Remember that recent acquisition made by the Walt Disney Company, no not Spider Man, but Buzz Lightyear. Pixar has turned out pretty good for Disney and the rest of the world knows it. Now John Lasseter and the team from Emeryville has been honored at… Read More »Pixar honored at Venice Film Festival
Tinker Bell returns this fall in a brand new adventure! Here’s a sneak peak of the first 6 minutes of Tink’s second film “Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure”. Queen Clarion’s fairies are all aflutter with the preparations for autumn. Tink’s got a new mission… Read More »Sneak Peak: Tinkerbell’s Second Film “Lost Treasure”
Disney Consumer Products is launching an new video series of John Lasseter taking fans behind-the-scenes of the new Toy Story Definitive toy line. It can only be seen on their Disney Living YouTube Channel and, of course, embedded here for your viewing pleasure. This seven… Read More »John Lasseter Talks new Toy Story Toy Collection
It’s hard to review Pete’s Dragon without conflating it with my youthful memories of being a Disney fan. I was 7 or 8 and remember wishing that I too had a dragon like Elliot. Somewhere along the way the film became closely tied to my feelings about Disney as an adult too. “Candle on the Water” has always been one of my favorite Disney songs. Plus, seeing the the Elliot float in Disneyland’s Main Street Electrical Parade always elicits a feeling of joy, because it’s such an amazing float (makes me want to shout “Brazzle Dazzle!” right now), and sadness because seeing Elliot always the parade was nearly over.
It goes without saying that Pete’s Dragon is a family friendly film everyone can enjoy. I watched it with my son and found him humming along to the songs even though he’d never seen the move before. For a film made in 1976 the effects are remarkably advanced, you’ll want to check out the special feature narrated by Pete (Sean Marshall) as he explains the history of Disney’s technical film wizardly that allows animation and live action to mix. This goes all the way back to Walt Disney’s first “Alice” shorts featuring Virginia Davis, who just passed away.
The combination of animation and live-action bring the magical friendship between Pete, a young orphan, and his unusual best friend to life in Pete’s Dragon High Flying Edition, now out on DVD from Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment. Adventure, comedy and soaring musical numbers will charmed children and adults alike. And there is nearly an hour of brand-new bonus features, including a look at Disney’s live action/animation legacy, alternate versions of some of the film’s most beloved songs and much more.
Pete’s Dragon was nominated for two Academy Awards (Best Music, Original Song and Best Music, Original Song Score and Its Adaptation or Best Score). The film boasts an extraordinary cast that includes Sean Marshall (“To Race the Wind”), Helen Reddy (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band), Mickey Rooney (Night at the Museum), Jeff Conaway (Grease), Shelley Winters (The Poseidon Adventure), Jim Dale (“Pushing Daisies”) and Red Buttons (“ER”), with Charlie Callas as the voice of Elliot the Dragon.
Also among the features is a classic Donald Duck short called “Lighthouse Keeping.” It features Donald, a crafty seagull, and a light house light that just won’t stay lit. I also really enjoyed the two excepts “Disney Family Album” and “The Plausible Impossible.” Always nice to see Walt Disney in his element entertaining the audience.
Follow below the jump for a complete list of features.
For those animation fans anxiously awaiting the return of Hand Drawn Animation (although now drawn on tablets instead of paper) to Walt Disney Animation Studios, check out Cartoon Brew TV where an exclusive behind-the-scenes clip of The Princess and the Frog is available courtesy of… Read More »Exclusive Preview of The Princess and the Frog at Cartoon Brew
Click image for full view For those looking for the next character meet and greet, keep an eye open for Princess Tiana. Tony Award winner Anika Noni Rose (left), who provides the voice of Disney’s newest princess, Tiana, in the upcoming Walt Disney Pictures animated… Read More »Princess Tiana times two, Disney preview’s newest character
Based On Popular Demand: Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment Extends Worldwide Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010 Exceptional Value, Quality & Versatility Included In The Purchase of Any Disney-Branded Blu-ray Disc BURBANK, Calif.— August 11, 2009 – In a time when price, quality and value… Read More »Disney Extends Blu-ray Combo Pack Efforts through December 2010
Over at Firstshowing.net they’ve found some more concept art from the 2010 release from Walt Disney Animation Studios – Rapunzel. It’s brilliant, go take a look. So much goodness coming from Disney over the next few years, I can’t wait.