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[Naked Snake]

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/549/549036p1.html

The Movie
All the usual Disney elements are there, but it's just one step short of being truly great. 8

The Video
Another perfect transfer for a Disney animation classic. 10

The Audio
Near perfect special Dolby Digital mix. 9

The Extras
Excellent documentary, much better than The Lion King's collection. 10

Overall Score 9

The only question is, should I get the DVD only for $21, or the Gift Set for $42? Can't decide!

 

[SentientStone]

I will be getting this right when it comes out!
I haven't seen Aladdin in a long time.

 

[B'z-chan]

Get the giftset its worth it. one step closer to the little mermaid. Aladdin will get lots of play in my DVD player.

 

[Naked Snake]

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

I'm just getting the normal DVD. I have no use for that other stuff. It'd just be clutter.

 

[ohamsie]

what all is in the giftset that isn't in the special edition?

 

[Naked Snake]

what all is in the giftset that isn't in the special edition?

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/491/491132p1.html

- All-new sketches by the original animators.

- An actual film frame from the movie.

- DVD Companion Book: Experience the magic behind this animated masterpiece.

plus a sketchbook from the animators, an actual frame cel from the movie and a DVD companion book

Doesn't seem like anything I can't live without, and I never bought a gift set edition for any other Disney film, but I REALLY love Aladdin, so I'm very tempted to get this.

 

[J2 Cool]

http://dvd.ign.com/articles/491/491132p1.html

- All-new sketches by the original animators.

- An actual film frame from the movie.

- DVD Companion Book: Experience the magic behind this animated masterpiece.



Doesn't seem like anything I can't live without, and I never bought a gift set edition for any other Disney film, but I REALLY love Aladdin, so I'm very tempted to get this.

I got the Lion King one and am tempted to go all out on the disney love and get all the gift sets they put out. Problem being Im broke but.. Sketches were real cool for the Lion King and I love the simple but definitve box art over the regular packaging

 

[Solid]

I'm getting the normal edition as well. Can't wait for it. I haven't seen the movie in 10 years or so.

 

[BarneyBP]

The Lion King gift set was deffinitely worth it. I wish they had gone all out for Beauty and the Beast and Snow White like they did Lion King and Aladdin :-(

 

[impirius]

"Where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense, it's barbaric, but hey it's home."

WHAT?

Do the guards carry walkie-talkies instead of swords, too?

 

[FoneBone]

WHAT?

Do the guards carry walkie-talkies instead of swords, too?

Welcome to, like, 11 years ago. Wasn't that change made in the first video release?

 

[Stele]

Are they doing a special edition with Fox and the Hound? That's probably the only one I'll care to get on DVD besides Lion King that I already bought.

 

[Chipopo]

what are the original lyrics?

 

[jiggle]

Where they cut off your ear if they dont like your face, its barbaric but hey it's home.

 

[Stele]

lol

 

[BobbyRobby]

I think I have to get this. Best soundtrack in a Disney Movie ever, IMO.

 

[DDayton]

What's this thing with walkie talkies and guns? I've heard a few references to it..

 

[Chipopo]

What's this thing with walkie talkies and guns? I've heard a few references to it..

In the Special Edition of ET, Spielberg replaced all the guns that the police officers had at the end of the movie with walkie talkies

 

[andthebeatgoeson]

What's up with Best Buy not allowing you to pickup a online preorder item? It's trying to force me to ship the fucker.

 

[impirius]

Welcome to, like, 11 years ago. Wasn't that change made in the first video release?

Beats me, but it wasn't on the soundtrack, which my little brother played ad nauseum way back when. This is the first time I've ever heard of the new lyrics.

I didn't know about it because I didn't have GAF to inform me of such atrocities.

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

Disney has been really lame about those changes. I figured they'd revert back to the originals on the DVDs, but it's not happened... Same thing with the black centaurs on Fantasia. I guess it would offend people, but I still think it should be kept intact.

 

[Saturnman]

I think I have to get this. Best soundtrack in a Disney Movie ever, IMO.

Common mistake. Beauty and the Beast is better. Sorry if you didn't know.

 

[ManaByte]

Disney has been really lame about those changes. I figured they'd revert back to the originals on the DVDs, but it's not happened... Same thing with the black centaurs on Fantasia. I guess it would offend people, but I still think it should be kept intact.

It's the Song of the South issue. Roy Disney wants to release it, and Leonard Maltin wants it out and has promised to do a long introduction "documentary" on the movie to explain the cultural context in which it was made at the time (like the AWESOME Wartime Disney shorts they just release), but Maya Angelou has promised to go on a nationwide crusade against Disney if they ever even think of pulling it from the vault.

As such, Disney is scared to death to let anything even remotely offensive out there due to the fear of some famous activist sparking a lynching of the company.

In the Special Edition of ET, Spielberg replaced all the guns that the police officers had at the end of the movie with walkie talkies

I have the incredible limited edition LaserDisc boxed set of E.T., which was released something like a decade before the Special Edition, and on it is a excellent documentary where the 80's Spielberg (long hair and all) says something along the lines "If I ever get the chance to revisit E.T., I want to remove the guns as I don't feel they have a place in what I want to be a harmless movie for children". Not an exact quote, but it's interesting that he's saying it on a documentary that was made more than ten years before he actually did it.

Back to the DVD in the topic...

Even cooler than Aladdin, the DVD has a listing of other Platinum releases and next year Bambi comes out. I'm really looking forward to that release because as with The Lion King, the Bambi LD was one of the best of the Disney boxed sets.

Common mistake. Beauty and the Beast is better. Sorry if you didn't know.

Better movie and soundtrack, yes. I really enjoy Aladdin, but B&B is the better movie.

 

[Jesiatha]

Beats me, but it wasn't on the soundtrack, which my little brother played ad nauseum way back when. This is the first time I've ever heard of the new lyrics.

I didn't know about it because I didn't have GAF to inform me of such atrocities.

The soundtrack came out at the same time as the movie, and had the original lyrics.

All home releases of the movie have the updated version.

 

[belgurdo]

It's the Song of the South issue. Roy Disney wants to release it, and Leonard Maltin wants it out and has promised to do a long introduction "documentary" on the movie to explain the cultural context in which it was made at the time (like the AWESOME Wartime Disney shorts they just release), but Maya Angelou has promised to go on a nationwide crusade against Disney if they ever even think of pulling it from the vault.

As such, Disney is scared to death to let anything even remotely offensive out there due to the fear of some famous activist sparking a lynching of the company.

Speaking of which, where did the whole subplot of that movie come from, anyway? Was that an actual part of the original books (since I think they had a lof segues of Remus talking to people too) or just Disney pandering to a particular audience?

 

[Dan]

Even cooler than Aladdin, the DVD has a listing of other Platinum releases and next year Bambi comes out. I'm really looking forward to that release because as with The Lion King, the Bambi LD was one of the best of the Disney boxed sets.

Platinum Editions of Bambi and Cinderella are due in March and October 2005, respectively. Then I believe Special Editions of Pocahontas and Lilo & Stitch are due at some point. Apparently foreign release dates for those are already confirmed. Plus the Mulan special edition is out in late October. Disney's starting to really pump these out.

Now I'm off to spend $40-50 on Snow White, because I stupidly procrastinated on buying it.

 

[Rlan]

I'll be getting this:

And Supposedly Pocahontas, Mulan and Mary Poppins are coming out the same day in Australia, 10th of November 2004. might be a mistake though. Lilo & Stitch SE is coming in Australia a week and a day later, Nov 18th. Doesn't look like there is much new on this edition though.

Are these Special Editions the 'definitive' editions like Lion King and Aladdin? They aren't going to re-re-release Mulan and Pocahontas later on as definitive are they?

 

[neptunes]

nothing beats going to the theater to watch it opening weekend. What an experiance that was,

..(sigh).. I wish I could go back.

 

[Dan]

Are these Special Editions the 'definitive' editions like Lion King and Aladdin? They aren't going to re-re-release Mulan and Pocahontas later on as definitive are they?

I can't imagine they'll release anything more definitive... not on DVD at least. The big Platinum releases are saved for their most beloved films, and Pocahontas and Mulan don't quite qualify.

 

[Ronin]

nothing beats going to the theater to watch it opening weekend. What an experiance that was,

..(sigh).. I wish I could go back.

Word.

 

[Memles]

Are these Special Editions the 'definitive' editions like Lion King and Aladdin? They aren't going to re-re-release Mulan and Pocahontas later on as definitive are they?

I'm still bitter that the Special Edition of my most recent Disney favorite, Lilo and Stitch, is being released everywhere else before NA.

Mulan and Pocahontas are both getting 2-Disc Special editions, which will be as definitive as they will get.

 

[AniHawk]

What was it changed from?

I watched the movie yesterday (I didn't even know this thread was up), and I have to say... it holds up quite well. There were some jokes I hadn't caught when I was 7, and the songs were still great, but it's not as good as I remember it.

On the other hand, I caught a showing of The Hunchback of Notre Dame on TV on Friday, and I was surprised at how much more I enjoyed it- the songs, the villain, the main characters, but I hated the gargoyles. When I first saw the movie, I disliked it since there were so little jokes, and it was so dark. Upon rewatching it, I am disappointed they decided to include the gargoyles as cheap comic relief (but hey, they had to keep the kids interested somehow).

 

[Semjaza Azazel]

Hunchback is good, I don't love it, but it's good. What really wins me over every time is how freaking gorgeous it is, though. There are some really amazing things onscreen at times.

 

[border]

but Maya Angelou has promised to go on a nationwide crusade against Disney if they ever even think of pulling it from the vault.

Do you have a link or anything? I would expect a violent reaction from ignorant "advocacy" groups, but as an author and academic it seems like Angelou would be smart enough to understand the importance and significance of African-American folk tales.

 

[AniHawk]

Hunchback is good, I don't love it, but it's good. What really wins me over every time is how freaking gorgeous it is, though. There are some really amazing things onscreen at times.

Oh yeah, the art was amazing in the movie. I still never found Belle in the movie (since she had a small cameo appearance in the movie). Tony Jay did a great job as Frollo, and I really love "Bells of Notre Dame" and "Hellfire." Good stuff.

 

[Naked Snake]

I've never seen Hunchback, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Pocahontas... wait it gets worse... Little Mermaid, Bambi... I think I better stop

 

[Memles]

Hunchback's soundtrack is sitting 3 feet away from me right now (REALLY small dorm room) and I should probably give it a listen...it's been a long time.

 

[Makura]

Beauty and the Beast was Disney's last great film. Things started to go downhill after that IMO.

 

[AniHawk]

I've never seen Hunchback, Beauty and the Beast, Mulan, Pocahontas... wait it gets worse... Little Mermaid, Bambi... I think I better stop

The only one on that list which is probably not worth it is Pocahontas. I don't remember liking it much at all (and Hunchback coming after Pocahontas might be part of why I hated Hunchback back in the day too).

I can barely remember anything about Bambi after the first half of the film.

 

[Red Dolphin]

I'll be getting this:

And Supposedly Pocahontas, Mulan and Mary Poppins are coming out the same day in Australia, 10th of November 2004. might be a mistake though. Lilo & Stitch SE is coming in Australia a week and a day later, Nov 18th. Doesn't look like there is much new on this edition though.

Are these Special Editions the 'definitive' editions like Lion King and Aladdin? They aren't going to re-re-release Mulan and Pocahontas later on as definitive are they?

I haven't seen the third Aladdin movie but I though tthe second movie sucked arse. Didn't even have Robbin Williams as the genie!

 

[Tritroid]

I'll be getting this:

And Supposedly Pocahontas, Mulan and Mary Poppins are coming out the same day in Australia, 10th of November 2004. might be a mistake though. Lilo & Stitch SE is coming in Australia a week and a day later, Nov 18th. Doesn't look like there is much new on this edition though.

Are these Special Editions the 'definitive' editions like Lion King and Aladdin? They aren't going to re-re-release Mulan and Pocahontas later on as definitive are they?

Yep, that's what I'm after.

The animation in the sequels obviously isn't as great as the original movie (per tradition with ALL Disney animated sequels ) but the stories were pretty good, and overall they were entertaining. Williams not being in Return of Jafar was a let down imo, but at least he returns for King of Thieves.

 

[Naked Snake]

I really enjoyed The Return of Jafar, watched it numerous times back in the day with my best friend, never saw the 3rd one though.

 

[Tritroid]

I really enjoyed The Return of Jafar, watched it numerous times back in the day with my best friend, never saw the 3rd one though.

King of Thieves shits all over Return of Jafar. The animation is 10 x better (mainly because the animators had tons and tons of practice with the series by this time) and Robin Williams doing the Genie again just adds a lot that was missing from RoJ. Plus, we get to see Jasmine and Aladdin finally get married!!11one.

 

[Escape Goat]

!!11one.

:lol

 

[Penguin]

I don't know why, I'm watching the movie now, and I just had the urge to comment on this part of the review.

It's something that has irked me since i first read it.

Plus, the narrator in the beginning is never brought back to finalize the story, which is a rare moment of inconsistency from Disney.

If I'm not mistaken doesn't the narrator come back at the end of King of thieves to close out the trilogy?

That to me shows more consistency since the story wasn't done yet.

 

[border]

Well, when Aladdin was made I don't think that Disney was in the mode that they are in now, with all these lameass straight-to-video sequel cash-ins. I doubt that Aladdin was conceived as any sort of trilogy at the time....though that will certainly be up for debate.

IIRC, Aladdin was the first Disney film to have a straight-to-video sequel....

 

[Timbuktu]

Well, I've watched the DVDs and listened to the making of stuff, and there are hours of it and two commentary tracks and they said that Aladdin was never concieved to have sequels but they think the sequels work well because the ending in the first one leaves a lot of possibilities. The narrator was supposed to come back at the end of the first movie and reveal himself as the genie, but in the screen tests the audience were already getting up to leaving where the movie ends now so they shaved the last scene off.

They've talked about all the issues you guys have asked, including the balcony scene, which they denied and said that the voice actor did some add-lip and it was something like '...be a nice cat, go off' and not 'teenagers take your clothes off' as rumour had it. But the DVD had that bit redubbed anyway. Other than that, the film is just like the original. It's a perfect special edition IMO, watching this just made me think of what could have been with The Lion King set.

 

[Idle Will Kill]

One Disney film that never really gets mentioned but was pretty damn sweet is "The Emperor's New Groove."

And for the record, "Aladdin" is easily Disney's best animated film.

 

[DDayton]

Beauty and the Beast and The Little Mermaid are amazing in that a new generation actually managed to surpass Walt's own teams.

Hunchback of Notre Dame is one of my favorites, though... although I think it might be primarily because of the music. Hunchback and Aladdin are much more "guy" films.