| Reviews & Columns |
|
Reviews DVD TV on DVD Blu-ray 4K UHD International DVDs In Theaters Reviews by Studio Video Games Features Collector Series DVDs Easter Egg Database Interviews DVD Talk Radio Feature Articles Columns Anime Talk DVD Savant Horror DVDs The M.O.D. Squad Art House HD Talk Silent DVD
|
 DVD Talk Forum |
|
|
| Resources |
|
DVD Price Search Customer Service #'s RCE Info Links |
|
Columns
  
 
|
|
|
Walt Disney Treasures: Mickey Mouse In Living Color
Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment // G // December 4, 2001
List Price: $32.99 [Buy now and save at Amazon]
The Movie:
If "Mickey In Living Color" is an indication of the rest of the sets, there really isn't much to say about this new series of "Walt Disney Treasures". Not that they're in any way lacking, mind you. They're simply quite straight-forward, from the beautiful tin that the double-disc set comes in to the content itself. This particular set includes Mickey Mouse's popular adventures from 1935-1938, spread out across two discs and including an introduction from Leonard Maltin.
The cartoons include:
• Parade of Award Nominees
• "The Band Concert"
• "Mickey's Garden"
• "Mickey's Fire Brigade"
• "Pluto's Judgment Day"
• "On Ice"
• "Thru the Mirror"
• "Mickey's Circus"
• "Mickey's Elephant"
• "Mickey's Grand Opera"
• "Mickey's Polo Team"
• "Alpine Climbers"
• "Moving Day"
• "Mickey's Rival"
• "Orphan's Picnic"
• Pencil Tests - "Mickey's Fire Brigade," "Pluto's Judgment Day," and "On Ice"
• Disc Two - 1937/38
• "Mickey in Living Color" with Leonard Maltin
• "Hawaiian Holiday"
• "Moose Hunters"
• "The Worm Turns"
• "Magician Mickey"
• "Mickey's Amateurs"
• "Clock Cleaners"
• "Lonesome Ghosts"
• "Mickey's Parrot"
• "Boat Builders"
• "The Whalers"
• "Mickey's Trailer"
• "Brave Little Tailor"
All of the tins are limited edition. This does not mean limited edition in the way that some of the Disney cartoons have been released; these are literally limited to 150,000 - the exact number each copy is is imprinted on the tin itself. Other studios should really use something similar to these tins with future box sets. There's been too many box sets lately that are released in cardboard slip-cases. The tins look nicer on the shelf and are certainly more sturdy.
The DVD
VIDEO: All of the cartoons shown here are offered in their original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratios. It looks as if Disney has either kept these cartoons in remarkable condition over the years or has done a fine job restoring them. Sharpness and detail are quite good, as the cartoons look crisp and fairly fresh.
Again, they also seemed in particularly good condition. The kind of print flaws that I expected to see are largely absent: there seemed to be very little (if any) specks or marks on the print used. On the other hand, there did seem to be some very light grain and dirt, but these flaws really didn't add up to anything particularly noticable or distracting. The lack of further blemishes really makes these a pleasure to watch - they look clean, crisp and natural. Nothing on the level of what Disney did with restoring "Snow White", but still quite impressive, nonetheless. No edge enhancement or pixelation was spotted.
Colors still looked suprisingly lively after all these years, appearing nicely saturated and bright. This is a nice effort from the studio, who has really shown fine treatment of their catalog of animated titles lately.
SOUND: All of the cartoons offer mono audio. These tracks were pleasing to listen to, but they weren't entirely terrific. General music and dialogue between characters could tend to sound a bit on the rough and thin side here and there, but I didn't find this to be too objectionable or uncomfortable to listen to. The soundtracks seem to have been cleaned/restored; there are no pops, hiss or other faults that I noticed.
MENUS: The menus are fairly basic, but do include a bit of music in the background (which might get a bit irritating if left on).
EXTRAS: Leonard Maltin hosts a "Pencil Tests" featurette, which can be found in the menu section for the 1935 features. After an introduction, we are shown full-length pencil tests for "Mickey's Fire Brigade", "Pluto's Judgement Day" and "On Ice". In addition, there is a fairly large image gallery on disc two, which includes posters, concept art and more, as well as an intro to the set by Leonard Maltin.
Final Thoughts: Although it may be a bit steep at $32.99, this particular "Walt Disney Treasures" set offers some real treasures in these rare Mickey Mouse cartoons, offered here with good, largely clean and crisp audio/video quality. There's not much in the way of supplements, but collectors will likely enjoy the opportunity to own these all in one two-disc set. The classy tins also make nice gifts. Recommended.
If "Mickey In Living Color" is an indication of the rest of the sets, there really isn't much to say about this new series of "Walt Disney Treasures". Not that they're in any way lacking, mind you. They're simply quite straight-forward, from the beautiful tin that the double-disc set comes in to the content itself. This particular set includes Mickey Mouse's popular adventures from 1935-1938, spread out across two discs and including an introduction from Leonard Maltin.
The cartoons include:
• Parade of Award Nominees
• "The Band Concert"
• "Mickey's Garden"
• "Mickey's Fire Brigade"
• "Pluto's Judgment Day"
• "On Ice"
• "Thru the Mirror"
• "Mickey's Circus"
• "Mickey's Elephant"
• "Mickey's Grand Opera"
• "Mickey's Polo Team"
• "Alpine Climbers"
• "Moving Day"
• "Mickey's Rival"
• "Orphan's Picnic"
• Pencil Tests - "Mickey's Fire Brigade," "Pluto's Judgment Day," and "On Ice"
• Disc Two - 1937/38
• "Mickey in Living Color" with Leonard Maltin
• "Hawaiian Holiday"
• "Moose Hunters"
• "The Worm Turns"
• "Magician Mickey"
• "Mickey's Amateurs"
• "Clock Cleaners"
• "Lonesome Ghosts"
• "Mickey's Parrot"
• "Boat Builders"
• "The Whalers"
• "Mickey's Trailer"
• "Brave Little Tailor"
All of the tins are limited edition. This does not mean limited edition in the way that some of the Disney cartoons have been released; these are literally limited to 150,000 - the exact number each copy is is imprinted on the tin itself. Other studios should really use something similar to these tins with future box sets. There's been too many box sets lately that are released in cardboard slip-cases. The tins look nicer on the shelf and are certainly more sturdy.
The DVD
VIDEO: All of the cartoons shown here are offered in their original 1.33:1 full-frame aspect ratios. It looks as if Disney has either kept these cartoons in remarkable condition over the years or has done a fine job restoring them. Sharpness and detail are quite good, as the cartoons look crisp and fairly fresh.
Again, they also seemed in particularly good condition. The kind of print flaws that I expected to see are largely absent: there seemed to be very little (if any) specks or marks on the print used. On the other hand, there did seem to be some very light grain and dirt, but these flaws really didn't add up to anything particularly noticable or distracting. The lack of further blemishes really makes these a pleasure to watch - they look clean, crisp and natural. Nothing on the level of what Disney did with restoring "Snow White", but still quite impressive, nonetheless. No edge enhancement or pixelation was spotted.
Colors still looked suprisingly lively after all these years, appearing nicely saturated and bright. This is a nice effort from the studio, who has really shown fine treatment of their catalog of animated titles lately.
SOUND: All of the cartoons offer mono audio. These tracks were pleasing to listen to, but they weren't entirely terrific. General music and dialogue between characters could tend to sound a bit on the rough and thin side here and there, but I didn't find this to be too objectionable or uncomfortable to listen to. The soundtracks seem to have been cleaned/restored; there are no pops, hiss or other faults that I noticed.
MENUS: The menus are fairly basic, but do include a bit of music in the background (which might get a bit irritating if left on).
EXTRAS: Leonard Maltin hosts a "Pencil Tests" featurette, which can be found in the menu section for the 1935 features. After an introduction, we are shown full-length pencil tests for "Mickey's Fire Brigade", "Pluto's Judgement Day" and "On Ice". In addition, there is a fairly large image gallery on disc two, which includes posters, concept art and more, as well as an intro to the set by Leonard Maltin.
Final Thoughts: Although it may be a bit steep at $32.99, this particular "Walt Disney Treasures" set offers some real treasures in these rare Mickey Mouse cartoons, offered here with good, largely clean and crisp audio/video quality. There's not much in the way of supplements, but collectors will likely enjoy the opportunity to own these all in one two-disc set. The classy tins also make nice gifts. Recommended.
|
| Popular Reviews |
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Sponsored Links |
|
|
| Release List | Reviews | Shop | Newsletter | Forum | DVD Giveaways | Blu-Ray | Advertise |
|
Copyright 2024 DVDTalk.com All Rights Reserved. Legal Info, Privacy Policy, Terms of Use,
Manage Preferences,
Your Privacy Choices 
| |||||||