The Little Mermaid: Platinum Edition DVD Press Release

[dvdjunkie]

Disneykid wrote:

I'm annoyed that 3/4 of the bonus material was created in widescreen (and obviously from a high-definition master) yet were not anamorphic. My widescreen TV was a little zealous with the overscan and names and foreheads were slightly cut off when I cropped the black bars.

Need to find out what you do with your television when you watch movies like this. What do you mean that you cut off foreheads and names when you overscan? Do you actually use the zoom feature on your DVD? That is so wrong. Why not watch the film the way it was intended and not mess with it and that way you won't have to worry about cutting off foreheads and missing names.

I watched this film and the extras tonight fully and completely on my Blu-Ray DVD player and I will tell you now that there is no denying that this is one of the best of the Disney animated features to come our way in a long time. And I don't use any 'zoom' or creative ways of 'fixing' the picture because I have a front projection system and the picture looked beautiful and you couldn't tell whether it was anamorphic or non-anamorphic. I also watched the special features on Disc 2 on our regular 56" HDTV Monitor upstairs after I read Disneykids complaint and I could not find an explanation except that he tried to 'fix' it by using his 'zoom' feature which is not supposed to be used on anything except if you want a closer look at something.

[goofystitch]

This is an incredible Platinum in my opinion. Very well done. I got goosebumps by the end of the making of. I LOVE the virtual ride. Too bad it will never see the light of day, but so creative. They used the water effect in the Pooh ride at WDW. I liked the restoration alot. And the 5.1 mix was good. I couldn't tell a difference between it and the LI mix. Not much of the rear speakers were used (at least not noticeably).

BTW: I got my copy from Best Buy with the pins. It is missing it's DVD Insider and has no snaps, so a positive and a negative. I'm hoping when my brothers copy arrives from Disney Store, it has the Insider and I can sneak it. I'll also use his code. lol. Also, Best Buy decided not to award those willing to pay an extra $15 for the pins with plushes, so I was denied my Flounder upon checkout. If I really wanted it, I would write a letter.

[Escapay]

Why not watch the film the way it was intended and not mess with it and that way you won't have to worry about cutting off foreheads and missing names.

Because it's ridiculous of Disney to have filmed the stuff in widescreen, then present it as non-anamorphic. If it were 1999 when Disney was *known* to do that, it would be normal. Not acceptable, but normal for Disney. But come on, it's 2006 for cryin' out loud. Disney, despite their undying love for fullscreen, is basically slapping its widescreen-loving consumers in the face by offering widescreen, but in a non-anamorphic fashion. And people with widescreen televisions (such as Disneykid and yourself) know that non-anamorphic widescreen often comes with lower resolution when "zoomed" or "stretched" on their tvs. They get pissed because something that *should* be the norm is being given substandard treatment. Hell, I don't even have a widescreen TV yet, and I'm pissed because I know that when I get one, anything I have that's non-anamorphic I'll have to watch windowboxed because the DVD producer decided not to enhance it for 16:9 presentations. I know that the feature is the important thing, but when the technology is readily available to offer a film or a bonus feature in 16:9, it should be used.

And I don't use any 'zoom' or creative ways of 'fixing' the picture because I have a front projection system and the picture looked beautiful and you couldn't tell whether it was anamorphic or non-anamorphic.

Not all of us have a front projection system, so whether or not a video is anamorphic or non-anamorphic is something of a big deal to us.

I also watched the special features on Disc 2 on our regular 56" HDTV Monitor upstairs after I read Disneykids complaint and I could not find an explanation except that he tried to 'fix' it by using his 'zoom' feature which is not supposed to be used on anything except if you want a closer look at something.

Disneykid, like many others, merely use zoom on non-anamorphic video simply to try to fix what shouldn't be broken in the first place. With widescreen greatly becoming the norm in television shows and in family rooms, it's *ridiculous* for companies to continue to release non-anamorphic releases, even for the smallest of bonus features. It's ridiculous that Wal-Mart sells widescreen televisions, and still strongly support pan & scan DVDs, even presenting pan & scan DVDs on their display widescreen televisions...stretched to fill out the screen! Anamorphic enhancement isn't a perk or bonus feature for DVDs anymore, it's a standard. It's ridiculous of Disney to only go halfway.

Escapay

[darth_deetoo]

It's pleasing to see the mood to this release changing on the forum now. I was getting quite depressed last week, having already got my discs (and enjoyed them immensely) to find that everyone was condemning the discs without actually having seen them on the basis of a couple of extremely unfair, exaggerated and negative reviews.

[Josh]

Lol, we all know the rumors of The Little Mermaid's original release. (The you-know-what on the priest, the you-know-what on the theatrical poster) But I think I might have found another 'oops' in the film. I think it was around the time code of 33: 24, it's when King Triton emerges from the Shadows into Ariels Grotto, and she realises her father has found her hide-out and has seen the statue of Prince Eric.
Now I know when a lot of people get nervous they bite their bottom lip, but biting the bottom lip is also the same movement for pronouncing the letter 'f'. Ariel does this after her father see's her hidden room of human treasures, and I'm sure if most teenagers parents saw something they didn't want them to see, they would say the 'F' word.
It looks like she says it, she probably isn't though, it's just like TLK and Aladdin, they were accidents. Maybe it's just me, you be the judge, here it is.

Ariel 'possibly' saying a word that begins with 'F'.

[my chicken is infected]

Here's the review I typed up for Amazon.com

Like all other fans of this movie, I've impatiently waited for the last five years since the Platinum Editions line was formed in 2001 (Back when TLM was scheduled for a 2008 (!) re-release date, may I add.) for this Special 2-Disc Edition of the movie on DVD. Well today, two years earlier than originally planned, the Platinum Edition of The Little Mermaid is FINALLY available, and it's been well worth the wait.

The centerpiece of the whole set is on disc 1 - the movie itself. Forget all the grain, softness, and other video issues on previous VHS releases, as well as the not-so-hot non-anamorphic transfer of the barebones 1999 Limited Issue DVD. THIS has been digitally restored, with colors punched up, most of the grain removed, and just all around made fantastic, and is presented in anamorphic widescreen, which means it's enhanced for 16:9 TV sets. It's never looked this gorgeous or amazing on video. It's never SOUNDED this good either. The sound mix is amazing. Trust me, if you own any of the two previous VHS tapes, and/or laserdiscs, and/or the Limited Issue DVD, you STILL need to get this just for the improvement in the video and audio.

There are only a few bonuses on disc 1. The commentary and Ashley Tisdale music videos are ones I have not yet checked out, although I plan to listen to the commentary soon. The Little Mermaid III Musical Sneak Peek is also included. The quality of the animation is subpar, but not as subpar as what you see in the preview for Cinderella III, which looks like it was made by the same crappy animation team that did Cinderella II. Sad.

Disc 2 does NOT contain a massive quantity of bonus materials like a few of the previous Platinum Edition DVDs like Snow White. However, this time around, Disney decided on quality over quantity. All the bonus materials make up ONE page of the DVD guide, but this time, Disney does not include much of the usual fluff from post-Snow White Platinum Editions, such as crappy games and 5 crappy pop videos. Ashley Tisdale's video is the only one in the set, and it's on disc 1. And instead of games, Disney includes a VERY special bonus in the Games and Activities section - a recreation of the cancelled Little Mermaid Attraction that was in development for Walt Disney World in the early 90's. With CGI animation, the ride that almost was is brought to life. There are two ways to explore it. You can explore it as a ride, with audio commentary. You can also explore it with "Ride With Disney Imagineers," which lets you listen to the commentary AND view storyboards, the ride itself, and at certain points, turn on the lights so you can see all the stuff going on. I'm absolutely impressed with this bonus feature, and it's one that merits repeat viewing.

The Deleted Scenes section of a Disney DVD usually only includes maybe two or three scenes. This one contains three deleted sequences, a song demo, and three alternate/extended versions of scenes that are in the movie, including an alternate ending. Among my favorites were the alternate version of Fathoms Below, where we learn that Ursula is Triton's SISTER. I also loved the alternate version of Poor Unfortunate Souls, which includes alternate lyrics from the original demo, as well as some additional dialogue. The final scene isn't a scene at all. Instead, it's audio from the quickly deleted song Silence Is Golden, which was to be Ursula's song, but lyricist Howard Ashman hated it and threw it out early in the picture, so it was never even storyboarded. The audio is played with a screen giving details of the song and a piece of developmental artwork of Ursula and Ariel. The Deleted Scenes section is absolutely awesome, and definitely something fun to watch.

Backstage Disney is always the best part of a 2-Disc Disney DVD's extras. The Little Mermaid's Backstage Disney section is no exception. The central focus is the 45-minute documentary Treasures Untold. The documentary isn't just fluff about how they worked on the picture, etc. It also goes into detail about the management changes that made The Little Mermaid possible, and how *gasp* Jeffrey Katzenburg almost wouldn't let Part Of Your World be in the picture! They even acknowledge that they made The Black Cauldron in this one, which to me is absolutely shocking.

In addition, there's a featurette on the Special Effects Unit, and the "Story Behind The Story," (No, not a port over from the Beauty and the Beast DVD.) which talks about Hans Christian Andersen and the original fairy tale of TLM. However, a nice surprise is a new animated short based on Andersen's story The Little Match Girl. No dialogue, and set to Alexander Borodin's String Quartet #2, this short was intended for the now scrapped Fantasia 2006 project. This short is more melancholy than Disney's treatment of The Little Mermaid, but VERY faithful to the story, right down to keeping the bittersweet ending of the original tale intact. Rounding out this section are galleries, (Which include concept artwork done for a scrapped TLM project at Disney from the 1940's.) the early presentation reel which includes visual development drawings, concept art, etc. set to a demo version of Under The Sea, and the original 1989 theatrical trailer.

I urge you, if you're a fan of this movie, even a casual one, PLEASE pick up this DVD. It's worth the cost JUST for the movie alone, but awesome and MEATY bonus features that, for the most part, break away from all the "kiddie" fluff oversaturating most Disney DVDs nowadays absolutely sweeten the deal.

[slave2moonlight]

Well, I haven't watched disc one yet. I have so much work to do that I wasn't going to watch anything but "Little Match Girl" and the virtual Little Mermaid ride tonight, but.... well, one thing lead to another, and before I knew it I was sitting on my bed in my underwear with a bowl of Fruity Pebbles. I watched all of Disc 2, which took a while, but not nearly as long as it should have. I am still awaiting a Platinum that impresses me as much as Snow White did, and I really wanted it to be The Little Mermaid. I mean, I am soooooo in love with Ariel. It's hard to choose between Ariel and Tink, but... I think... if I was really in a bind... Jodi's voice MIGHT put Ariel over the top... I hate to even say it though....

Anyways, I came out of the experience with mixed feelings. There were things I was very grateful about, and there were things I was disappointed about. One in particular. There was absolutely no footage of Sherri Stoner performing live-action reference for Ariel!!!! I am soooo upset about this! I wanted that so bad! I remember seeing that years ago on a making of special and falling instantly in love with Sherri, because she was pretty much a real-life Ariel, only brunette... I really wanted to have that footage. Heck, I wanted that whole behind the scenes special if possible! I mean, that's a big complaint I have about a lot of the recent releases. All the behind the scenes/making of stuff is mostly new material. It's great stuff. I loved the stuff that WAS included, but there's a completely different and special feeling from a making-of featurette that was aired back when the film was originally released! Then, there was the fact that they got permission to show a McDonald's commercial, yet only showed about 2 seconds of it! Give us the whole commercial! And where was the video that was touted as an extra on the 2nd VHS release?!! You know, Jodi Benson singing Part of Your World on a beach! I will always adore Jodi Benson and Sherri Stoner (still don't know if Sheri is with one "R" or two) because of "The Little Mermaid," and I wanted way more footage of them during the actual making of the film. I mean, I didn't get ANY of Sherri.

Oh well. I AM glad that the activities section wasn't a lot of useless junk this time, but was instead a bunch of excellent stuff about the shelved "Little Mermaid" theme park ride! It was VERY cool (I wouldn't rule out the possibility of this, or something similar, being made someday soon after all)! And I always appreciate a Disney short, especially one never before released! "Little Match Girl" was fantastic! The Disneypedia was nice, especially since it was all together like a featurette. I also loved the featurette on Hans Christian Anderson's and Walt's versions of the tale. Great stuff! As I said, I LOVED the stuff they included. Haven't seen disc 2, but I've seen that Tisdale video and it's cute. Much better than some of the Disney Channel Star videos they tack onto these releases. I'm happy to own it. I'm also a huge fan of the art galleries, being an artist myself, especially the character design stuff (especially the gorgeous princesses!), and you can't go wrong with deleted scenes! Looking forward to the audio commentary too. There could have been more, yes, even episodes of the TV series or Sebastian shorts, but honestly, the only thing that breaks my heart is the lack of that so fun to watch "live-action reference footage." I mean, even when I don't have a crush on the model, I enjoy that sort of thing. It's just really cool! And, I also am sad about the lack of the Jodi video. Her voice (as Ariel) is like the most perfect voice on the planet. Pretty sad that an old VHS I once had included an extra that the Platinum DVD release didn't.... I mean, that's just insane, really.

Don't get me wrong, I love this DVD. I just REALLY wanted the Jodi video and reference footage. And why not include that whole McDonald's commercial with it's exclusive Ariel and Flounder animation? It's a shame. I hope they're just saving that for the Blu Ray release... Not that I have a player yet, but I'm sure I will by then....

[xxhplinkxx]

I picked mine up today and I just now finished seeing everything on disc 2 (except for the art galleries, which I just skimmed through) Overall, I enjoyed it. This is my favorite movie so anything that has to do with it, Im simply in love with. My only dissapointment was that it should have had all the old music videos, the re-release trailer, and recording sessions with the voice actors, live action references, and composer/orchestra. I eat that s*** up. I love seeing the voice actors in the recording studio. One of my favorite things from the Aladdin DVD was the clip of Lea Salonga and Brad Kane singing "A Whole New World". I would kill to have footage of Jodi Benson or Pat Carroll in front of the mic singing "Part of Your World" and "Poor Unfortunate Souls". And I definately wanted to see more Sherri Stoner footage. And not even a glimpse of Chris Barnes. Tsk Tsk. Other than that, Im pretty happy with the release.

As for the movie itself, Ive yet to see it. I'll probably watch it tomorrow, if not I"ll wait till Thursday night... which if things go right, will be an unforgettable night.

[MerXAN]

Ariel 'possibly' saying a word that begins with 'F'.

No. She is definitely just biting her lip. According to Mark Henn, Sherri Stoner inspired this Ariel mannerism. He said that it made the character more believable.

[Disney Live On]

Just thought I'd mention- I'm not sure if anyone else has- that the animated menus on Disc 2 are not new at all. All the animation of the dolphin, Sebastian and the clam that opens and shuts is taken from The Little Mermaid 2 opening sequence in which Sebastian is looking for and finds Melody. I swear... just take a look at that scene and it's totally true! I love this DVD. Got it today and have not stopped watching it!!!

[kbehm29]

Watching The Little Mermaid 2-disc Platinum Edition with my kids last night was fabulous. We watched all of the contents of Disc 1, including the movie itself. We're going to watch Disc 2 tonight. It was the first time my almost-4 year old son had seen the movie and he LOVED it. It was the first thing he talked about when he woke up this morning.

I really wish Disney would go back to this style of musical animation that we all love and enjoy so much.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

It's pleasing to see the mood to this release changing on the forum now. I was getting quite depressed last week, having already got my discs (and enjoyed them immensely) to find that everyone was condemning the discs without actually having seen them on the basis of a couple of extremely unfair, exaggerated and negative reviews.

As I pointed out about a hundred posts ago in this thread, people judge this by different standards, some of which may rather just as well be a lack of standards.

A lot of (or most) people think this looks good, and I don't really disagree. Buy it, watch it, be happy about it - that's fine.

Then there are the discriminating ones, who apply strict standards based on the original film or artwork - and the original sound. It has been reasonably well documented (www.hometheaterforum.com) why some of those are quite unhappy.

I think it's somewhat shortsighted to dismiss that.

Perhaps it'd be more useful to distinguish between looking "good" and looking "right".

[Disneykid]

Anyways, I came out of the experience with mixed feelings. There were things I was very grateful about, and there were things I was disappointed about. One in particular. There was absolutely no footage of Sherri Stoner performing live-action reference for Ariel!!!! I am soooo upset about this! I wanted that so bad! I remember seeing that years ago on a making of special and falling instantly in love with Sherri, because she was pretty much a real-life Ariel, only brunette... I really wanted to have that footage...I will always adore Jodi Benson and Sherri Stoner (still don't know if Sheri is with one "R" or two) because of "The Little Mermaid," and I wanted way more footage of them during the actual making of the film. I mean, I didn't get ANY of Sherri.

Actually, there's an all-too brief easter egg on disc two that has a quick interview with Sherri and a few shots of her performing the reference footage. Why none of this was in the documentary is beyond me. You can find the egg (along with two others) on the menu for "Treasures Untold."

[slave2moonlight]

Anyways, I came out of the experience with mixed feelings. There were things I was very grateful about, and there were things I was disappointed about. One in particular. There was absolutely no footage of Sherri Stoner performing live-action reference for Ariel!!!! I am soooo upset about this! I wanted that so bad! I remember seeing that years ago on a making of special and falling instantly in love with Sherri, because she was pretty much a real-life Ariel, only brunette... I really wanted to have that footage...I will always adore Jodi Benson and Sherri Stoner (still don't know if Sheri is with one "R" or two) because of "The Little Mermaid," and I wanted way more footage of them during the actual making of the film. I mean, I didn't get ANY of Sherri.

Actually, there's an all-too brief easter egg on disc two that has a quick interview with Sherri and a few shots of her performing the reference footage. Why none of this was in the documentary is beyond me. You can find the egg (along with two others) on the menu for "Treasures Untold."

Thanks, DisneyKid! I am EXTREMELY happy to hear this! I will check this out as soon as possible! It definitely shouldn't have been relegated to an Easter Egg, but I'm just thrilled it's actually there. I did check for Easter Eggs on a couple of menus when I was getting desperate, but I must have not checked this one! I really don't expect Easter Eggs on Disney DVDs anymore, so I didn't have much hope, but I did have a glimmer that I might find Sherri that way! Thanks so much!

[totallyminnie86]

I watched disc 1 last night (saving disc 2 for today) and although I was extremely excited about it, after all it is my favorite disney movie, I found myself too analytical to enjoy it at certain times. I think since there was so much hype over whether things were good or bad, and the fact that I always critique thing (not good for me) it took away from my initial viewing.

Now, I'm not at all good at describing in technical terms what I thought was different, so I'll just due it in the simplest of terms. I often wondered what TLM would've looked like if made today. And the answer is TLM PE. I think overall, my reaction is that it is obviously restored beyond its original style, as luke noted in the review. Now, its not that its a bad thing, I guess that I would prefer it not to be so blatant. (which was never to be expected, considering the rep PEs have had so far w/ extreme restorations) although this restoration gives a different feel to the movie, I still prefer it as a dvd version over the 1999 version.

I noticed that the lines were all much more defined, and that there was more detail on all of their eyes, almost with a subtle gray line effect around them. It feels smoother, and the colors are somtimes hit-and-miss. In some shots I feel like its too intense, some times too dull (like Ariel's fin in part of your world). It does however, make some shots more visible and clearer to see, and I never noticed the "hidden mickey" of sorts in the middle of Urusula's contract. I thought poor unfortunate souls, and most of the work w/ Ursula was greatly improved!

I would love to hope that someday disney would eventually release the original theatrical version. Similar to what has happened with the star wars movies, although I doubt it'll happen, because honstly the market would only be for disney purists. I would just like to have the opportunity to view the very first original version for comparison (I've heard that not even the original VHS release is like the theatrical one, don't know if that is correct) Also, it bothers me a bit that they felt the need to address and edit certain parts of this release that've appeared on all previously releases. i.e. the "knee" and deleting mickey,donald and goofy from the concert scene. Although a small adjustment, it seems unneccessary.

Overall, I enjoyed it. If I ever feel the need to watch a more "authentic" TLM, I'll stick on my old, grainy VHS I'm pleased with the fact that it was mostly enjoyable, although I think a repeat viewing is already needed. So thumbs up to this. I can't wait for disc 2!

[darth_deetoo]

deleting mickey,donald and goofy from the concert scene. Although a small adjustment, it seems unneccessary.

They haven't!

[darth_deetoo]

It's pleasing to see the mood to this release changing on the forum now. I was getting quite depressed last week, having already got my discs (and enjoyed them immensely) to find that everyone was condemning the discs without actually having seen them on the basis of a couple of extremely unfair, exaggerated and negative reviews.

As I pointed out about a hundred posts ago in this thread, people judge this by different standards, some of which may rather just as well be a lack of standards.

A lot of (or most) people think this looks good, and I don't really disagree. Buy it, watch it, be happy about it - that's fine.

Then there are the discriminating ones, who apply strict standards based on the original film or artwork - and the original sound. It has been reasonably well documented (www.hometheaterforum.com) why some of those are quite unhappy.

I think it's somewhat shortsighted to dismiss that.

Perhaps it'd be more useful to distinguish between looking "good" and looking "right".

Well, quite honestly, it looks good, and it looks right.

I think it's a bit shortsighted to dismiss all of the people who are extremely happy with this release.

And you know, I think some of these people who obsess about changes made in restoring films, really need to get out more. Quite honestly, I'm sick of people obsessing about the changes made to films, it's something that's always happened throughout the history of cinema, and it's only nowadays with the advent of VHS and DVD where people can own their own copies of their favourite films that it's becoming such a sad obsession to complain that the third pencil line in scene 3 has been rubbed out in the restoration, or Belle's hair is a slight shade to light, or the third Stormtrooper on the left didn't trip up anymore. For god's sake people, get a life, get over it.

Okay, I might be being a bit extreme here, and I know these things are important to some people. But at the end of the day, it's popular entertainment, and some people let the slightest change or amendment ruin the whole experience for them - and I think that's just sad.

[Aladdin from Agrabah]

I really wish Disney would go back to this style of musical animation that we all love and enjoy so much.

Oh my! For what you just said I am praying the last 6 years! I think this quote says everything about Disney's latest failures. And that's one of the reasons why we're expecting rereleases like TLM so desperately. It there, beyond the waves, or somewhere in the savana, or in an Arabian night, or in a Beast's castle where the true Disney magic is hidden!!

[Dottie]

I envy y'all sooooo much!!! I'll get my copy next week, and I'm super excited!!
I watched TLM on my old VHS and the picture is just sooooo bad. I guess I've watched it too often .
It's gonna help me through next week, since I have 3 presentations in school, and maybe two tests.

[Lars Vermundsberget]

Well, quite honestly, it looks good, and it looks right.

Well, intuitively, "good" might seem to equal "right". But I suggested that it could make sense to distinguish between the two. Did you make an effort to? Not that you have to, though. You're happy with it, and that's good.

I think it's a bit shortsighted to dismiss all of the people who are extremely happy with this release.

As far as I can see, the "dismissing" seems to go in the other direction in this thread.

And you know, I think some of these people who obsess about changes made in restoring films, really need to get out more. Quite honestly, I'm sick of people obsessing about the changes made to films, it's something that's always happened throughout the history of cinema, and it's only nowadays with the advent of VHS and DVD where people can own their own copies of their favourite films that it's becoming such a sad obsession to complain that the third pencil line in scene 3 has been rubbed out in the restoration, or Belle's hair is a slight shade to light, or the third Stormtrooper on the left didn't trip up anymore. For god's sake people, get a life, get over it.

Yeah - some people (and they are a minority) are somewhat "obsessive" about this. People such as motion picture archivist Robert Harris. They take movies as "documents" worth preserving very seriously. They won't "get over it".

Okay, I might be being a bit extreme here, and I know these things are important to some people. But at the end of the day, it's popular entertainment, and some people let the slightest change or amendment ruin the whole experience for them - and I think that's just sad.

Yes, I guess you might be just a bit extreme here. The trick could be for some of you people here not to perceive the fact that some are justifiedly unhappy about this release as an attack on your right to appreciate it.

Does that make sense to you?