived as media towards female, because of the princesses and the musicals, and female oriented media usually get contempt from people, Pixar isn't seen that way with all their male protagonists and non musical films.

I also think it depends on when someone was born and on what films they grew up with. I think people in the 1980-1995 range will most likely like WDAS more than Pixar, especially the early Renaissance films, while 1995-2005(?) Range will more likely like Pixar films or to a lesser extent the mid Renaissance - post Renaissance films. It really depends on what someone grew up with and how much they're willing to educate themselves over these films. I guess not too many go into the deeper stuff like us.

These are both good points. I agree with you.

[JeanGreyForever]

It's curious people make such a difference between the two studios. I guess the Disney Princess line and the merchandise directed at little children is part of why people see Disney as something for small children. I wonder if that has changed a bit lately, now that people also begin to associate Disney with Star Wars, Marvel, etc.

That's definitely the case because a lot of people only used to associate Disney with the Disney Princesses as Farerb said.

[Marce82]

Ok... late to the party...

I just couldn't wait to rate these covers, since this is one of my favorite movies... NOT!
I did see it in theaters, and I did rewatch it at some point. It is not a good movie... I dont think I know anyone who likes it. I recently re watched some scenes from it, and dear LORD, the deep canvas crap looks terrible, specially against the very-graphic, stylized character design. And Roseanne as a voice? Really??

Also wanna point out the name for this movie in Spain is Zafarrancho en el Rancho, and I freakin hate it. I don't know if the word means the same in Spain as it does in Latin America, but in the latter, it's a SUPER colloquial word that means "mess" (like things are in disarray, or a lot of problems piled up). Kinda like GROOVE is too colloquial to be in a title... ugh. The name in Latin America was "Vacas Vaqueras" ("Cowboy Cows")

Oddly enough, the covers are pretty good... and like the last few films, mostly recycled posters:

1) Dvd/vhs: Pretty good cover... there is some extreme perspective going on here, but it mostly works. A little hard to buy the horse is in the same cart. But oh well. All characters are well drawn and shaded. Good one.

2) VCD Hong Kong: Recycled poster? Nice layout and rendering... that little chicken in the front bothers me. I'm not rating this one first, cause it's not original art.

3) dvd (France): I suspect a recycled poster. All characters are well drawn, but the lighting is a little too dramatic. And the smaller characters in foreground look like an afterthought... and the scale on them is off. Good cover, not great.

4) VHS/DVD Japan: See my comments for the Tin below. It's the same artwork, but feels less cramped cause we have more background. But now I can see the uneven eyes on the main cow and the horse. How can a studio this major be this sloppy with their artwork?

5) Collectible tin: A lot of minor characters here... and it looks cramped. Worse: the expressions on the characters are generally very awkward. Not a terrible cover... but meh.

6) Heroes Cover (France): like someone else said on here: SLAUGHTERHOUSE. Also... they took the image from the original dvd and drew the bottom half... only... I'm not sure the anatomy makes sense in that bottom half. If she was standing, and not crouching... would those back legs be long enough??

I would say I'm looking forward to the next one... but it's Chicken Little. Ugh.

[D82]

Ok... late to the party...

I just couldn't wait to rate these covers, since this is one of my favorite movies... NOT!

I love your sense of humor.

Also wanna point out the name for this movie in Spain is Zafarrancho en el Rancho, and I freakin hate it. I don't know if the word means the same in Spain as it does in Latin America, but in the latter, it's a SUPER colloquial word that means "mess" (like things are in disarray, or a lot of problems piled up). Kinda like GROOVE is too colloquial to be in a title... ugh. The name in Latin America was "Vacas Vaqueras" ("Cowboy Cows")

I think that's one of the meanings of the word in Spain too, though I'm not completely sure. I don't think it's a very used word here, at least I haven't heard it much. And before it was used in the Spanish title, I had only heard it with the meaning of "spring cleaning" or a military call to action. I think I already said it once, but I much prefer the Latin American title.

1) Dvd/vhs: Pretty good cover... there is some extreme perspective going on here, but it mostly works. A little hard to buy the horse is in the same cart. But oh well. All characters are well drawn and shaded. Good one.

I hadn't noticed that about Buck. You're right, he looks too small/far from the rest to be in the same cart.

[Farerb]

Chicken Little:

DVD/VHS:


Blu-ray:


Collectible Tin:


Zavvi Steelbook:


Heroes Cover (UK):


Heroes Cover (France):


Blu-ray (Australia):


DVD (Hong Kong):

[Disney Duster]

Chicken Sh*ttle whoops I mean Chicken Little:

1. DVD/VHS -the best composition, but I think it's from a poster.
2. DVD (Hong Kong) - Kinda epic, actually
3. Collectible Tin
4. Zavvi Steelbook
5. Blu-ray (Australia)
6. Heroes Cover (UK)
7. Heroes Cover (France)
8. Blu-ray - Ugh!!! Those ugly silver arcs that messed up so many Disney Blu-rays!!!

[JeanGreyForever]

Ugh, honestly none of them. The covers are so generic and ill-defined imo which I suppose suits the film they're depicting lol.

[D82]

I don't like any of the covers for Chicken Little much either. Here's my ranking:

1. DVD (Hong Kong): This artwork was also used for the video game cover. I agree with Disney Duster that it's kind of epic.

2. Blu-ray (Australia): Similar to the previous one, though not as good. This was the cover in Spain too, but I don't have it because I bought the film in a combo pack with Meet the Robinsons.

3. Collectible Tin

4. Zavvi Steelbook: A bit too simple for my taste, but I like how it hints at the movie's alien theme with that spotlight on Chicken Little, which looks like the rays aliens use to abduct people.

5. Heroes Cover (UK)

6. DVD/VHS: I never liked this cover because Chicken Little doesn't appear like that in the movie. It seems the artwork comes from a parody poster which references Men in Black 2. You can see it here, which by the way, is a great website about posters for Disney films. It's in French, though.

7. Heroes Cover (France): I prefer the background of the UK Heroes cover on this occasion.

8. Blu-ray: Like Disney Duster, I don't like those silver arcs Disney used at first on the Blu-ray covers.

[Farerb]

Meet the Robinsons:

DVD:


Blu-ray:


Japanese DVD:


Heroes Cover:


More covers provided by D82:

Zavvi Steelbook:


French Heroes Slipcover:


UK Blu-ray (Preliminary Cover):

[Disney Duster]

Meet the Robinsons:

1. DVD - Best composition by far.
2. Heroes Cover - At least next least bad composition.
3. Japanese DVD - So busy and messy, but it's better than the darn silver arc.
4. Blu-ray - Ugh, that silver arc!

I'm glad me and D82 agreed about the epicness and silver arcs on the last ones!

[Marce82]

And so, we have come to what is possibly the lowest point of Disney Animation... Chicken Little.

Sorry I'm late posting my ranking. Not much to choose from, but here it goes. Sorry if I don't remember the names of the characters, this is movie I would rather forget:

1) Collectible Tin: Not bad. I like how they play with perspective, having the main character way closer to the "camera". I don't like the facial expression on him... it doesn't look like a mischievous wink, it looks like a stroke. I like the inclusion of the spaceship, I remember that was a big deal to the plot.

2) dvd/vhs/bluray: Sorry, but the blu ray is pretty much the same cover, with a couple of additions. It's an ok cover. Nothing bad about it. I don't like the pose they picked for Chicken Little... he looks completely androgynous. He very well could be female in this image, which we know he is not. Was there a scene where he is interviewed by the media?

3) Blu ray (Australia): it's an ok composition, though the lighting doesn't always make sense. I like the subtlety of the space invasion elements. My biggest gripe: Chicken Little's "Dreamworks" expression. So overused... so pointless.

4) Heroes (UK): bland. And it TRULY shows what awful character design this movie has. It looks disturbing in the eyes... and teeth (omg, they predated the whole Zonic debacle by over 10 years!).

Yaaaaay.... on to Meet the Robinsons.... (grunt)