Fantasia: 2-Movie Collection - 11/30/10 (Part 2)

[Raphdude]

- While both films look great in HD, I was surprised that Fantasia 2000 looked more subdued than its predecessor. What I mean is that the colors, while lush, aren't as vibrant and crisp as you'd expect from such a recent animated film; even the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray had richer colors (ahem... don't wanna delve into that territory...). It is likely that this transfer comes directly from the original CAPS files without any tinkering like they did with Beauty. Also, I noticed 2 or 3 slight instances of white flickering (possibly dust or film damage) during the live-action interstitial with James Earl Jones. It's very minor, but it's there.

I own the British Blu-ray and noticed the same on the Fantasia 2000 transfer. There are even slight digital artifacts (+haloing?). A fact that could underline your directly-from-CAPS theory is that the film starts and ends with the blue castle logo!

Fantasia 2000 ALWAYS had the blue castle logo at the beginning and end, including the original IMAX release. That said, I also had the impression that F2000 did not get the meticulous restoration that the original Fantasia did. In any case, the film has never looked better, and with the original Fantasia's bit rate taking up at least 80% of the entire 50GB blu-ray disc, I am more than happy with the the results.

[Old Fish Tale]

Did they use the restored 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' segment from 'Fantasia' in 'Fantasia 2000'?

[Scamander]

Yes, they did.

[DisneyChris]

Thanks so much for sharing, Chris! The Nutcracker Suite is one of the segments I am looking forward to most, so I'm glad to hear that it looks so great. Your pictures are excellent too; I was curious as to how the 4 discs would be packaged.

Have you had a chance to look at the Destino short yet? It'd be interesting to see your comments on that as well.

You're welcome! The Sorcerer's Apprentice and the Pastoral Symphony look particularly amazing too.

About Destino, just as 2099net wrote earlier the transfer is from a film source instead of a digital one, i.e. there are print flaws, flickering etc. It's not a serious issue though; it still looks much better than the video posted on YouTube before. But since it's not a particularly colorful film, don't expect to be blown away.

A fact that could underline your directly-from-CAPS theory is that the film starts and ends with the blue castle logo!

Fantasia 2000 ALWAYS had the blue castle logo at the beginning and end, including the original IMAX release.

I think Will just meant the film wasn't altered for this release. Anyway, it's nice that Fantasia 2000 retained its blue castle logo for the BD release, unlike Beauty and the Beast...

[Will Barks]

I think Will just meant the film wasn't altered for this release. Anyway, it's nice that Fantasia 2000 retained its blue castle logo for the BD release, unlike Beauty and the Beast...

That's exactly what I meant. I really expected the new logo and was surprised to see the good old blue one.

[jsz1002]

Thanks so much for sharing, Chris! The Nutcracker Suite is one of the segments I am looking forward to most, so I'm glad to hear that it looks so great. Your pictures are excellent too; I was curious as to how the 4 discs would be packaged.

Have you had a chance to look at the Destino short yet? It'd be interesting to see your comments on that as well.

You're welcome! The Sorcerer's Apprentice and the Pastoral Symphony look particularly amazing too.

About Destino, just as 2099net wrote earlier the transfer is from a film source instead of a digital one, i.e. there are print flaws, flickering etc. It's not a serious issue though; it still looks much better than the video posted on YouTube before. But since it's not a particularly colorful film, don't expect to be blown away.

Fantasia 2000 ALWAYS had the blue castle logo at the beginning and end, including the original IMAX release.

I think Will just meant the film wasn't altered for this release. Anyway, it's nice that Fantasia 2000 retained its blue castle logo for the BD release, unlike Beauty and the Beast...

Isn't Destino in HD?

[DisneyChris]

Isn't Destino in HD?

Yes, but HD only refers to picture resolution (e.g. 720p/1080p); it doesn't necessarily mean the picture is free from defects.

[MJW]

Does anyone think that if Disney is to release Fantasia and Fantasia 2000 as separate titles in the US once they vault the "2 Movie Collection," there will be anything included in the separate releases that we WON'T GET in the 2 movie pack? I'm talking about an extra disc or something, with content that wasn't in the double feature release.

I really don't want to have to buy this title twice, and I don't mind having them packaged together. I am planning on getting this during the short period it is available, but worry that next year they'll release the two movies separately with some enticing added feature that is going to force us all to buy it again (like the Fantasia World shorts or better behind-the-scenes features?).

[jsz1002]

Isn't Destino in HD?

Yes, but HD only refers to picture resolution (e.g. 720p/1080p); it doesn't necessarily mean the picture is free from defects.

I know what HD is...i was worried about not being "blown away" by the picture quality. It's sad Disney couldn't at least find a clean print of Destino.

[Kyle]

That's exactly what I meant. I really expected the new logo and was surprised to see the good old blue one.

Color me shocked as well. Just don't expect to see this as common place. Surely this was an anomaly.

[Raphdude]

That's exactly what I meant. I really expected the new logo and was surprised to see the good old blue one.

Color me shocked as well. Just don't expect to see this as common place. Surely this was an anomaly.

I think that Disney is replacing the original logos with the 3-D castle one on releases that have had a full theatrical re-release, such as TS1 and TS2 when they were re-issued in 3D fall of last year and for the BotB
sing-along release fall of this year.

I too was glad the blue castle remained on F2000, but what really surprised (and pleased) me the most is that Disney did not even put their brief 3D castle logo at the end of the original Fantasia, as they did with SB, SW, and Pinocchio. I am so pleased with the transfers on blu-ray of these two films, especially the original!

[Raphdude]

Did they use the restored 'The Sorcerer's Apprentice' segment from 'Fantasia' in 'Fantasia 2000'?

I haven't gotten out my old F2000 dvd yet, but from what I remember, the Sorcerer's Apprentice segment from the old F2000 dvd was matted, while the new one is in 1:33 Full Frame.

[Escapay]

I just checked my Fantasia 2000 DVD, "The Sorcerer's Apprentice" is pillarboxed within the 1.66:1 frame, not matted.

albert

[DisneyChris]

I know what HD is...i was worried about not being "blown away" by the picture quality. It's sad Disney couldn't at least find a clean print of Destino.

Oh I see. Well, that was just my two cents, some people may still be satisfied with it, and maybe I was too spoiled by the high quality of the Fantasia transfer.

[Lorddh]

Just got the US version today! Unlike international versions, both Fantasias are housed in the same (thick) Blu-ray case. Personally I don't mind that, and IMO the US artwork looks prettier.

Some thoughts about the disc content:

- The new transfer of Fantasia is, as previously reported, fantastic. I think the Blu-ray actually improves the movie as a whole, since Fantasia relies heavily on the visuals to create an impact on the viewer. I literally dropped my jaw when I saw the "winter fairies" sequence in The Nutcracker Suite. I've seen this scene many times since I was like 2 years old, but never with such a stunning level of detail and clarity. The blues are deep and rich... unbelievably gorgeous.

- Interestingly, the Sunflower issue is mentioned by Brian Sibley during the new commentary for Fantasia. This is a direct transcript:

Starting in 1960, Sunflower was excised from the film, at first with crude cuts noticeable in the musical score, but later, as here, by cropping the shots. Whilst there is no excusing it, we can recognize that this regrettable characterization was very much of its time. And it's better that we acknowledge the history, but do so perhaps without perpetuating the image, which can anyway be found in scholarly animation books and collections.

- While both films look great in HD, I was surprised that Fantasia 2000 looked more subdued than its predecessor. What I mean is that the colors, while lush, aren't as vibrant and crisp as you'd expect from such a recent animated film; even the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray had richer colors (ahem... don't wanna delve into that territory...). It is likely that this transfer comes directly from the original CAPS files without any tinkering like they did with Beauty. Also, I noticed 2 or 3 slight instances of white flickering (possibly dust or film damage) during the live-action interstitial with James Earl Jones. It's very minor, but it's there.

- It's a pity that they didn't create more new bonus features for this release, but I'm still very happy that they did the transfers right. Besides, there's Disney Virtual Vault for those who are BD-Live capable. I'm currently unable to access it, either because the US server isn't ready or because I'm not in the US, but fortunately I have the original Fantasia Anthology set which I purchased in 2006. I remember back then I posted on this forum asking whether I should get the Anthology, and thanks to all who encouraged me cos I'd definitely regret it if I hadn't.

Pics:

Must be so awesome to live in China. Since you make everything for us, and obviously people sell it there illegally, you get it faster and cheaper than we do.

[yamiiguy]

Just got the US version today! Unlike international versions, both Fantasias are housed in the same (thick) Blu-ray case. Personally I don't mind that, and IMO the US artwork looks prettier.

Some thoughts about the disc content:

- The new transfer of Fantasia is, as previously reported, fantastic. I think the Blu-ray actually improves the movie as a whole, since Fantasia relies heavily on the visuals to create an impact on the viewer. I literally dropped my jaw when I saw the "winter fairies" sequence in The Nutcracker Suite. I've seen this scene many times since I was like 2 years old, but never with such a stunning level of detail and clarity. The blues are deep and rich... unbelievably gorgeous.

- Interestingly, the Sunflower issue is mentioned by Brian Sibley during the new commentary for Fantasia. This is a direct transcript: - While both films look great in HD, I was surprised that Fantasia 2000 looked more subdued than its predecessor. What I mean is that the colors, while lush, aren't as vibrant and crisp as you'd expect from such a recent animated film; even the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray had richer colors (ahem... don't wanna delve into that territory...). It is likely that this transfer comes directly from the original CAPS files without any tinkering like they did with Beauty. Also, I noticed 2 or 3 slight instances of white flickering (possibly dust or film damage) during the live-action interstitial with James Earl Jones. It's very minor, but it's there.

- It's a pity that they didn't create more new bonus features for this release, but I'm still very happy that they did the transfers right. Besides, there's Disney Virtual Vault for those who are BD-Live capable. I'm currently unable to access it, either because the US server isn't ready or because I'm not in the US, but fortunately I have the original Fantasia Anthology set which I purchased in 2006. I remember back then I posted on this forum asking whether I should get the Anthology, and thanks to all who encouraged me cos I'd definitely regret it if I hadn't.

Pics:

Must be so awesome to live in China. Since you make everything for us, and obviously people sell it there illegally, you get it faster and cheaper than we do.

I know. The lack of human rights puts me off though. I'd be put to the firing squad for saying something anti-communist

[Lorddh]

I know. The lack of human rights puts me off though. I'd be put to the firing squad for saying something anti-communist

Haha, well when it comes to that and the quality of life then yes, it's sad. But hopefully as they progress they'll change their ways.

[hoojib127]

I wish there was an ironpack coming out for this.

I wish they were releasing both movies separately so I could just get "Fantasia."

[ajmrowland]

no embarassment needed. i myself want both, but fantasia more.

as for destino, the print flaws might add to the retro look.

[DisneyChris]

Must be so awesome to live in China. Since you make everything for us, and obviously people sell it there illegally, you get it faster and cheaper than we do.

I know. The lack of human rights puts me off though. I'd be put to the firing squad for saying something anti-communist

Haha, well when it comes to that and the quality of life then yes, it's sad. But hopefully as they progress they'll change their ways.

This is kinda off-topic, but anyway... a lot of people in Hong Kong, myself included, often distinguish ourselves from the mainland Chinese. Hong Kong is the freest region in China cos we don't suffer from press and internet censorship. Other regions are not so lucky. The central government has no respect for human rights, has zero tolerance towards criticism and keeps imprisoning innocent people. The flourishing economy makes them even more arrogant. It's just terrible.

As for the "selling it illegally" thing, well, parallel imports are technically illegal, but many Blu-ray/DVD fanatics around the world import stuff all the time, and Hong Kong happens to be a heaven for foreign imports. I bought this (and previously the Beauty and the Beast Blu-ray) at a normal shopping mall, not some dirty vendor on the street. And it's faster but not necessarily cheaper: I got it for US$41.9 which is actually more expensive than getting it from Amazon.

And while it's kinda awesome to live here, it's too busy and crowded. I miss the tranquil days when I lived in Australia.