Disney's Aladdin DVD Press Release (Real One)

[Prince Eric]

At the last minute, I'm on the fence about the gift set. I've always wanted it, especially given that Aladdin is my favorite movie of all time, but I'm wondering if there's anything in it that I'll use more than once other than the actulal DVD. Normally I'd just go for it, but I'm wondering because if I spend on this, I won't be able to get Mulan first week, whereas if I get just the 2-discer, Mulan will be easy to obtain ASAP. Thoughts?

The deciding factor for me will be what's in the companian book. (If anyone gets it early, please post the contents, or if you get it Tuesday, please give information ASAP.) If it's like The Lion King one, which was basically a rewording of the entire movie, then no, I'll pass. However, this is my favorite animated classic and I'd love this to be my first DVD Gift Set of any kind. I would just go for it if I were you.

[Prince Phillip]

At the last minute, I'm on the fence about the gift set. I've always wanted it, especially given that Aladdin is my favorite movie of all time, but I'm wondering if there's anything in it that I'll use more than once other than the actulal DVD. Normally I'd just go for it, but I'm wondering because if I spend on this, I won't be able to get Mulan first week, whereas if I get just the 2-discer, Mulan will be easy to obtain ASAP. Thoughts?

The deciding factor for me will be what's in the companian book. (If anyone gets it early, please post the contents, or if you get it Tuesday, please give information ASAP.) If it's like The Lion King one, which was basically a rewording of the entire movie, then no, I'll pass. However, this is my favorite animated classic and I'd love this to be my first DVD Gift Set of any kind. I would just go for it if I were you.

I don't see how there could be a doubt in anyone(who is a diehard Aladdin fan)'s mind about getting this. This is a must have!!!!

The only reason I bought the Lion King Gift Set, was beacause I was anticipating the Aladdin ones, and I wan't the whole collection of Gift Sets. Now all they need to do is release a The Little Mermaid one, and I will be content...

[Evil Genie Jafar]

The deciding factor for me will be what's in the companian book. (If anyone gets it early, please post the contents, or if you get it Tuesday, please give information ASAP.) If it's like The Lion King one, which was basically a rewording of the entire movie, then no, I'll pass. However, this is my favorite animated classic and I'd love this to be my first DVD Gift Set of any kind. I would just go for it if I were you.

I don't see how there could be a doubt in anyone(who is a diehard Aladdin fan)'s mind about getting this. This is a must have!!!!

The only reason I bought the Lion King Gift Set, was beacause I was anticipating the Aladdin ones, and I wan't the whole collection of Gift Sets. Now all they need to do is release a The Little Mermaid one, and I will be content...

Prince Phillip is right. If Aladdin is your favorite movie how come you have to think if you want the Gift Set? How come your favorite movie is coming and you don't know if you want to have it in the best form available?

If you don't get it you're going to regret it (die hard fans).

Jake Lipson, you can always get Mulan later. And if you're like me, you always find the money altough you don't have it.

[Jack]

How did you get u get it today Jack?

You're lucky

I pre-ordered it through the Disney store and they shipped it to me early.

I was swearing up and down that I was going to get the Gift Set too, but I ended up deciding not to. I went for the lithos + the special Aladdin frames from the Disney store instead - they are cooler than the stuff in the set (aside from the book).

[That1GuyPictures]

I just recieved my gift set today, (1 day early) and I'll let you in on what's inside.

Just so everyone knows what is included in the gift set...

There are 7 drawings (not 5) and included in my set are these 7 drawings,
-Sultan
-Iago-
-Jafar
-Genie
-Abu
-Jasmine
-And of Course Aladdin

It also comes with a Certificate of Authenticity (It is not numbered,
but it does say "First Edition Lithograph" in it's bottom right hand corner.

The senitype (film cell) is also included and mine has a scene of Jasmine and Aladdin flying on a carpet singing a Whole New World. (Maybe others will be different, but I doubt it.)

And then it includes the book which is georgeous, and has 160 pages
all in full color.

IT ALSO GIVES US AN EXAMPLE OF THE TYPE OF CHANGES MADE TO THE FILM. (Mostly redrawn animation to make it look better.)

And it also includes the film...which I am just getting ready to watch...
I just wanted to get this info out as soon as I could so people could make more informed decisions about which type of release to buy.

I'm a poor college kid, but I will never regret that I bought this Aladdin Gift Set. And to whoever would hesitate, I plead with you to think again.

I'd much rather have the gift set and have to wait a few weeks for the money to buy Mulan or any other DVD.

I was quite impressed with the set...more than I expected is always great!

[Barty]

I didnt buy the gift set, just the normal edition... i don't usually enjoy books, but i am curious about the changes they made, too bad i can't order the book on its own They should have made a featurrette on the changes on the dvd!

[BonusMage]

Mine arrived today, I loved the film and this was the first DVD to test my new Home Cinema I bought at the weekend and I immediately tried the Disney Home Theatre Mix, it was great.
One thing that annoyed me was that there are 12 trailers/commercials before the menu! The DVD started, I picked English, Incredibles trailer on - watched it had a chuckle , Hefflump Movie trailer - watched that one but then got bored when another one started so I then started skipping them, I was shocked to see the number 12 as the total number of scenes to skip. I don't think we need that many commercials before the film.

[lolopimp]

Can anyone in here tellme a site where I can find inside pictures of the DVD companion book from the Lion King Gift Set?

[Mermaid Kelly]

My copy of Aladdin arrived today as well!!
(I also had preordered it from the Disney Store)

I spent close to 3 hours earlier watching my new dvd!
(I have sooo much homework to do tonight, and I spend my time watching Aladdin! )

[Lady]

I pre-ordered mine from the Disney Store too and they didn't send mine out early!

Probably best this way since I don't have any time to watch it until the weekend anyways.

[Evil Genie Jafar]

I just couldn't wait to receive my Gift Set from amazon so I bought myself another copy . I went to the mall just to see if by any chance a store was selling it early and what was my surprise when Spec's was selling it today. Apparently they can. They have this advertising where it says something like "Movies arrive on Tuesdays but you can get it early here".

So today I skipped a class in university just so I could see it .

Anyways, it was worth it. The movie looks and sound incredible. And I'll loose some hours of sleep just to see some of the extra features.

PS

By the way, I love the dialogs between Jafar and Iago in the lamp inside the cave of wonders.

[Prince Eric]

Could anyone please give a detailed description of the companion book contents?

[Ciaobelli]

Could anyone please give a detailed description of the companion book contents?

The aladdin one or the Lion King one??

TLK one is basically "the back of the dvd description" but longer and with pictures. Then a summaryof the story. It is quite disappointing.

[Prince Eric]

Could anyone please give a detailed description of the companion book contents?

The aladdin one or the Lion King one??

TLK one is basically "the back of the dvd description" but longer and with pictures. Then a summaryof the story. It is quite disappointing.

I knew that, I meant the one newest one.

[Ciaobelli]

The aladdin one or the Lion King one??

TLK one is basically "the back of the dvd description" but longer and with pictures. Then a summaryof the story. It is quite disappointing.

I knew that, I meant the one newest one.

I would assume its the same, hopefully not though. I would know if Amazon decided to ship the friggin thing.

[That1GuyPictures]

The Aladdin Book that comes with the gift set is 160 pages in length
and basically recaps everything you see in the supplements,
however, it explains many of the things that you can read on the back cover in detail, like who mixed the new sound mix and what elements they used to come up with the new mix, 2 frame comparisons showing the example of cleaned up animation (it also lists that there are over 100 "cleaned" shots in this DVD version. However they are minor aesthetic changes that I heartily welcome. Better animation done by the original artists sound great to me. (We're not talking STAR WARS changes here...HAHA)
And then the book has beautiful blow ups of many backgrounds and Obviously cleaned up stills from the movie. I think it's a beautiful booklet.
And I would have paid at least $5-10 for this in a store (since I'm a diehard when it comes to Aladdin) It's nicely bound and printed on very high qulaity paper, and is proabably the best feature next to the senitype.

The senitype is individually numbered on the back (mine is somewhere around 198,000 something) but I don't feel like getting it out of the box.

My only question with the Senitype is this:
Why is it presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. (At least that's what it looks like to me)
Shouldn't it be animorphic?

Regaurdless, I still love the senitype.

Anyway I hope you guys all enjoy your Aladdin sets
and if you have any questions about the inner contents of the gift set,
or even the DVD itself post them here and I'll be glad to answer them.

ALADDIN IS THE BEST DISNEY MOVIE EVER, AND IT SURE GOT THE TREATMENT IT DESERVED!!!!

[Jack]

Thanks for that overview of the giftset contents, That1Guy! I've decided I'm going to go ahead and get it - I know I'll regret it if I don't.

[Just Myself]

<center>
<font size="5"><u>FIRST TIME EVER ON DISNEY DVD OCTOBER 5</u></font>
<br><font size="7">ALADDIN</font>
<br><font size="4">2-DISC SPECIAL EDITION</font>
<font size="3">
A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF PICTURE & SOUND:
<i>Newly Restored, First Ever Digital Presentation
With 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix</i>

A WHOLE NEW WORLD REVEALED
<i>Features Deleted Song From Academy Award®
Winning Songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken and MORE</i>

A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF FUN & GAMES
<i>Thrilling Virtual DVD Magic Carpet Ride, Hysterical Inside The Genie’s Lamp 3-D Tour,
All-New Games, and MORE</i></font></center>

<font size="2">
BURBANK, Calif., February 9, 2004 – The wait is over, your wish has been granted! For the first time ever,
Disney’s animated classic <b>ALADDIN</b> is available as a “<b>Platinum Edition</b>” 2-Disc <b>SPECIAL EDITION</b> DVD set
and special <b>Collector’s DVD Gift Set</b> from Walt Disney Home Entertainment on <b>October 5</b>. Unavailable in any
form for over ten years, this double Academy Award®* winning magic carpet ride is presented for the first in a
digital format in a magical 2-Disc set with a huge menu of bonus features. The <b>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION</b>
DVD includes the deleted song “Proud Of Your Boy” by Oscar®-winning** songwriters Howard Ashman and
Alan Menken; a wild virtual DVD carpet ride with all-new animation and stunning 5.1 Surround Sound; deleted
scenes, never-before-seen “Aladdin” movie secrets, a hilarious 3-D tour of the Genie’s lamp, games that extend the
movie experience, Genie musical postcards, sing along songs, all new music videos, and MUCH more (see
attached). Plus, the special <b>Collector’s DVD Gift Set</b>, available day and date, offers even more treasure for the
Aladdin fan who must have it all.

Designed specifically for the best possible home theater experience, the stunning <b>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION</b>
DVD features the very finest in audio quality with the all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix. This is
absolutely the most exciting way to hear one of Disney’s most outstanding musical masterpieces.
Disney 2-Disc DVD: $29.99 (S.R.P.). VHS: $24.99 (S.R.P.). Collector’s DVD Gift Set: $49.99 (S.R.P.). Please
read on for details! Available for a limited time!

<center><b><u>A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF <i>PICTURE AND SOUND</i></center></u></b>

The <b>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION 2-DISC DVD</b> is restored and remastered for this first-ever digital
presentation – giving the public a new and enhanced Aladdin experience with increased crispness and clarity. In
some instances characters were redrawn adding more facial detail to accommodate the sharper DVD image quality.
Background colors in many scenes were enhanced both for color and for detail - all under the supervision of Disney
Feature Animation and members of the original creative team.

Designed specifically for home theater systems, this sparkling DVD features the very finest in audio quality with
the all-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix. This is the absolute best way to see and hear this outstanding
masterpiece.

• <b>All-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix</b>. Engineered to create a more dynamic and spatially
enhanced audio-sensory experience and designed specifically for home theater systems.
• <b>Dolby® Digital 5.1 Surround Sound</b>
• <b>THX Certified</b>
• <b>Widescreen (1.66:1) Enhanced for 16x9 televisions</b>

<center><b><u>A WHOLE NEW WORLD <i>REVEALED</i></center></u></b>

Experience the magic behind the masterpiece with never-before-seen movie secrets; making-of feature; the first-ever
comprehensive look at the making of <b>ALADDIN</b>; rare deleted scenes and more. The Academy Award®
winning* music for <b>ALADDIN</b> is now joined on DVD by the deleted song “Proud Of Your Boy,” a gem from the
Disney vault by legendary Oscar®-winning** Disney songwriters Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

• <b>“Proud Of Your Boy”</b>
The deleted song “Proud Of Your Boy” was originally composed for Aladdin and is recovered from the Disney
vault. This song is one of the last collaborations by renowned composers Howard Ashman and Alan Menken.

• <b>Rare deleted scenes</b>
• <b>2 Audio Commentaries</b>
• <b>Featuring the filmmakers</b>
• <b>The Making of ALADDIN</b>
Includes never-before-seen movie secrets. A break thorough navigation system allows the viewer to watch the
“making of” in a linear fashion or to branch out and delve deeper into areas of interest. Whichever experience is
chosen, the viewer will be delighted.
• <b>ALADDIN art review</b>
• <b>Listen as key artists give you insights into the magic of animating Aladdin</b>
• <b>New and original music videos</b>

<center><b><u>A WHOLE NEW WORLD OF <i>FUN AND GAMES</i></center></u></b>

<b>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION 2-DISC DVD</b> includes the gravity-defying virtual DVD carpet ride “Aladdin’s
Magic Carpet” with all-new animation; hilarious tours with the Genie; hysterical inside look at the Genie’s lamp,
games that extend the movie experience, sing along songs, all-new music videos, Fun Facts Pop-Up trivia track and
much more.

• <b>Disney’s Virtual DVD Ride: Aladdin’s Magic Carpet</b>
A thrilling, gravity-defying magic carpet ride that allows players to be transported to Agrabah with Aladdin on
a quest to save Jasmine – featuring all-new animation and stunning 5.1 Surround Sound.

• <b>Inside The Genie’s Lamp</b>
Take a hysterical 3-D tour and get a never-before-seen inside look at the Genie’s “pad.” Who would have
thought the Genie had a billiard table at home?

• <b>Genie’s Magical Journey</b>
Based on the film’s original end credit concept. Take a hilarious, action-packed trip around the world with the
Genie and see what happened after he was released from the lamp.

• <b>The Bizarre Bazaar Game</b>
A fun and challenging game in which you must guess the mystery ware that the street merchant places before
you.

• <b>FUN FACTS POP UP Track</b>
Watch ALADDIN in the special “Trivia Mode” to learn fun facts about the film.

• <b>Disney Song Selection</b>
Sing along to your favorite songs as the words pop up on screen. Including “Friend Like Me”, “A Whole New
World”, “Price Ali”

• <b>Music Videos</b>
All-New recording of “A Whole New World” by the Disney Channel Circle of Stars

• <b>And Much More</b>

<center><b><u>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION
COLLECTOR’S DVD GIFT SET</center></b></u>

This is the must-have collection that every fan will want. In addition to the 2-Disc DVD and its bonus materials,
the set includes:

• <b>All-new sketches by the original animators</b>
• <b>Highly collectible, actual film frame from the movie</b>
• <b>DVD Companion Book</b>
Experience the magic behind this animated masterpiece.

<center><b><u>ABOUT THE RESTORATION</center></b></u>

The <b>ALADDIN SPECIAL EDITION 2-DISC DVD</b> offers the highest quality digital presentation with enhanced
picture available, with an All-New 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix – creating a more dynamic surround
sense experience. For the Special Edition, <b>ALADDIN</b> has been meticulously and painstakingly reformatted one
frame at a time, working from the film’s original digitally stored files.
Led by a filmmaking team from Disney’s famed Feature Animation division, a group of Disney’s top artists and
technicians launched a major effort to remove dust and dirt, add detail and provide the home viewer with a digital
picture and sound that is the finest possible.

<center><b><u>THE MUSIC</center></b></u>

The legendary Disney composer Alan Menken worked with both lyricists Howard Ashman and Tim Rice on
<b>ALADDIN</b>. Menken won the 1992 Academy Award for <b>ALADDIN</b> for Best Original Score. Menken and Rice
won the 1992 Best Music (Song) Oscar for <b>ALADDIN</b>’s inspiring song “A Whole New World.” The
outstanding musical contributions in the film include such beloved songs as the lively “Friend Like Me” and the
upbeat “Prince Ali.” Ashman and Menken also collaborated and won Oscars for their work on the Disney
classics “<i>Beauty and the Beast</i>” and “<i>The Little Mermaid</i>.” Alan Menken holds eight Oscars to date.

<center><b><u>CAST AND FILMMAKERS</center></b></u>

<b>ALADDIN</b>stellar cast includes Scott Weinger (“<i>Mickey’s House of Villains</i>”) as Aladdin, Linda Larkin (TV’s
“<i>House of Mouse</i>”) as Princess Jasmine, Jonathan Freeman (“<i>The Ice Storm</i>”) as the wicked vizier Jafar, and
comedian Gilbert Gottfried as Iago the Parrot. Lea Salonga (Broadway’s “Miss Saigon”) and Brad Kane provide
the stellar singing voices of Jasmine and Aladdin.
ALADDIN is produced and directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, the same team that produced/directed the
Disney classic “<i>The Little Mermaid</i>.” Musker and Clements also co-wrote the film with Ted Elliot & Terry Rossio,
writers of Disney’s “<i>Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of The Black Pearl</i>.”

<b><u>Street Date</u>: October 5, 2004</b>
<u>Feature running time</u>: Approximately 90 minutes
<u>DVD aspect ratio</u>: 1.66:1 (widescreen) Original Animated Aspect Ratio
Enhanced for 16x9 screens
<u>Suggested retail price</u>: $29.99 DVD. $24.99 VHS.
Collector’s Gift Set: $49.99 (DVD only).
<u>Rated</u>: “G” General Audiences
<u>Bonus material</u>: Not Rated. Bonus material subject to change.
<u>Sound</u>: All-new 5.1 Disney Enhanced Home Theater Mix
Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround Sound
THX certified
<u>Direct Prebook</u>: July 27
<u>Distributor Prebook</u>: August 10

<b>ALADDIN</b> is Disney’s spectacular version of the classic Arabian Nights fairy tale. Set in the mythical city of
Agrabah, the story follows a street-smart teen, Aladdin, and his mischievous pet monkey, Abu. Aladdin falls in
love with the free-spirited Princess Jasmine, despite a law that says she can only wed a royal suitor. His luck
changes with one rub of the magic lamp, releasing the shape-shifting, fun-loving, wish-giving Genie, who turns
Aladdin into a Prince. But the evil vizier, Jafar, and his wisecracking parrot, Iago, also crave the lamp’s power. If
Aladdin is to defeat them and win Jasmine’s heart, he must learn to be himself – with a little help from his big blue
buddy, the Genie.

Walt Disney Home Entertainment is distributed by Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc., a recognized industry
leader. Buena Vista Home Entertainment, Inc. is the marketing, sales and distribution company for Walt Disney,
Touchstone, Miramax, Dimension and Buena Vista videocassettes and DVDs.

* ALADDIN ACADEMY AWARDS®
Best Music, Original Score 1992 Alan Menken
Best Music, Song “A Whole New World” 1992 Alan Menken and Tim
Rice
** Academy Award® wins for the collaboration of Howard Ashman &
Alan Menken:
Best Music, Song “Beauty And The Beast” from BEAUTY AND THE
BEAST 1991
Best Music, Song “Under The Sea” from THE LITTLE MERMAID 1989


<b><font size="4">PRE-ORDER FROM AMAZON...</font></b>

<img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/aladpe.jpg">
Aladdin: Platinum Edition
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

<img src="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/images/aladdings.jpg">
Aladdin: Collector's Gift Set
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/ ... eimprovemz

<b><font size="4"><a href="http://www.ultimatedisney.com/aladdin.html">Read our Aladdin DVD Review</a></b></font>

I'm giddy about this. I'm out of state right now, and I preordered it from disneystore.com, so I'll rent it for now.

[deathie mouse]

My only question with the Senitype is this:
Why is it presented in a 1.33:1 aspect ratio. (At least that's what it looks like to me)
Shouldn't it be animorphic?

No it shouldn't be anamorphic cus Aladdin wasn't a 2.40 wide Anamorphic/Cinemascope/Filmed in Panavision (those terms are interchangeable) film

Aladdin, a "Spherical Widescreen" film, was theroretically projected between 1.85 and 1.66 in theaters (I saw it in 1.85)

If the film frame is a TRUE 35mm frame from the film, the image between the sprockets and the soundtrack should be in a shape between 1.375 open matte and 1.85 hard matte. Aladdin's print would probably be most likely hardmatted around 1.66 so no frame lines would show up on theaters with 1.66 screens (I've seen the print for The Lion King and it was like that), but it may have been slightly more open matted than 1.66 in reality

Here's an example of an Academy 1.375 film frame:



that image is lightened up so you can see the thickness of the Academy 1.375 frame lines easily


and here is what the other extreme (1.85 hard matted), would look like:



(I think that last image is somewhat a mock up and not a true film frame cus the sound is in the wrong side but the image is in the correct orientation if i recall that scene correctly)


The Aladdin film frame should fall in between those two
I still haven't bought da daluxe gift set yet to tell if its a real film frame.


A true 35mm film frame from a print should have the sound stripe and look correct with it on the left. (if you look at it with the sound on the right the image is supossed to be backwards )

[DVDFreak]

I picked up the Aladdin gift set today as well. Only cost me C$27, which is just a little more than what the DVD by itself would sell for! It helps if you work at a place that sells DVDs and you get an employee discount

Anyways, I thought everything in the set was really cool, and I personally would rather have the contents of the gift set, than the lithos that came with the pre-sale at the Disney Store. Would have essentially cost me the same amount, but the book, the senitype and the cool box helped me make that easy decision. Plus, I own the Lion King gift set as well, so had to keep up with that!

One thing I noticed though, is that I didn't get a coupon book inside the DVD? Did anyone who bought the gift set, not get a coupon book? Anyone who did, can you tell me what coupons were inside it? If there's something I can use, then perhaps I might write to Disney, and ask if I can get a booklet, but if theres nothing I can use, then I won't bother.

Thanks!