Dad of Divas' Reviews: Alice in Wonderland on blu-ray & DVD

Thursday, January 20, 2011

Alice in Wonderland on blu-ray & DVD

 
ALICE IN WONDERLAND
60th Anniversary Special Edition

Premiering on Blu-ray Hi-Def And As A Movie Download on February 1, 2011


With interest in all things ALICE IN WONDERLAND at an all-time high following the record-breaking theatrical performance of Disney’s epic live-action fantasy adventure, Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment (WDSHE) proudly unveils aone-of-a-kind 60th Anniversary Special Edition of Walt Disney’s original animated version of the whimsical classic tale ALICE IN WONDERLAND on Blu-ray -- on February 1st, 2011.  Released just in time for Valentine’s Day, the 60th Anniversary Special Edition will be available across the country as a Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) for the suggested retail price of $39.99 in the US and $44.99 in Canada, a Standard Definition Movie Download for $29.99 in the US and $35.99 in Canada and High-Definition Movie Download for $39.99 in the US and $44.99 in Canada.

The new ALICE IN WONDERLAND 60th Anniversary Special Edition takes viewers on magical adventure like never before with a fantastically odd and fun-filled world of colorful characters in brilliant high-definition and crystal clearsound. Additionally, the disc comes specially-packed with never-before-seen footage hosted by Kathryn Beaumont, an all-new interactive game and more.

In the film, viewers can look forward to following Alice’s adventures as she chases the White Rabbit on a magical journey into the fantastical world of Wonderland. It’s a topsy-turvy place that gets “curiouser and curiouser” as Alice’s madcap adventures introduce her to some truly unforgettable characters – the Mad Hatter, March Hare, Tweedledee and Tweedledum, Cheshire Cat, the Queen of Hearts and more. It’s a great animated story that has pleased the eyes and ears of old and new generations alike.

The animated version of ALICE IN WONDERLAND still remains an all-time American-favorite to this day. Produced by Walt Disney himself and based primarily on Lewis Carroll's Alice's Adventures in Wonderland with a few additional elements from Through the Looking-Glass, the film was made complete with help from filmmakers Clyde Geronimi, Wilfred Jackson and Hamilton Luske (Cinderella, Peter Pan) and the voices of Kathryn Beaumont as Alice (also the voice of Wendy Darling in Peter Pan), Ed Wynn (Mary Poppin; Cinderella) as the Mad Hatter, J. Pat O’Malley (One Hundred and One Dalmatians; The Jungle Book) as Tweedledee and Tweeledum, Verna Felton (Cinderella; Sleeping Beauty; The Jungle Book) as Queen of Hearts, Sterling Holloway (The Jungle Book; Sleeping Bueaty; The Aristocats) as the Cheshire Cat , Richard Haydn (The Sound of Music; Young Frankenstein) as Caterpillar and Bill Thompson (Lady and the Tramp, Peter Pan; Sleeping Beauty) as the White Rabbit.

Walt Disney first created the idea of creating Lewis Carroll’s ALICE IN WONDERLAND book into a full-length animated movie back in 1923 when he was just a young twenty-one year filmmaker trying to make a name for himself. After more than 30-years in the making, and after four successful animated releases under his belt (i.e., Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Pinocchio, Fantasia and Bambi), Walt finally released his true vision for the animated film Alice in Wonderland.

This 60th Anniversary Edition Blu-ray release of ALICE IN WONDERLAND celebrates many of Walt’s accomplishments with this film showcasing its amazing artwork,spectacular songs and dazzling animation. And be sure to dive deeper into the rabbit hole and check-out all of its unique bonus features.

Film Synopsis:
ALICE IN WONDERLAND is a story about a young girl who grows bored listening to her older sister read aloud from a history book about William I of England. While dozing off, she dreams about falling down a rabbit hole (“Wonderland”) that is populated by a peculiar series of misadventures. The always sensible Alice whirls through a world of contradictions, imagination and surprises where she encounters amazing creatures - including a pocket watch-toting White Rabbit, the imperious Queen of Hearts and her army of playing cards, a Cheshire Cat with a lingering smile in an unforgettable fantasy, and the off-kilter Madhatter – and tests her sensibility and courage. In the end it’s all a dream, she is awakened by her sister’s voice, and as the two of them return home for teatime where she realizes that perhaps logic and reason exist for purpose. And in return, her sister realizes affectionatelythat Alice is still young, but will grow-up in time.

Blu-ray Disc Bonus Features:
Brand-New Blu-ray Features:
§  Disney View - Watch the movie in this expanded viewing experience with new Disney art in the wings of the screen.
§  Painting the Roses Red Game - Help paint the roses red in the Queen's garden.  Careful, or someone could lose their head.
§  Walt Disney Color TV Introduction (1959) - A never-before-seen color TV intro by Walt.
§  Reference Footage: Alice and the Doorknob - Kathryn Beaumont, the voice of Alice, provides an introduction to this newly discovered reference footage of Alice talking to the doorknob.
§  Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks - Kathryn Beaumont introduces a newly discovered pencil test of Alice shrinking.

Plus, Classic Features:
§  Thru the Mirror Mickey Mouse Animated Short (Now in Hi-Def)
§  Art Gallery (with new design and new images)
§  Reflections on Alice
§  Operation Wonderland (Now in Hi-Def)
§  One Hour in Wonderland
§  An Alice Comedy: Alice's Wonderland
§  Original Theatrical Trailers (1951 & 1974)
§  Walt Disney TV Introduction (1954 & 1964)
§  The Fred Waring Show (Excerpt)
§  Deleted Materials:
Ø  Deleted Scene: Pig and Pepper
Ø  From Wonderland to Neverland: The Evolution of a Song - An entertaining look at how a song originally written for Alice in Wonderland, finally found its home in another Disney favorite, Peter Pan.
Ø  Deleted Storyboard Concept: Alice Daydreams in the Park - Deleted storyboard sequence set to music.
Ø  Original Song Demos: "Beware The Jabberwock"; "Everything Has A Useness"; "So They Say"; "Beautiful Soup"; "Dream Caravan"; "If You'll Believe In Me"

Movie Download Bonus Features (SD & HD):
§  Pencil Test: Alice Shrinks
§  Thru The Mirror Mickey Mouse Animated Short
§  Reflections on Alice

DISC SPECIFICATIONS:
Street Date:                             February 1 2011
Direct Prebook:                                    December 7, 2010
Distributor Prebook:                  December 21, 2010
Suggested Retail Price:           Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) $39.99 U.S./ $44.99 Canada
Standard Definition Movie Download $29.99 U.S./$35.99 Canada
High-Definition Movie Download $39.99 U.S./$44.99 Canada
Feature Run Time:                  Approximately 75 minutes
Rated:                                      G
Aspect Ratio:                           1:33:1; Adjusted to fit 16x9 Television
Sound:                                     5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound, DisneyEnhanced Home Theater Mix, Original Theatrical Sound Track
Languages:                              English, French & Spanish
Subtitles:                                 French & Spanish

My Take on the DVD"Alice in Wonderland" is a great movie. I liked it when I was a child, and I continue to like it today. Seeing the movie in blu-ray simply clinches it as it truly makes the movie come to life! This movie, while not one of the most well known of Disney films, deserves a lot more that it has gotten in the past. The characters are memorable and the animation in the film takes the viewer into a dreamland of possibilities. This is the type of movie that you need to watch form a child's point of view, don't over-analyze! I also have to commend all of the special features on this combo pack...simply amazing!

All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not influenced in any way by the company.  Any product claim, statistic, quote or other representation about a product or service should be verified with the manufacturer or provider. Please refer to this site's Disclaimer  for more information. I have been compensated or given a product free of charge, but that does not impact my views or opinions.  
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
New to the Divadom?
Please Subscribe to my RSS Feed! Subscribe in a reader
Questions?Drop me a line at dadofdivas@gmail.com

No comments: