Look. I’ll just say it straight out: If you’re an animation fan, you’ve gotta go buy a copy of the 10th anniversary “Toy Story” DVD.
“© Disney. All Rights Reserved.”
I know, I know. You probably already own a copy or two of this landmark Pixar Animation Studios film. Which is why you might (understandably) be reluctant to spring for yet another “Toy Story” DVD.
But honestly, folks, this 1995 picture has never looked better. More to the point, this 2-disc set features some all-new extras. Like when animation heavyhitters like Roy Disney, Hayao Miyazaki, Chris Wedge and Brad Bird discuss “Toy Story” ‘s legacy.
Or — better yet — when John Lasseter, Andrew Stanton, Pete Docter and the late Joe Ranft all sit down in the lobby of Pixar’s Emeryville studio and reminisce about what it was like to work on the world’s first ever full length computer animated feature.
Given that it’s been such a short time since Joe’s passing, I have to admit that it’s kind of strange to see him so prominently featured on this DVD. It almost feels like you’re intruding as you listen in on these four Pixar vets yucking it up about all the fun they had making “Toy Story.”
By the way, I don’t know if WDFA’s current management team is really going to appreciate that anecdote about how “Toy Story” only got better after the film’s production team decided that they were going to start ignoring some of the notes that Disney executives were giving them … But — man — am I glad that this story is included as part of this DVD set.
You know what else I’m glad is included as part of this 2-disc set? Another sneak preview of Pixar’s June 2006 release, “Cars.”
Now, I know. It’s become popular among Disneyana fans to grouse about John Lasseter’s next film. To say that the design of “Cars” characters is too derivative of Disney’s “Suzie the Little Blue Coup” and those Chevron commercials that Aardman Animation Ltd. produced.
Well, I say that you guys really need to take a closer look at this upcoming Pixar release. In this sneak preview, you get your first glimpse of the terrain that surrounds the picture’s primary setting, Radiator Flats. As you check out this buttes and plateaus, you realize that they all look like the hoods and/or the tail fins of classic cars from the 1940s and 1950s. Even the rock formation that’s located just outside of Radiator Springs looks just like a giant radiator cap.
This is just a hint at the level of detail that you can expect to find in this John Lasseter film. In fact, Lasseter himself serves as the host of this “Cars” sneak preview. And given how passionate this Pixar vet obviously is about this upcoming picture, it’s pretty clear that this is a very personal project. In fact, John makes it sound as if “Cars” means as much to him as the original “Toy Story” did.
Speaking of “Toy Story” : As Lasseter closes out his “Cars” preview, he mentions that “Toy Story II” will also soon be getting the DVD treatment. In fact, Buena Vista Home Entertainment is expected to release this 2-disc set to stores on December 26th.
“© Disney. All Rights Reserved.”
So a fond look back at a landmark computer animated film PLUS a sneak peek at Pixar Animation Studios’ next release. What’s not to like about the 10th anniversary “Toy Story” DVD? Which is why you might want to consider picking up a copy of this 2-disc set today.