Animation Source Forums

Ugh . . . this just disturbs me without any end. (WARNING: slight rant, but it's focused on animated films)

First there was the re-release of Lady and the Tramp 2 last year (not too bad of a film, but the original's better) and a few others from a while back (TLK2 being one of them); now it seems normal for the Disney Studios to re-release sequels (some worse than others) and -- get this! To make them seem special, they get the "Special Edition" treatment! (not that it makes the films any better, but meh.)

I've already heard that the sequel to Peter Pan, "Return to Neverland" (which was actually pretty good for its set timeframe . . . and a well-designed follow-up to the Disney classic) is being re-released later this year; and just today, I learned that (IMO) the worst Disney DTV (direct-to-video) sequel is coming back to DVD: Cinderella 2.

*screams in a high-pitched tone for a few seconds, then returns to normal*

Yes, I know that Disney's continuing to milk its DTV sequel cash-cow still, but when will enough be enough? Sure, the second releases of Scamp's Adventure and Simba's Pride were okay (still missing lots of good stuff that would have been a huge improvement from its initial releases) and the film quality has improved, but is it really worth it in the end?

I'll admit it: Most of the time, I like the first releases of DTVs (I have RtNL (VHS & DVD), L&tT2 (DVD), and TLK2 (VHS) from when they first came out!) . . . especially when I find them in a used DVD bin or something! But the new versions may have better menus and all, but you're still getting the same movie. Maybe a (slightly) better picture, but ultimately, the same movie. Sure, the new versions have additional goodies (like commentaries, trailers, making-of inserts, and the such), both useful and pointless (anything dealing with DVD games (who actually has the nerves to play them nowadays?), sing-alongs, DVD storybooks, and pointless other stuff that makes no connection to the said film).

Anywho, what do you guys think about this?

Please, no "pointless, two-worded comments" or anything that makes no sense to the topic. Thanks.

- Juuchan17

Well, I think they did do that for some of the classic films . . . especially the ones that are lucky enough to get the Platinum Edition treatment (like "The Jungle Book" is in less than a month from now . . . Hurrah.). The Special Editions aren't that well done, but they are usually an improvement from the original release.

Also, I know they have Anniversary Editions too (sometimes they kill two birds with one stone, like with the PE Lady & the Tramp . . . which was released to commemorate its 60th Anniversary), but they're mostly bare bones or not as meaty as PE are.

FYI: PE = Platinum Edition ; SE = Special Edition

- Juuchan17

If you ask me, I tend to prefer single disc editions to two-disc ones. It's surprising how much you can cram onto one disc, and most of that is actually useful stuff like trailers, commentaries, deleted scenes etc. Often, the second disc just has the movie in storyboard format and other pointless stuff.

I wonder why Disney re-releases their pointless money-maing sequels. It's not like anyone's going to buy Aladdin 1562 just because it's labeled as a 'Special Edition.' Films like The Aristocats and The Rescuers truly deserve Special Editions (which they STILL haven't recieved yet ), not cheap cash-ins that ruin classics more and more each time. The only sequel that deserves this kind of treatment is LK2, one of the few Disney sequels I find enjoyable.

You have a point. It's more milk for the Disney cash cow. MOO.

I do believe the Aristocats has a SP in the works, but the date is only set for 2008 . . . so is 101 Dalmatians (the animated one - and its 2nd DVD release) and yet another Sleeping Beauty (now a PE . . . same for 101 Dalmatians. Dang, I just got my copy of the original SB two-disc release . . . and it's fine the way it is.)!

Wow . . . but at least the Jungle Book release last week (which I bought when it came out) was worth the money. The last DVD release of it was total "bare-bones" - no bonuses at all!). So I guess not all SE/PE releases are all that bad . . .

- Juuchan17

Tell me.were Cinderella II and III really necessary?I seem to think so,how about you? ~~S/B

I actually don't mind re-releases and the only reason why is in case something good gets re-released. Although a lot of them get pointless new features like games and stuff that nobody watches.

Aristocats should get an SE, I have it on VHS and the quality isn't the best, same with 101 Dalmatians. But if they're getting started on them over there, who knows how long it'll take to appear on my shelves...

I admit to liking the two Cinderella sequels a little bit!

But anyway, re-releases of most Disney sequels would be totally unnecessary, I agree. Except I would have liked a better, more in-depth bonus section on the Fox & the Hound 2 DVD, for one. I don't want to play some silly little games, I want to see interesting behind-the-scenes-of-the-movie stuff!

IMO, Cindy 3 made up for the mistake of even making a Cindy 2.

I literally wanted to kick Cindy 2 in the crotch, I hated it so much. However, I was interested in Anastasia's story about falling in love . . . which leads to Cindy3. That was the only thing worth watching on Cindy2.

But I think the only other reason to re-release C2 was for people who have the other two releases (Cinderella SE and the recent C3) to get the middle of the trilogy . . . especially since it's out of print in many places (which surprises me).

Heck, I'd only get it for the Disney Movie Rewards points . . . but I digress.

Anywho, back to the subjects . . . .

Letranger: I agree. It would have been nice to see some possible extra stuff for F&H2, espeically since I liked the character development between Cash and Dixie . . . not so much for Tod and Copper. The same goes for Brother Bear 2 (which was a total disappointment in extras, if you ask me. Maybe some sort of a talk with the writers or voice actors in it would be nice . . . please?).

And yeah, the recent slew of DVD gaming on those discs suck. What do they think we fans are: babies? Gah, even a baby would rather sleep than play some craptactular game on their TV. (that's what game systems are for . . . there better anyway!)

However, the only release that I've seen that I would say is amazing would have to be the Lady and the Tramp PE. The little puppy game on DVD-ROM was adorable . . . as is the commentaries and extra things that truly were worth it. Now if every other DVD release were this good, it would be so worth the money!

Get a clue, Universal/Disney/etc.!

- Juuchan17

-Yes, I enjoyed seeing Anastasia fall in love with the baker, too. My favorite part of Cinderella II was actually the first story, because I liked Prudence and her little implied romance with the Grand Duke. Other than for those two things...C2 was awful.

I've never watched either Brother Bear movie, but I completely agree with you about the sort of extra features we're really interested in, and the fact that Dixie and Cash were the real stars of TFATH2!

Oh, and the Lady & the Tramp PE is amazing! I'm so glad I bought that. (I also bought the full Disney Dogs Blue Ribbon Challenge DVD game when it came out...it's cute. xD)

Agreed. I did like the fact that Prudence returned in Cindy3, but she was good comedic relief for the one actual scene she was in. Heck, I doubt anyone except for people who saw Cindy2 even knew who she was. (especially because you had to watch the sequel in order to actually understand her place in the palace)

Anastasia + the Baker = LUV. That was the only really nice touch throughout the whole thing. Besides, the fact that a once ugly stepsister could change so much over the jealously of Cinderella getting a happy ending with love is the best thing ever. Seriously, I'm glad the ending of Cindy3 mentioned it; Anastasia deserved a happy ending in the end too.

Cindy2 = worst Disney sequel ever. Heck, I thought Pom-Pom (the white royal cat) would be in Cindy3, especially with her whole thing with Lucifer, but I guess some characters never change. (Actually, she was in a painting during one of the scenes with the King and the nameless Prince . . . I think it was when he was talking about his mother, the Queen) *sigh*

[
Yes, yes, yes . . . . Step aside, Tod and Copper; Cash and Dixie just stole your show! LOL

I highly recommend the first Brother Bear movie; it's much better than the sequel . . . which was just a sloppy attempt to get the main character a love interest. The animation's not bad, but the story and character development could have used some work.

No offense, but the Lady and the Tramp PE, IMO, is the best DVD Disney has released to date. The film is well done, the restoration of the picture and sound are perfect, and the extras . . . . Gosh, they're better than anything I've seen so far. It's not just for kids - Sure, it has the "Dog Blue Ribbon Challenge" demo and the "Train your Puppy" DVD-ROM game, but the Walt Disney specials, photo gallery and other documentaries are informative and interesting to watch (especially when it talks about the original story that became the basis of "Lady and the Tramp". Who would have thunk it?).

Probably the next best PE would have to be the Aladdin PE (especially if you have the gift set to go with it; if you don't you're not missing much, but it's worth it if you can find a copy). The deleted scenes and the song were a nice touch, not to mention the commentaries, documentaries, and other bonus features. One of the best out there.

- Juuchan17

Yes, yes, and yes!
I was surprised and glad to see Prudence turn up in the third one, but like you said, she was nothing more than comic relief in that one scene and then...after one more brief appearance...disappeared. She looked completely different (and older, I thought), and anyoen who *didn't* see the second probably wouldn't have understood exactly who she was.
But yes, the idea of one of the ugly stepsisters being redeemed and finding love herself was absolutely beautiful and I applaud them for doing it.

I do think Pom Pom may have been in that painting you mentioned. (ETA: Never mind, it may actually have just been a little white dog in the painting and not Pom Pom after all. :/) But again, nobody'd know who she was without having watched the second sequence of the second film--which was my least favorite. I was waiting for a painting during the end credits that had Prudence and the Grand Duke, or at least just Prudence, but no such luck...and the two together wouldn't make sense yet because her part of the third one was rewound and actually happened BEFORE the second movie, and....GAH!! x_x;; XD I'm mixing myself up but you get the point...at least I hope...

Sadly I don't own the Aladdin PE either but I completely agree about the LATT one. I had a blast watching all the special features! All the old documentaries and facts and concept art and everything were fascinating. I was sure glad I bought that DVD set, as a long-time fan of the movie.